256 FUK-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



sir. As her young does not go into tbe water, it does not do anything 

 for some time, and can not swim and has to be taught. 



Q. The seals are born upon those islands? — A. Yes, sir; they come 

 there for that purpose. They come there expressly to breed, because if 

 they droj^ped their young in the water the pup would drown. 



Q. Do you think the value of the seals justifies the policy that tbe 

 Government pursues for their preservation and protection ? — A. Yes, 

 sir; I do. 



Q. And under a rigidly enforced system protecting seal life in the 

 waters of these seas, do you think the herd could be materially in- 

 creased f — A. I think it would. I think there is no doubt but what it 

 would. 



Q. And the amount of revenue to the Government might be increased 

 correspondingly f — A. Y'es, sir; but as it is now they are decreasing, 

 there is no doubt. 



Q. You think that the decrease is attributable altogether to the unlaw- 

 ful hunting ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. You think the numbers taken by the Government under the con- 

 tract could be continued if there is no unlawful depredation? — A. If 

 there is no unlawful depredation the same number could be killed every 

 season. 



Q. Is it your opinion that the policy pursued by the Government in 

 making a reservation of this — of fhese islands and leasing the exclusive 

 privilege of taking to a person or a company, has a deleterious eiJ'ect 

 upon the public interests of the other part^ of Alaska? — A. Ko, sir; 

 I do not see how it can. 



Q. Does it tend to prevent the settlement and occupation of the Ter- 

 ritory ? — A. I can not see how it could tend that way. 



Q. Does it tend to discourage trade in business of other people in 

 Alaska ? — A. I think not. 



Q. Does it lead to oppressions and injustice by the company and its 

 agents, have you any observation on that point I — A. No, sir; I never 

 heard anything of the kind. 



Q. You saw nothing to justify such an o'pinion? — A. Xo, sir. 



Q. Is it your opinion that the administration of that lease is delete- 

 rious or beneficial to the interests of the people there? — A. I think it is 

 beneficial. 



Cross-examination by Mr. Jeffries: 



Q. What do you say, Mr. Moultou, as to the condition of the natives 

 who have come in contact with the Alaska Commercial Company as 

 compared with the other people of Alaska who have not come in con- 

 tact with that company or with its agents ? — A. I know the people very 

 well in Oonalaska, as we always visited there going and coming. That 

 is the only point of Alaska I ever visited except one spring I went to 

 Kodiak. The condition of the natives of St. Paul is much superior to 

 thenativesof Oonalaska, while the condition of the^natives of Oonalaska 

 is much superior to the natives of Kodiak. That is as far as J observed. 

 I know of nothing outside of those three points — the seal islands, Oona- 

 laska, and Kodiak. 



Q. Do you know whether the company has done anything in regard 

 to ameliorating the condition of the people of Oonalaska? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. What have they done f — A. Thev have built houses there. 



Q. B 

 house. 



Q. Is that included in the contract with the seal islands ? — A. No, 

 sir. 



