294 FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



Q. These three gentlemen, in connection with Mr. Williams, who sits 

 at the head of the table there, are the men who control the Alaska 

 Commercial Company ? — A. I believe so, sir. 



Q. Have you visited many parts of Alaska"? — A. Most of it, I think, 

 sir. 



Q. Been pretty nearly all over, the whole Territory ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Have you been on the seal islands?— A. On St. Paul only. 



Q. I would like for you to state with regard to the condition of the 

 natives of St. Paul Island as compared to the natives in the other pai Is 

 of Alaska that you have visited.— A. I think they are much more im- 

 proved on St. Paul Island than in some other parts of Alaska. 



Q. What- do you know as to what the company has done for the na- 

 tives in Oonalaska? — A. Well, they have built houses and given them 

 free of rent good schools and churches. 



Q. What do you say as to the different natives at such points as they 

 come in contact with the Alaska Commercial Company as compared 

 with the natives of other parts of the Territory where they do not come 

 in contact with the company? — A. I think they are much farther ad- 

 vanced than in the Territory where they are not reached by the com- 

 pany. 



Q. Then you would say that the influence of the company has wrought 

 good for the natives of Alaska; is that your judgment?— A. Yes, sir; 

 decidedly. 



Q. What portion of Alaska is it that is most densely populated with 

 white people? — A. Unga Island, Juneau, and Douglas Island, and up 

 the Yukon, to which immigration tends, and mining to the business 

 portion. There are many miners at the Yukon River, more than at any 

 other part of the Territory. 



Q. How about southeastern Ala;ska? — A. I have not traveled a great 

 deal through there. 



Q. Sitka ? — A. I stopped there and was at Sitka about a week. Oon- 

 alaska is far ahead of Sitka in regard to the natives there. 



Q. How about Kodiak ? — A. I was there twice. They all looked con- 

 tented there, about the same as in Oonalaska. 



Q. Has the company a station there? — A. Yes, sir; schools and 

 churches; and they seem to be well contented. 



Q. As well treated as elsewhere ?— A. About the same, I think. 



Q. Are you acquainted with Mr. Webster, the company's agent ?— A. 

 No, sir; I never met him. 



Q. Are you acquainted with any of the company's people on St. 

 George Island ?— A. I am with Mr. Morgan and Mr. Redpath. I think 

 that is about all the gentlemen I know. 



Q. Mr. Wilkinson, what business relation do you occupy towards this 

 company? — A. None. 



Q. You are not in any way connected in business nor interested in 

 their affairs in any way ? — A. No, sir. 

 By the Chairman : 



Q. You have business interests in Alaska? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q, Is it your opinion that the position of this lease for taking seal 

 skins, exclusive right to which this company enjoys, enables that com- 

 pany to dominate the business of the Territory in a damaging way, so as 

 to push out competition ?— A. Not at all. I believe they invite immi- 

 gration. I know they did when we started in ; they did everything they 

 could; carried freights at fair rates when they had their own to carry. 

 And I think they do so for every one who wants to go there. I never 

 had any trouble. 



