FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 83 



is the savings of the Ooualaska and Kodiak people who are not upon 

 this Government reservation, and whom the company have influenced 

 to save a little rather than have them waste their money. 



Q. You had better explain whether the company has independent fur- 

 trading stations at these places. — A. They have stations at Ooualaska 

 and at Kodiak aud some other places, and the people there have accumu- 

 lated some money which now amounts to twenty- nine thousand and odd 

 dollars, for which they hold the company's obligation in their bank 

 book as security, for which the company holds ninety-four thousand 

 and odd dollars in bonds of the United States, which are kept apart and 

 held for them. You will see some of these people have very good ac- 

 cumulations. There is one man that has $900; another has $1,800, and 

 one has $3,000. 



By Mr. Felton : 



Q. How do you account for that ^« — A. Some of them are saving men 

 and others are great gamblers. 



Q. Do they occupy any position by which they get more money than 

 others ? — A. No, sir. They are first-class men, who save their money, 

 and the otherg do not. But they are great gamblers. I would like to 

 state one thing : I would like it to be understood that no gambling 

 is ever permitted, in fact, it is never thought of, between any of the 

 employes of the company and the natives, or between any white man 

 and the natives. It would be quite impossible to say to these men, 

 " You shall not pitch half dollars." We can not stop that. But their 

 monev still remains among them. It is a case of " If I lose it, you have 

 got it." 



The Chairman. The employes of the company never win it from them ? 



The Witness. Never ; and it would never be allowed for a moment. 



Mr. CuMMiNGS. I suppose you are unable to say whether any of them 

 are good poker players or not 'i 



The Witness. They are probably better pitchers of half dollars than 

 poker players. 



By Mr. Felton : 



Q. I was not quite clear in my mind as to what you said about the 

 school. If I understood you correctly, the schools are for the purpose 

 of educating the children of those who remain upon the island. — A. 

 Yes, sir ; the children of the islands of St. Paul aud St. George. 



Q. And that they are supported entirely by the company "? — A. Yes, 

 sir. 



Q. No portion of the money which is provided by Government for 

 schools in Alaska is used for this purpose on the island ! — A. No. The 

 schools there are entirely the contribution of the company. 



Q. Is there anything in the contract which requires the company to 

 do this? — A. Oh, yes ; I think they are required to furnish a certain 

 amount of teaching, and that is done by the company, and good teach- 

 ers sought, and they are carried up there from the East or wherever it 

 may be. 



Q. The company in this matter is simply living up to their con- 

 tract? — A. Yes, sir ; living up to their contract. 



By Mr. CUMMINGS : 



Q. I noticed in the list here there are church funds ? — A. The church 

 building is the property of the natives. 



Q. These churches are sustained by the natives? — A. Yes, sir ; they 

 have a bishop resident in San Francisco, and frequently the bishop makes 



