160 FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



■wives for the men of the seal islands and would save them from going 

 off. They go away looking for wives for the reason the regulations of 

 the Greek Church forbids the marriage of parties who are even very 

 remotely related, as remotely as that of godfather and godmother. It 

 is a very ridiculous thing, but can not be helped. If the natives of 

 Attoo should be brought there they would make good sealers and would 

 get a good living. It would reduce the income, of course, on St. Paul 

 Island, perhaps $100 to each inhabitant, but they would still have an 

 ample income, and the other poor natives would receive a comfortable 

 living. 



Q. If the Government should take the natives from Attoo to the fur- 

 seal islands it would avoid the probable necessity of having to support 

 the natives of Attoo? — A. If tbey were all taken away there would not 

 be any to support. It would be cheaper to move them to the fur-seal 

 islands than to support them at Attoo. 



Q. Do you think it is i)robabIe that if the Government does not move 

 them it will have to support them"? — A. This company has for years 

 had trading stations at most of the islands, but in former years they 

 received profits from these stations. They got more furs than they get 

 now, but things are changed. They do not get a profit from all of 

 these stations, and the peojjle do not derive as much from the sale of 

 their furs as formerly. ISTow if this company should drop out of that 

 Territory, the Government would be compelled to take care of the 

 people ; or if this company should see proper to withdraw their care of 

 the natives, the Government would have it to do. 



Q. Is there any law compelling tbe companj^ to provide for those na- 

 tives? — A. No, sir; it has no connection with their contract. Outside 

 of the seal islands the natives have no claims upon the comjjany ; they 

 are free to deal w ith whom they please. 



Q. It is simply gratuitous on their ijart ? — A. Yes, sir; I think the 

 lessees, whoever they may be, or whatever may be the dis])Osition of 

 thisijroperty by the Government — additional population for the islands 

 must be provided — the lessee should have the privilege of selecting the 

 additional men in connection with the Government officer. The Gov- 

 ernment officer and the company's agent should be empowered to select 

 such additional poi)ulatiou and move them to the seal islands, with the 

 view of getting the very best men, those sound and healthy. The Aleuts 

 arenearly all diseased; they have scrofula, and the selection made, as 

 I stated, would secure better men than by taking an entire community 

 and transplanting them. 



Q. How are the natives of the seal islands housed ! — A. They have 

 comfortable frame houses. Each family has a house to itself of from 

 two to four rooms. These houses were built by the lessees and are 

 given to the natives, rent free. They receive 40 tons of coal annually 

 on St. Paul Island, and 20 tons on St. George Island. They receive all 

 the salt salmon required for their use on both islands, generally 20 

 barrels on St. George Island and 40 or 50 on St. Paul Island, as may be 

 required. 



Q. Is that free of charge 1 — A. Yes, sir ; free. The children get eight 

 months' schooling free, and they are compelled to attend school after 

 they are six years of age. They are very dull, however, and a child at 

 seventeen or eighteen can scarcely more than read and write, and know 

 a little geography and spelling. They are rather averse to learning 

 English. The old people Avill not speak the "Americanska," as they 

 call it. 



Q. Do they teach English in the schools ? — A. Altogether. 



