344 FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



Q. As I understand, the regulation now is if any woman marries a 

 man from the Aleutian Islands, that man has to take her to his home ? — 

 A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Because the regulation prohibits him from acquiring a domicile 

 upon either St. Paul or St. George Islands and participating in the seal 

 work "?— A. Yes, sir. 



Q. That can be accomplished by a slight modification of the regula- 

 tions of the Treasury Department? — A. Yes, sir; it can. 



Mr. Felton. The result of the change would have two effects: It 

 would prevent these people from starving who are on the verge of star- 

 vation, and give them something to do. 



The Chairman. And relieve those people for whom the company 

 transports the seal meat to the Aleutian Islands. 



Mr. Felton. And it would also prevent — which must ultimately oc- 

 cur if they are not looked after — the final degeneration of the people by 

 intermarriage. 



The Witness. Yes, sir. 



Q. So it would have two effects'? — A. Yes; two beneficial effects: 

 Infuse new blood into the inhabitants, and make them stronger and 

 better people, and furnish them a good living without injury to the 

 sealers on the islands. 



Q. And further than that, it will give them labor? — A. Yes, sir; and 

 on that these people could live. 



Q. As I understand it now, during the sealing season they have to 

 send people up there for a sliort time and then they are sent home? — 

 A. The company take thirty, forty, or fifty there from Oonalaska and 

 pay them outside of tbis community fund from $00 to $80 each for two 

 months' work, besides their keep and transportation, and each one of 

 them takes home to his family barrels of choice cuts of seal meat. 



Q. And the women will not marry outside now, from the fact that 

 they prefer to live on the islands; they do not care to go and starve 

 on some other island ? — A. They would not go off the island to starve 

 with any man, as they are maintained on the islands by this company 

 when they are widows, free ; besides, they do a great deal of work for 

 which they are paid in cash, and live well. 



The Chairman. General Jeffries, do you desire to submit an argu- 

 ment or brief to be printed and submitted to the committee'? 



General Jeffries. So far as the testimony relates to the charges — if 

 there are charges— I do not deem it worth while to submit anything on 

 that question ; but so far as the question as to the jurisdiction of the 

 United States over the Bering Sea and the ownership of these waters, 

 I desire to present a brief. 



The Chairman. Will you please prepare it, and will you have it 

 printed ? 



General Jeffries. I will have it printed and furnish a copy to each 

 member of the committee. 



The Chairman. I will be very glad to have a copy printed with the 

 general report — not with the evidence — but I would like to have a copy 

 of the brief printed with the general report. 



General Jeffries. Very well. 1 regard the testimony as all one way 

 so far as the company is concerned, and I do not consider it necessary 

 to argue that question, but will leave that to the committee. 



The Chairman. In the absence of any objection the investigation is 

 at a close. I will have the evidence printed and furnished to the mem- 

 bers of the committee, and I will notify the committee as soon as it is, 

 so that all may be present and we can consider our report. 



