XXIV FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



Section one of the bill amends section 1963 of the Revised Statutes in 

 two (iKitcii.tl respects. 



As the statute now reads the Secretary of the Treasury does not 

 think he is authorized to advertise for bids and make another lease of 

 the seal islands until after the present lease expires. The amendment 

 requires him to do so within one year i)rior to the expiration of the ex- 

 istinj^: lease, so that there will be no cessation of responsibility. Sec- 

 tion 1069 of the Revised Statutes imposes " a revenue tax or duty of 

 $2 per skiu ui)on each fnr-seal skin taken and shipped away from the 

 islands of St. Paul and St. George." 



The amendment repeals that section, and requires "the sum of not 

 less than $3.50 ])er skin for each fur-seal skin taken and shipped away 

 from these islands," to be paid by the lessee in addition to the $50,000 

 per annum as a consideration for the lease. 



The amendment also declares the true meaning and intent of section 

 1956 of the Revised Statutes which prohibit the killing of fur seals, etc., 

 in the waters of Alaska, and requires the President to issue an annual 

 proclamation and cause one or more Government vessels to cruise said 

 waters, in or<ler to prohibit the unlawful killing of fur seals therein. 



The amendnient increases the revenues of the Government from this 

 source by at least $150,000 per annum. 



Sections 4 and 5 provide for the temporary protection and preserva- 

 tion of our valuable salmon fisheries in Alaska and requires the Com- 

 missioner-of Fish and Fisheries to diligently prosecute his exploration 

 and investigation of the salmon and other food fishes of Alaska and 

 report to Congress, in order that such additional legislation may be en- 

 acted as may appear necessary to place the salmon fisheries of Alaska 

 under permanent and regular conditions of production and preservation. 



