FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 335 



not true. He is temperate, and I think very nearly a total abstainer 

 from liquor. 



Q. Have any complaiuts been made to you as superintendent by the 

 natives as to their treatment by the employes? — A. JSfo, sir; except 

 in trivial matters, which were promptly rigLited at the time. They are 

 invited to make complaint. They are also told to appeal from the com- 

 pany's agents to the Government ofQcer at any time when they are 

 dissatisfied. 



Q. They are told that the company considers him the highest author- 

 ity on the islands? — A. Yes, sir; and we have had occasion to appeal 

 from them to him on one occasion, when they "struck" during the 

 sealing season, on the ground that we withheld their supply of sugar, 

 and they were thereby deprived of the material for making intoxicants. 

 The appeal was made to Colonel Otis, and after considerable parleying, 

 he told them they had better go to work, which they did. 



Q. Will you st'ate to the committee what facilities the natives have 

 for sending written complaiuts to the United States?— A. There is no 

 postmaster at the seal islands, but we have regular mail-pouches, and 

 letters can be put into them by any one who chooses to bring them to 

 the company's office. The pouches are carried to and deposited in the 

 company's office in San Francisco. In addition to that, mail is also 

 sent by Uie church in sealed packages to the consistory in San Fran- 

 cisco. 



Q. Do you know whether the mail is ever tampered with by any- 

 body ? — A. No, sir; no more than it is in any other part of the United 

 States. 



Q. Who appoints the chief? — A. The chief at the present time is ap- 

 pointed by the Government agent in charge. Formerly the people 

 elected him ; but such abuses arose under that system that the Gov- 

 ernment assumed the authority several years ago, and has since con- 

 tinued to exercise it. 



Q. Are you acquainted with Peter Resanzoft; what kind of a man is 

 he? — A. Yes; I have known him ever since he was a boy; he is 

 brighter than the average, but is less reliable than any other man on 

 St. George Island. I do not think he could be believed in any trans- 

 action where it was in his interest to misrepresent. 



Q. What is his reputation for truth and veracity ? — A. I believe it is 

 bad. 



Q. Would you believe him under oath ? — A. No, sir ; I would not. 



Q. Do the agents of the company obey the Government officer?— A. 

 The agents of the Alaska Commercial Company are instructed to co- 

 operate with the agents of the Government in maintaining order, to 

 assist them in i)reventing the manufacture of quass, and to comply 

 with any reasonable request that the Government agent may make 

 upon them in the conduct of the business. I think that every agent on 

 the islands understands that. 



By Mr. Felton : 

 Q. Have you any idea as to the amount of the trade of the Alaska 

 Commercial Company at the stations other than the seal islands ? — A. 

 I shall be unable to give any definite answer about that, because it is 

 outside of my department. Although I have a general knowledge on 

 the subject, I think it is not sufficient to be of any value to the com- 

 mittee. 



By the Chairman : 

 Q. Can you give the probable aggregate value? — A. It has always 



