PUB-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 103 



portation, lading, etc., and at this price of 25 per cent, added they are 

 sold to the natives, which makes them in almost every instance less than 

 the retail price in San Francisco. 



Q. Do you supply the fuel and food you are required to supply the 

 natives under the contract ? — A. We do. 



Q. Medical attendance ?— A. We do. 



Q. And schools ?— A. We do. 



Q. So far as the agents of the Government and the agents of the 

 company report to their respective chiefs, are the natives contented and 

 happy and their condition bettered ? — A. So far as we have any knowl- 

 edge their condition is improved and they are entirely satisfied. 



Q. What would be the effect, if you have not already testified to it, of 

 opening up Bering Sea to all commerce, American and foreign ; what 

 would be the effect upon the seal industry? — A. Of opening all the sea ? 



Q. Open all the sea so that anybody could come and kill seal any- 

 where in the waters of Bering Sea outside of the seal islands ? — A. It 

 would be a matter of a few years to exterminate the herd under such 

 conditions. 



Q. What is the effect of using fire-arms in killing the seals; what 

 effect does that have ? — A. It has the effect of seriously frightening 

 and alarming the seals, as they are very timid. 



Q. You are not allowed to use fire-arms on the islands when the seals 

 are about ? — A. No. 



Q. What effect would it have of killing them in the water by the 

 use of fire-arms "? — A. The effect of alarming the seals and disturbing 

 the regular order of their lives. 



Q. What is the policy of the company in regard to the use of ardent 

 spirits, whisky, etc., in Alaska ? — A. It is to prevent the introduction 

 and sale and use of them, so far as it lies in their power in any way. 



Q. Has the company exported fire-arms and placed them in the hands 

 of the natives of Alaska ? — A. No. 



Q. Now, if there is anything else which you want to say you can state 

 it. If not, I will turn you over to the chairman, Mr. Cummings. — A. 

 I think I have stated all that occurs to me. I shall be pleased, how- 

 ever, to answer any questions. 



Q. I think I asked you whether the company was against immigra- 

 tion ? — A. The policy of the company has always been to encourage 

 immigration. 



Q. The more people the company has there to buy their goods, the 

 better it is for the company ? — A. It is not only that, but if the people 

 desire to go there, we have no wish to keep them out. 



Q. What are the regulations of the company in regard to carrying 

 people from one point to another on your vessels'? — A. The orders are 

 always to transport them if we have place and room for them. 



Q. Are the commanders of your vessels instructed to transport men 

 who have no money without price on their return home ? — A. Of course, 

 any one found in the country — that is a feeling that prevails largely 

 through the western country and California when a man is in condition 

 of need and has made a failure in his efforts — to help him along, feed him 

 and bring him home. 



Q. How are the rates charged to regular passengers on your steamers 

 compared with the regular lines running to Sitka, etc. ? — A. They are 

 much less, but* we do not x)retend or care to run a passenger steamer to 

 compete with them, but if these people desire to go in that way we take 

 them at much less rates than they could go on the regular steamers. 



