146 FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



elude the breeding seals. If laore than the surplus males were taken 

 and killed annually, we would not have any spare seals at all in three 

 or four years. 



Q. Would it not be well to adopt Jay Gould's plan, and take the an- 

 nual earning capacity as a basis, preserving the full breeding capacity 

 of the herd 1 — A. That would represent 100,000 surplus bachelor seals 

 every year. 



Q. Can any more be killed ? — A. I would not like to try the experi- 

 ment. 



Q. At present $1,500,000 is- divided between the Government and 

 the company ? — A. Yes, sir ; in gross, as the market valuation stands 

 at the present hour. 



Q. Deducting expenses both to the Government and to the company 

 tlie commercial value would be such a sum as the remainder would pay 

 upon, say at per cent. ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. If i remember correctly, you express the opinion that the gross 

 value of the rookeries, and the herd, are worth the sum of $12,000,000? 

 — A. That is supposing everything could be sold. But that is a theo- 

 retical statement. That much in fact could not be obtained for them, 

 because such a flood of skins would ruin the market, and render it prac- 

 tically valueless. 



Q. Now, as the result of your observations there, what is your opin- 

 ion as to perpetuating the present policy of the Government and leas- 

 ing the rookeries ? Would it be or not be better for the Government to 

 take the seals and sell the skins, or sell the rookeries, with such pro- 

 tection as the Government could give? — A. To lease them? 



Q. No ; sell out the islands. What would be your idea of the best 

 policy of preserving the rookeries ?— A. Between leasing, selling, and 

 self-management by the Government ? 



Q. Yes ; viewed with respect to the importance of preserving seal 

 life, and as an economic question, taking into consideration the condi- 

 tion of the natives and the duty of the Government towards the na- 

 tives ? — A. I think that selling them would be a very doubtful future 

 for the seals. I do not think that the Government would ever be able 

 to sell them for what it will realize under the present order of things, 

 or anywhere near it. Then as to direct Governmental control, any man 

 running it for the Government would be at the very outset charged 

 with making corrupt combinations, and the scandal and noise would be 

 so great that no reputable man would or could long hold the office. If he 

 did, he would be so charged as to be a candidate for the penitentiary 

 before the end of six months, even if he were innocent as a white- winged 

 angel. 



Q. You do not think it would be practicable for the Government to 

 undertake the business? — A. No, sir; I do not think it would. It 

 would not result in as clear a record and as handsome a return as it 

 does now. It would harass the Secretary of the Treasury, and render 

 the life of the Treasury agents a burden to themselves and their friends. 



Q. What do you say of a divided lease ; leasing one island to one 

 company, and the other to another company ? — A. They would have to 

 be leased on the same conditions, and yet the islands are very unequal 

 in importance and wealth. I do not see how the Government could do 

 it. There could not be any discrimination. They would have to be 

 treated exactly alike. I do not see how the Government could improve 

 on the present plan. And unless that is done, I do not see that it 

 would change the existing order of things. 



Q. Would more than two companies interfere with the commercial 

 value of the skins ? — A. I have not gone so far as that. The two com- 



