126 FUE-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



or Las not performed its obligations faithfully, or has it violated auj^ 

 regulations in any respect ? — A. I should say we have obeyed the regu 

 lations in every respect, and done much more than our contract with, 

 the Government demands for the welfare of the people of Alaska. 



By the Chairman: 



Q. State something in detail of the i)rovisions which are made for the 

 natives of the Pribylov Islands; and what does the law require, aud what 

 do you do in addition ? — A. We are required by law to furnish them annu- 

 ally with 40 tons of coal, 20 barrels of salted salmon, to keep the schools 

 eight months in the year, and to provide for their maintenance and sup- 

 port. I think thos(4 are the terms of our lease. In addition to that, we 

 give to them every luxury known to laboring men in civilization. 

 Our stores are provided with every article that may be found in the 

 best regulated country stores, and these articles are sold at reasonable 

 prices. To enable them to purchase these goods, we ])ay 40 cents for 

 each seal, and the fund formed by this payment, when distributed, goes 

 to each man at present engaged in the seal fisheries ; not less than $200 

 to any, and as high as $750 annually to the best men. There is no stipu- 

 lation in our lease, but we fix the price voluntarily at 40 cents per skin. 

 A much smaller sum would have amply maintained the natives. 



Q. How do you pay them ? — A. They are paid in cash. The fund is 

 paid to the community and divided among the men according to the 

 classification made by the company's agent, with the sanction of the 

 Treasury agents, who are present at the time. 



Q. Are the natives consulted in that distribution? — A. Yes, sir; 

 their chiefs are always present, and sometimes the elders. 



Q. Upon an understanding with them that is satisfactory ? — A. Yes, 

 eir. 



Q. How is that division made; on what basis'? — A. The natives are 

 divided at present into eight classes, with a difference between the 

 classes of 10 per cent, in the distribution. For instance, while the 

 first class receives $1, the second receives 90 cents, the next receives 

 80 cents, and so on down through the eight classes. 



Q. Is it on the score of capacity and efficiency I — A. Yes, solely. 

 This fund, on being distributed, is placed to the credit of each man, and 

 as he requires money, he brings his pass-book to the cashier and re- 

 ceives silver in payment. 



Q. Is that book in the nature of a bank book? — A. Yes, sir. This 

 deposit remains with the company. The Treasury agent frequently ex- 

 amines the pass books in order that the men may always have some- 

 thing remaining to their credit against which to draw from week to 

 week until the next annual distribution is made. They are naturally 

 very improvident. 



Q. What are the expenses of the natives ? What constitutes their 

 expense account each year, which is paid for out of their own money ? — 

 A. Clothing, groceries, fancy goods of every description ; and their 

 money has been so plentiful, that we have been obliged to carry up 

 there every sort of fancy article — musical instruments, toys, etc., and 

 things perfectly useless to them because they have money in their 

 hands and are anxious to spend it. They will not allow money to re- 

 main in hand if they can find anything to buy. Special orders were 

 given us last fall for musical instruments, violins, guitars, etc., because 

 apparently they didn't know what other use to make of their surplus. 



Q. How much house ren^do they pay? — A. None 



Q. Do they pay anything for fuel? 



