2666 AWARD OP THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



Q. The vessels then oat were allowed to come in ; they had their poli- 

 cies renewed or extended ? A. Yes. 



Q. At certain rates ? A. Yes ; increased rates. 



Q. Now, turning to page 384, you are asked and answer as follows : 



Q. What would you be prepared to say to-day is the profit they make on supplies 

 furnished to the families of fishermen ? A. About ten per cent. 



Q. Not more than that ? A. It would not be over that. 



Q. You know that sometimes they lose the supplies ? A. I know they do. 



Q. And don't they make sufficient profit to cover all that ? A. I don't think they 

 do. 



Q. You think they are not shrewd enough men to make the charge sufficient to in- 

 sure them against loss ? A. They might. 



Q. What do you mean by that ? A. Well, I mean this, that some 

 might do it. 



Q. Now, do they in point of fact, do the Gloucester merchants charge 

 interest on the cash they advance to the families of seamen ! A. I 

 don't think they do. 



Q. Did you ever know an instance in which it was done ! A. No. 



Q. It might be and you not know it, but your opinion is that they 

 do not ? A. Yes. 



Q. Why is it that they do not ? Is the period long ? A. No ; not as 

 a general thing. 



Q. And do you think they charge any more than the retail prices ? 

 A. They do not. 



Q. So as far as the families are concerned, the profits are the differ- 

 ence between retail and wholesale ? Now is there any public opinion 

 that bears on that sort of thing ? A. Yes ; I think if any vessel-owner 

 was to take advantage of the families of the crew, he would not get 

 crews to go for him. 



Q. The fishermen, of course, find out about it when they get home ? 

 A. Yes ; they very soon know. 



Q. They are not obliged to go for the same owners again ? A. No. 



Q. It is for the interest of the owners, where there is so much com- 

 petition, to treat the men well ? A. Yes. 



Q. Now there is another inquiry : 



Q. Would yon put the four leading men in Gloucester down at worth from $20,000 

 to $30,000 each? A. I don't think anybody in the fishing business in Gloucester is 

 worth over $30,000. 



Q. Do you mean to include the money made outside the fishing busi- 

 ness ? A. No. 



Q. Now as to Mr. Steele's property ; it only goes to the value of your 

 opinion and does not affect your credit, but I want that put right. I 

 think you said Mr. Steele's property was taxed at $20,000. Now state 

 what the assessment is based on according to Massachusetts law. Is it 

 not on what property would sell at for cash f A. Yes. 



Q. Rot sold on credit ? It does not of course mean a forced sale, but 

 with reasonable notice. Now, you speak of his having nine vessels run- 

 ning and put them at an average of $5,000 ! A. Yes. 



Q. Now, do you think that is a proper sum to put in making up the 

 account between Mr. Steele and his 'own vessels! A. I do. 



Q. What do you think those nine vessels or any one of them would 

 have sold for this year in cash, the sale being made at Gloucester with 

 reasonable time and notice ? Would thev bring anything like $5,000 t 

 A. No. 



Q. It would be difficult to determine! A. Yes. 



Q. The number put on the market affects the price? A. Yes. 



