82 FUR SEALS OF ALASKA. 
do think that as this is an important and vital matter to the Govern- 
ment that all the light that can possibly be thrown upon it should be 
obtained from these gentlemen. I will be glad to give to the com- 
mittee their names and addresses. 
Mr. Hix. Do you know anything about the general sentiment of 
either the natives or what few whites there are up there in regard to 
this question ? 
Mr. Fauixner. I do not, sir, not the slightest. I do not suppose 
they feel any interest in it, providing you give them the support they 
are now getting. 
Mr. Hit. I mean as to the best course to pursue in the treatment 
of one of their native products there, whether they concur with the 
scientists on that question. 
Mr. Fautxner. I have never ascertained their views and therefore 
can give you no information upon it. 
Mr. Hitt. Is it not a fact that there is something of a prejudice 
against the opinions propounded by Professor Jordan? 
Mr. Faurtxner. I have never heard any except from Mr. Elliott. 
Mr. Cooper. What is the net revenue this Government derivés 
from the lease that it had made to this company ? 
Mr. Fautxyer. It has derived a revenue of between $7,000,000 and 
$8,000,000 since the original lease was made. 
Mr. Cooper. What has it been in the last few years? 
My. Faurxyer. It has been small- You may multiply nineteen 
thousand and something by $10.27 and that would give you what it is. 
Mr. Wruit1aMs, of Mississippi. About $200,000 in round numbers. 
Mr. Cooper. That is the gross revenue. What is the net revenue? 
Mr. Fautkyer. I can not tell you what the net revenue to the Gov- 
ernment is. Of course, the Government has had to keep certain ves- 
sels up there, as England does in the Bering Sea, to guard and protect 
the zone of 60 miles around the islands and other points, but this 
expense would continue under the terms of this award whether the 
lease was abrogated or continued. 
Mr. Coorsr. Does the Secretary of the Treasury make a statement 
of what net revenue is derived from that lease? 
Mr. Faurxner. I have not seen it; it may be in his report. 
The Cuarrman. Ido not know whether you care to express your 
opinion, but suppose this resolution was passed and the Government 
should kill 5,000 or 6,000 seals a year and appropriate the skins, would 
your company have any claim for damages against the Government of 
the United States under this contract? 
Mr. Fautxner. I think if you would abrogate and rescind the con- 
tract it would. 
The Cuarrman. Suppose we should siinply do what this resolution 
requires 4 
Mr. Fautxner. That abrogates the contract, annuls it. I say, if 
you abrogate the contract I can not understand why the Government, 
under the decision of the Supreme Court, after entering into a contract 
in reference to a property matter, is not bound by the terms of that 
contract equally with the other contracting party. 
Mr. Warson. But does not the contract itself provide for a 
suspension 4 
Mr. Faurkner. It provides for a regulation, not a suspension of 
the contract. 
