336 FUK-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



been urclerstood bj' tlie agents of tli^e coni]>auy tLat the business out- 

 side of the seal islands paid very little profit. I know that has been 

 tlie case at least in the St. Micbaels district, where 1 was instructed a 

 few years ago to examine into the matter. Snfticieut skins were not 

 obtained to pay exi)enses. In former years there was considerable profit 

 deiived from the sea-otter fisheries, bat these animals have been hunted 

 to such an extent lately that I doubt if it continues to be profitable! 

 Th{i fur business in Alaska is in a very bad state, and fishing is sup- 

 planting it. 



Q. If the company would abandon its trading stations in other parts 

 of Alaska, except the seal islands, would other traders, in your judg- 

 ment, occupy the ground? — A. I believe they would at but few places 

 where we are now maintaining agents. The business would not war- 

 rant it. 



Q. If they did not, could the natives reach a market? — A. They 

 could only through the small vessels which go there, and as these are 

 generally supi)lied with liquor, they would do the natives more harm 

 than good. 



Q. You mean that vessels would simply go up there selling them 

 goods and supplies and purchasing their furs in return ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Is that kind of trade conducted there now ? — A. Yes, sir; at every 

 point where they think they can make a profitable venture. 



Q. Your comi)any does not interfere with them in any way ? — A. No, 

 sir ; we have no desire to do so, except that we would like to break up 

 this illicit traffic in siiirituous liquors if we could. 



Q. Are seal skins sold by weight or by size "1 — A. By size. They are 

 laid out in piles, assorted for size and quality, and buyers are invited 

 to examine them. 



Q. What is the per cent, of difference in the value of those of differ- 

 ent qualities? — A. The difference is more than 50 per cent, between 

 the best and the poorest. If Ave had a larger number of seals on the 

 islands from which to choose we could make a better selection and take 

 only those skins that were desirable, but the supply is growing less and 

 less, and the range of difference between the best and poorest is widen- 

 ing. 



If the committee will allow me, I would like to make a suggestion in 

 regard to a matter that has been mentioned by other witnesses, in ref- 

 erence to having a prison-ship stationed at Oonalaska. I think a much 

 better system would be to establish a <;ourt of conii)etent jurisdiction 

 at Oonalaska, rather than send prisoners 1,200 or 1,400 miles to Sitka. 

 We have now such a court, competent to deal with criminals from 

 Bering Sea regions, only at Sitka for the entire Territory. The judge 

 and marshal reside at Sitka. 



We have at Oonalaska only a commissioner with the powers of a 

 police magistrate or justice of the peace, and a deputy marshal. All 

 seized vessels and arrested criminals must be sent to Sitka, and it is a 

 great hardship for them as well as for the officers. If we had a com- 

 petent court at Oonalaska I think matters would be greatly facil- 

 itated. 



Q. What would be your opportunity to get a jury to try them? — A. 

 As good as it would be in Sitka. There are no more inhabitants at 

 Sitka who are competent by intelligence or position to sit on a jury 

 than in Oonalaska. In summer season, at least, an intelligent jury 

 could be always found at Oonalaska. 



Q. What is the population of the isJaod of Ooualaslsal— A, I can not 



