FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 121 



was extensively carried on in 1885 and 18S6, and in previous years, and 

 of course the pups that would have been born from cows that were 

 killed in 1885, or that perished through the loss of their mothers during 

 that year, would have come- upon the islands in 1888, and we should 

 have had that additional number from which to make our selection this 

 year. The deficiency this year is attributed to that cause — to the fact 

 that the cows were killed. And I would say further, that if cows are 

 killed late in the season, say in August, after the pups are born, the 

 latter are left upon the islands deprived of the mother's care, and, of 

 course, perish. The effect is the same, whether the cows are killed be- 

 fore or after the pups are dropped. The young perish in either case. 



Q. How far from these feeding grounds are these depredations com- 

 mitted? — A. Thirty to 60 miles south of St. George's Island is where 

 the most of the marauding is done. 



Q. Between the Pribylov group and the Aleutian chain?— A. About 

 one-third of the way down from St. George to Oonalaska. 



Q. From your knowledge of the seal life and the habits of the seal, 

 and the management of the business, what do you say as to the present 

 policy being the correct one ? — A. I think the only way in which seal 

 life can be preserved is by the action of properly constituted authority ; 

 and that authority must be either governmental or the authority of the 

 lessee under the sanction of the Government. It can not be done in 

 any other way. Of course that would imply entire control of the busi- 

 ness. If there is no interference at any point to disturb the equilibrium 

 of the sexes, the breeding of seals can be as systematically and intelli- 

 gently conducted as that of domestic animals. If a ijortion of the 

 breeding animals kept for service upon the rookeries is killed, it is evi- 

 dent the rookeries must suffer. 



Q. You took your whole quota this year "? — A. This year we took 

 100,000 skins. But, as I have already reported to the company, it seems 

 doubtful whether the full nuuiber of skins on which we can afford to 

 pay the tax can be obtained next year. 



By the Chairman: 



Q. If there had been no trespass at all by any other persons and 

 vessels, are you satisfied that there would have been no material dimi- 

 nution of the number of killable seals? — A. Yes, sir; because the seals 

 were extending and increasing, and we always had a sufficient number 

 during the first twelve or fourteen years of the lease. 



Q. They increased while you were taking your full quota, did they? — 

 A. Yes, sir ; and we took the full quota, except during two years. Dur- 

 ing those years we failed, not because we could not get enough seals, 

 but because the market did not demand them. There were plenty of 



Q. Do I understand that you are about to be reduced to a less num- 

 ber, and also to the necessity of taking smaller skins? — A. We can 

 get a sufficient number of small skins from two-year-old animals, but 

 at present prices that would not pay. Only on the contingency of a 

 higher market should we take skins smaller than we are now taking. It 

 now appears doubtful whether we could get a paying market for much 

 smaller skins than we are now taking. 



By Mr. Jeffries: 



Q. Are these skins taken by marauders sold in competition with 

 yours ? — A. Yes, sir ; they go to the same market and are sold to the 

 same dressers. 



Q. They pay no tax ? — A. Xo, sir ; we have not only to come in com- 



