REPORT OF ALASKA INVESTIGATIONS. 153 



isolation of the village makes its greatest need a wireless station. The nearest point of wireless com- 

 munication is the Unalga Island wireless station, or the Kodiak wireless station, each of which is 300 miles 

 away. During the summer a vessel calls there every month, but during the winter sometimes two months 

 elapse without a call from the mail boat. This lack of communication was forcibly impressed on me by 

 the fact that a ship that needed help last summer, because of difficulty with the crew, might have com- 

 municated readily with this island and received help sooner than it did had there been a wireless station 

 there. 



REINDEER. 



In western Alaska, where fresh food is scarce and where the Aleuts are really suffering because many 

 former opportunities for making a livelihood are no longer available, there is nothing that will fill the 

 need better than reindeer herds. Everywhere that I came in contact with places where they were estab- 

 lished they appeared as a great blessing to these people and will really mean their chief dependence later. 

 It is earnestly hoped that the Government will place a herd of these valuable animals on every island 

 inhabited by Aleuts where there is subsistence for them. This is real constructive work. 



GENERAL SUMMARY. 



In the foregoing report it has been my aim to bring out forcibly the main issues and needs in con- 

 nection with the fisheries and fur-bearing animals of Alaska, including affairs pertaining to the Pribilof 

 Islands. Attention has also been called briefly to a few highly important needs of the Territory, some 

 of which are but indirectly related to the primary subjects of my investigation. I have endeavored to 

 view all matters from the standpoint of a practical business man, seeking only to suggest simple and 

 direct methods of correcting any existing evils or practices observed, and at the same time to indicate 

 proper needs and ways and means for building up and expanding Alaska's interests as circumstances may 

 permit. 



The fact must be thoroughly understood and emphasized, however, that if the laws made by Congress 

 relative to the protection and upbuilding of these resources are to be enforced it is absolutely essential 

 that adequate appropriations be made. It must also be borne in mind that the Government will derive 

 from the fishing interests concerned in this economic and commercial expansion sufficient revenue in 

 fishery taxes and licenses to justify adequate appropriations for their full and undivided support. 



The sum herein asked for to cover vessels, increased personnel, and other needs during the coming 

 year amounts to $218,000. This sum would be largely offset by receipts from increased taxes and license 

 fees, estimated under proposed schedules to be about $325,000 annually, of which it is further recommended 

 that 30 per cent should revert to the protection of the fisheries of Alaska. 



RECOMMENDATIONS. 



The following recommendations are submitted: 



1. That full control of the fisheries and fur-bearing animals be vested in the Department of Com- 

 merce. There should be no division of this authority with other Federal departments or with the Terri- 

 torial government. 



2. That Alaska be divided into five districts for administrative purposes. 



3. That herring and the edible portions of other food fishes be not used in the manufacture of fer- 

 tilizer and oil and that all plants at present operating contrary to this requirement be closed at once. 



4. That there be a just and fair revision of the schedule of taxes on fishery products. 



5. That a license tax be imposed upon all fishing gear. 



6. That, in addition to present appropriations, 30 per cent of the license fees and taxes revert to the 

 protection of the fisheries. 



7. That markers or monuments be established by the Government to fix the mouth of each salmon 

 stream. 



8. That all power-boat trolling be forbidden. 



9. That the customs authorities refuse to issue manifests for shipments of fishery products from 

 Alaska until the tax has been paid. 



10. That falls and other natural barriers in certain streams be removed. 



