FUR SEALS OF ALASKA. 23 
theory is contradicted by all the subsequent investigations by scien- 
tists. Itis true Elliott did not have the advantage that these gentlemen 
had in later investigations nor the information that they possess, but 
when he states to this committee that his report stands uncontradicted 
and is the recognized authority by this Government, I think I am at 
liberty to criticise sucha claim and refer to the subsequent reports, 
which overthrow his views. 
Again in his report he says the driving destroys the virility of the 
males that escape from the killing grounds or are rejected. You are 
aware, gentlemen, that many are rejected in every drive as either too 
old or too young. This novel theory is also overthrown. He assumes 
that the testicles of the seals, dragged on the ground in making his 
peculiar forward movement, would be injured in coming in contact 
with rough substances over which the seal was driven. He did not 
seem to know the characteristics of the seal. When an examination 
was made it was shown that when they move over the ground that por- 
tion of the body is drawn up in the body and no injury can possibly 
result from it. 
He is again in error as to the feed of the pups. He declares that 
they can be supported on certain roots that are found around or float- 
ing about the islands. An examination of the pups demonstrated that 
they are supported alone upon the milk of the mother. Time and 
again have all these different questions been discussed and decided 
adverse to the views of Mr. Elliott. 
The committee will find in the authorities I shall refer to the deci- 
sions of competent experts sustaining all these views I have main- 
tained. Further, they will see that for the first time, in 1898, the 
British and Canadian commissioners sustained the propositions that I 
have laid down, and that they contradict Mr. Elliott on most, if notall, 
of these controverted questions. ; 
The Cuarrman. Senator Faulkner, is there anything to show what 
proportion of female seals bear young annually ? 
Mr. Fauixner. It is about an even division. 
The CHatrMANn. It is about what? 
Mr. Favtxyer. Statistics show that the birth rate of male and female 
is about the same. 
The CHatrman. No; you do not understand me. What proportion 
of female seals bear young? 
Myr. Fautxyer. You mean at what age? 
The CuarrmMan. No; after they get to the bearing age, what propor- 
tion bear young? 
Mr. Fautxner. Almost every one. 
The Cuarrman. Then there must be some virility around there. 
Mr. Fautkner. You could almost say every one bears a pup 
annually. 
Mr. Hitz. You are opposed to this bill? 
Mr. FauLkyer. Yes. ne nh 
Mr. Hriz. What is your position—is it to let things alone and let 
the herd die out? 
Mr. Fautxner. I am not afraid of the herd dying out. 
Mr. Hitt. Youstated yesterday that it showed a very rapid decrease. 
Mr. Fautxner. Of course; and it will until we stop pelagic sealing. 
Until pelagic sealing is stopped it will decrease to a certain point. 
You can see how far it will decrease. It will continue to decrease to 
