FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 309 



Q. Are they compelled to eat seal meat, or do they eat it because 

 they prefer it! — A. They prefer it. 



Q. Their living expenses are comparatively trifling ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. About how many dollars each do the able-bodied men, on an aver- 

 age, receive for thirty days' work ! — A. Close to $500 each. 



Q. Who has charge of tije liquor on rft. George Island f — A. The 

 doctor on the island at the time. 



Q. Can anybody go to the doctor and get liquor on which to get 

 drunk ? — A. No, sir. 



Q. You are sure of that ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Did you ever know of any natives being intoxicated by liquor ob- 

 tained from the doctor? — A. No, sir. 



Q. It was testified to here by Mr. Gavitt that you threatened any 

 Government officer that interfered with your business, and when he 

 asked you what your business was you said it was with women? — A. 

 It is a false statement, sir. 



Q. Was there ever anything transpired that could be construed to 

 mean any such thing as that? — A. No, sir. 



Q. Then it is a lie, is it ?— A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Now, let us know something about your operations with women 

 there; I do not mean in particular, but the company's employes. Mr. 

 Gavitt states that the island is a Government house of prostitution? — 

 A. There is no truth in that. 



Q. What do say about the morals of the women on St. George Isl- 

 and? — A. They compare favorably with any place I have been in. I 

 have been in a good many small places. 



Q. Did the emj)loyes have their wives ? — A. The Government officers 

 had ; no employes had. 



Q. How are they treated by the employes ? — A. With the greatest 

 respect, sir. 



Q. You saw Mrs. Ga\'itt ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. How was she treated ? — A. Very well indeed, sir. 



Q. Where did she take her meals ?— A. At the company's mess table, 

 with the rest of us. 



Q. Who was the cook ?— A. Mr. Hall. 



Q. What was his deportment in the presence of Mrs. Gavitt ? — A. 

 Very respectful indeed. 



Q. What sort of a man is Mr. Hall; a respectable man? — A. He is, so 

 far as I know. 



Q. Well behaved ?— A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Did he ever have any trouble with anybody ? — A. I never heard 

 of any. 



Q. He is employed by the company as cook ?— A. Yes, sir. 



Q, Did he wait on the table ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. How was he dressed ? — A. Very neatly. 



Q. What kind of aprons did he wear ? — A. He wore aprons that came 

 below his knees. 



Q. Did you ever discover anything wrong with his pantaloons ? — A. 

 No, sir. 



Q. Did he wear aprons ha-bitually in the dinning-room ? — A. Al- 

 ways. 



Q. Have you been about Alaska much ? — A. I have been to Kodiak. 



Q. What do you say as to the condition of the natives of St. George 

 and St. Paul as compared with those of Kodiak and other places ? — 

 A. The seal- island natives are very much ahead of them. 



