FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 61 



Q. Now, will you please describe the iuterior of the building, as to 

 its comfort? — A. A majority of the buildings are 16 by 24 feet, one 

 story, with au addition 8 by 16 feet, and an entry way. The main part 

 of the house is partitioned into two and sometimes three rooms — a living 

 room, a sleeping room, or a living room and two sleeping rooms, and an 

 entry way — in which they keep their goods and fuel. 



Q. They use it as a sort of lumber room ? — A. Not exactly as a lum- 

 ber room ; they use the overhead part as a lumber room and chicken- 

 coop. The houses are built with lumber shipped from San Francisco. 

 The frames are generally 2 by 6 and 2 by 4 on the outside, boarded with 

 inch rough boards, and covered with building paper. Then there is a 

 clap-board put outside of that. Inside they are sealed up and have a 

 floor. 



Q. Are they painted, whitewashed, or anything ? — A. Yes, sir ; they 

 are sealed up and cov^ered with cloth, muslin, and this is filled with 

 sizing, and there is wall- paper put upon that. The furnishing of the 

 door casings and window casings are painted, the ceilingis covered with 

 cloth and painted, and the majority of the natives now have carpets on 

 their floors, and have bedsteads, tables, and chairs, with pictures on 

 the wall, and it is the policy of the company to have its agents instruct 

 these people in beautifying their homes and in keei)ing them clean. 



Q. Have they made any progress towards civilization in the last 

 twenty years ?— A. J think they have made remarkable progress, con- 

 sidering the condition they were in. 



Q. Does the company endeavor to induce then in that respect ?— A. 

 Yes, sir ; the orders to the agents were to that effect, and I think the 

 agents have, as a rule, tried to teach these people to live better. 



Q. What are the orders of the company as to the treatment of the 

 natives ?— A. The orders of the company are that the natives shall be 

 treated well. It is a standing rule that any employ^ of the company 

 who shall misuse a native, it matters not what the "provocation — if an 

 employe should strike a native, no matter what the provocation was, 

 his discharge would be tendered him the first opportunity. Those were 

 the instructions when I tooji charge of the station, and they were given 

 to me in these words. I asked if the native should be allowed to use 

 certain insulting language no white man would be allowed to use, and 

 the agent stated to me, " You know what the orders are, and if you dis- 

 obey them you will -be discharged." 



Q. Are you familiar with the laws of the Alaska Commercial Com 

 pany, and do you understand its terms ?— A. I do understand the 

 terms, I think. 



Q. And you have familiarized yourself somewhat with the law re- 

 lating to the taking of fur seals? — A. Yes, sir ; the regulations of the 

 Treasury Department. That is part of the agent's duties. 



Q. Has the company had any trouble with any Government agents 

 in Alaska during all this time that you have been there that you know 

 of? — A. The company has not that I know of. There has been some 

 personal friction between agents of the Treasury Department and agents 

 of the company. 



Q. Now I want to ask you whether the company has any relations 

 with the Government in any part of Alaska except on the seal isl- 

 ands 1 — A. None that I know of. 



Q. Have they any Government i>rovisions for any part of Alaska ex- 

 cei)t on the seal islands ? — A. None that I know of. 



Q. Can any company go to Alaska and engage in business anywhere 



