XXXII FUR-SEAL FISHEEIES OF ALASKA. 



Q. From your observatious during yonr of3Bcial residence there, is it your opinion 

 tluit 1 lie lease of the seal iishtnds and tbeir adniiuistration by the Government under the 

 present policy exercises a deleterious intlneuco to public interests in Alaska gener- 

 erally ? — A. I think not; I know to the contrary. 



Q. Do you know anything in their operatioiis there which leads you to conclude 

 that their iutiuence is uufjivorable to immigration and the settlement of the coun- 

 try?— A. I know nothing of that; kind. 



Q. Do you know of any act of the company or its agents which would tend to pre- 

 vent aud discourage other people from engaging in *rade and commerce in that Ter- 

 ritory ?— A. I do not, and I never heard of any. 



Q. I will be glad if you will state to the committee in a general way the result of 

 your observation as relating to the administration of that interest there and the in- 

 terests of the company in the Territory. — A. Ju the Territory in general or simply 

 in legavd to those islands. 



Q. Their general influence and conduct. — A. I think the influence is good. I have 

 traveled considerably over the Aleutian Islands ; in fact, everywhere except at Attoo 

 and Athka. I have always found the company exerted a very good influence amongst 

 all the natives. 



Q. Do they treat them humanely aud kindly ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Cross-examination by Mr. Jeffries : 



Q. How long have you been a United States commissioner of Alaska?— A. Since 

 the llith of September, 1886. 



Q. Are you the eon of ex-Senator Johnston, of Virginia? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Where do you make your headquarters ?— A. Ac Oonalaska. 



Q. How many other commissioners are there for Alaska? — A. Three. 



Q. Where are they? — A. One is at Sitka, one at Juneau, and the third at Fort 

 Wrangel. 



Q. Have you traveled pretty extensively over Alaska ? — A. I have over the Aleu- 

 tum Islands and southeastern Alaska, near Sitka. 



Q. Then you have some idea of the comparative condition of the natives on the seal 

 islandf; -with the other parts of Alaska which you have visited ?— A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Wliat .?,o you say as to their condition ? — A. It is much superior to any other 

 p;irt of Alaska that I have been in. ,; 



Q. What do you say as to the condition of the natives of Oonalaska since the 

 Alaska Commercial Company commenced business there, compared with what it was 

 formerly? — A. I think it has improved wonderfully. 



Q. What have they done for them? — A. They have given them houses to live in 

 free of rent, and have furnished them a doctor and medical attendance free of charge. 



Q. Yen are familiar with the law governing the lease of the seal islands generally ?— 

 A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Are they required to do anything for the people of Oonalaska under their con- 

 tract ? — A. No, sir. 



Q. Have the conjpauy built any houses on any of the other of the Aleutian Isl- 

 ands? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Where ? — A. At Belkovski, at Unga, at Wozensinski, Mozuvia, and at other 

 places. 



Q. At these points the company have trading stations? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Is it wherever the company have trading stations that they make accommoda- 

 tions for the natives in i-egard to houses and furnish them medicines and dress? Is 

 that the rule of the company ? — A. That is the rule. 



Q. Now, what do you say as to whether or uot the condition of the natives of 

 Alaska — I am speaking now outside of the seal islands — is improved wherever they 

 have come in contact with the Alaska Commercial Company? — A. I believe their 

 condition has been very much improved. 



Q. Do you know Mr. Webster ? But 1 believe you have testified to that. 



By Mr. Feltox : 



Q. Do I understand they are better clothed and better housed than they were be- 

 for(<. ?— A. Yes, sir. 



Q. And a restraint is kept upon the selling of intoxicuting liquors ? — A. There is 

 no sale of intoxicating liquors. 



Q. Because these things are for the advantage of the company as well as for the 

 natives of the islands ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Louis Kimmel,, sworn and examined. 



Q. What is your residence? — A. My residence is La Fayette, Ind. 



Q. Have you at any time been an official of the Government, and if so in what ca- 

 P«i<^'f'^y fnid where? — A. Yes, sir; I was assistant Treasury agent at the seal islands, 

 stationed on St. George Island. 



