532 TESTIMONY. 



Deposition of G. G. Gtmther^s Sorts, furriers, New Yorlc. 



INDUSTRY — DECREASE OF ALASKAN HERD DUE TO DESTRUCTION 

 OF FEMALES EY PELAGIC SEALERS. 



Eelative to matter of depletion of seal herds of the Piibilof Islands, 

 this most deplorable fact is due in onr opinion in great part, if not en- 

 tirely, to the action of sealers in the indiscriminate killing of these ani- 

 mals while in transit to and from these islands for breeding pur- 

 poses, tlie females being killed in much greater i)roportionate numbers, 

 owing to their less aggressive nature and their being less able to es- 

 cape. While on their way to these islands, the cow (female) seal is in 

 a condition of pregnancy, the period of gestation ending shortly after 

 their landing. If intercei)ted and killed while in this condition the loss is 



obvious. In our opinion unless striitgent measures be 

 •ars™^^'^^*'"" neces- adopted ou the part of those having authority on 



Avaters adjacent to these islands and on all contiguous 

 bodies, the fur-sealof Alaska will soon be exterminated and this valu- 

 able industry, alike of great importance to the people of Europe and 

 America, will have received its deathblow. 



C. G. GuNTHER's Sons. 



State of New York, 



Giiy and Gouniy of Wew Yo7'Jc, ss: 

 Franklin L. Gunther, being duly sworn, says that he is a member ot 

 the tirm of C. G. Gunther's Sons, furriers, of 184 Fifth avenue, New 

 York; that the foregoing statement expresses the opinions of the mem- 

 bers of said firm, and that same is true to the best of his knowledge and 

 belief. 



Franklin L. Gunther. 



Sworn to before me this 24th day of June, 1892. 



[seal.] Dan'l La Tower, 



Notary Puhlicfor Kings County. 

 (Certificate on file in New York County.) 



De]Dosition of Samuel Ullmann, member of the firm of Joseph Ullmannj 

 furriers. New Tori: 



general sealskin industry. — pelagic sealing. 



State of New York, 



Gity and Gounty of New Yorlc, ss: 

 Samuel Ullmann, being duly sworn, says: I am a member of the 

 wholesale fur house which does business in the city of New Yoik under 

 the firm name of Joseph Ullmann, and am the person described in and 

 who verified an aflidavit on the 21st day of June, 1892, relating to the 

 value of the seal-skin iiulustry in the United States, and other matters 

 I have signed the name of Josejih Ullmann to the statement hereto 

 annexed, which has been prepared from a careful examination of the 

 books of the house of said Joseph Ullmann in the city of New York, 

 and I know said statement to be correct and true in every respect. 



All of the seal skins therein referred to are of the class 

 bw*^''*''* *^°^'* known as Northwest Coast skins. In this term I mean 



to comprise all skins taken in the Pacific Ocean or in 

 the waters of Bering Sea. The skins in question were purchased at 



