260 



tlons to the mature female herd about equaled the number lost to natural mortal- 

 ity and the population stopped increasing. Since then, the fur seal population has 

 been reduced to about the level which gives the maximum sustainable yield of 

 skins and at this lower level the death rate from birth to age 3 years is less than 

 at the maximum level. Diseases, parasites, stravation, and overcrowding are 

 some of the factors that may increase the death rate and reduce additions to the 

 mature herd when the population increases beyond the level of maximum sustain- 



able yield. 



We feel that since this is not a publicly-held corporation, the information on 

 stockholders in answer to question 3, and the information on cost estimates for 

 advertising in answer to question 6, may be considered confidential commercial 

 or financial information pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 522(b) (4), and therefore not sub- 

 ject to disclosure to the public. Our General Counsel's Office is presently looking 

 into the matter. Therefore, until we have a determination, we would appreciate 

 it if you would treat that information as confidential. 



Should you need any additional information, we will be pleased to supply it. 



Sincerely, 



John W. Townsend, Jr., 



Acting Associate Administrator. 



National Marine Fisheries Service Alaska Fur Seal Program Obligations 



for fiscal year 1910 



Operation and maintenance — NMFS vessel $347, 360 



Transportation of fuel oil to islands 77, 100 



Administration of community 304,087 



Education and training 180,792 



Civil Service retirement for Islanders 97, 409 



Police protection 14, 000 



Miscellaneous Hi 886 



Utilization of fur seals 285, 931 



Killing and skinning 72, 575 



Curing and packing skins 167, 556 



Transportation of skins, Seattle to Greenville, S.C 13, 252 



Fur seal herd management 24, 513 



Roads to rookeries 8,036 



Replacement and modernization (new construction) 383,958 



Electricity, sewer, water systems 53, 195 



Automatic ix)werplant 49, 595 



New equipment 56, 420 



Relocating tank farm 17,973 



Design new processing plant 45, 747 



Miscellaneous 14, 334 



New house 103, 129 



Villaee services — St. Paul (operation and maintenance) 616, 753 



Management and facilities (docks, roads, airstrip, communica- 

 tion) 271, 218 



Powerplant 102, 618 



Stores and warehousing 51, 232 



Equipment operation and maintenance 111,394 



Lighterage and cargo handling 48, 041 



Government mess 32,250 



Village services — St. George 386, 571 



Management and facilities 170,868 



Powerplant 30, 698 



Stores and warehousing 80, 349 



Equipment operation and maintenance 75, 034 



Lighterage and cargo handling 17, 118 



Government mess 12,504 



