274 THE SEALSKIN INDUSTRY. 



Loss to France, skins annually purchased by this firm cost $25 

 per skin in London/ the total cost would be 

 about 2,500,000 francs; and the annual loss to 

 France through this firin's business being affected 

 by the destruction of the Alaskan seal herd 

 would be about 1,500,000 francs; as there are 

 other fur companies in France also dealing in 

 sealskins the loss would undoubtedly be much 

 more than the figures given. 

 LosstotiiGAYorki. Simply relying, however, upon the actual loss 

 sustained, as hereinbefore demonstrated, and 

 adding the $3.00 per skin allowed as expenses 

 paid the employtis of the lessees of the Pribolof 

 Islands, transportation, etc., amounting on 100,000 

 skins to $300,000, the total annual loss to the 

 world from the destruction of this great seal herd 

 would amount to over $5,000,000. Besides this 

 a large number of persons employed by furriers 

 and fur houses would be thrown out of employ- 

 ment, and the three hundred natives of the 

 Pribilof Islands would be deprived of their sole 

 means of sustenance, and become a charge upon 

 the United States Government. 



Nepfi of regular Jt is the further testimoiiv of all those en^-aged 



supply of skius. "^ o o 



in the sealskin business that in order to main- 

 tain the industry it is necessary that the supply 



1 statement of American furriers, Vol. II, p. 526. 



