184 INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 



Absolutely necessary for success it is to proceed in a businesslike and 

 S3"steniatif way, and to that end 1 make the following suggestions: 



(1) That a number of natives, whom we know to be honest and capa- 

 ble and willing to forward the exportation of reindeer into Alaska, be 

 selected to act as agents for the United States Government to Iniy 

 deer. 



(2) That each of such native agents be provided with a small, sub- 

 stantial frame house, about 10 by 15 feet in size, with good doors and 

 locks, painted and marked as United States reindeer depots. Such 

 houses it would be advisable to have framed in the city, so that thej'^ 

 could he quickly put together with screws and as quickly taken in 

 pieces when necessar3\ 



(3) That to such native agents, aniuially, be intrusted barter goods, 

 sufficient to buy for the United States Government from 50 to 100 

 deer. As occasion would warrant it, the amount could be increased. 



(1:) That to every native agent be given as salary about 200 pounds' 

 worth of provisions — flour, bread, sugar, etc. — annually. This would 

 act as an incentive and at the same time will make him more inde- 

 pendent of the deer men and of deer meat for a living. 



(5) To give such native agents credentials and recommendations to 

 the Russian officials, and, in short, to do whatsoever possible and feasi- 

 ble to make the Siberian population understand that such agents are 

 under special protection. 



(6) That a general purchasing agent be appointed, with residence in 

 Port Clarence, Alaska, who should annually collect and ship the deer 

 and distribute trade goods to the native agents. This would keep 

 before their eycti, to some extent, winter and summer, the man to 

 whom they are responsible, and from whom the}^ can get appreciation 

 if efficient. 



(7) That it would prove itself to be of advantage if the Alaskan deer 

 were taken away from the Bering Sea coast. Exaggerated reports 

 of their numbers, carried across the Bering Straits by the Eskimo 

 traders, tend to prejudice the deer men against selling more. 



(8) In the selection of the barter goods the utmost care should be 

 taken. The agent in Port Clarence should buy as much as possible all 

 such produce as the Eskimo traders annually carry across to Siberia, 

 such as Ogrook hides (big-bearded seal hides), rawhide lines, wood for 

 canoes and sleds, etc., which are alwa3\s in demand by the deer men. 

 Red fox skins are the best money that can be used for the purchase 

 of deer. A good red fox will buy a deer at a time when nothing else 

 will. These, too, might be purchased bv the Government agent in 

 Alaska. To me there seems to be a certain fitness in stocking Alaska 

 with reindeer with the help of Alaskan products. 



If the Department should contemplate a continuance of the ])usiness 

 on these lines, there are of course a number of detjiils in execution 



