FUR SEALS OF ALASKA. 15 
Mr. Fauuxyer. The rule is to look on both sides of any question 
broadly and not allow one who has continually advocated a particular 
view, rejected by the scientists of the country, to secure the ear of a 
committee or of those who have to pass upon the measure. That has 
been the rule. 
Mr. Tawney. What have you to state as to the fact? 
Mr. Fautxner. I can not say as to the fact. 
Mr. Writiiams. The question I wanted to ask you was this 
Mr. Fautxner. This question will be decided to-day, I suppose, in 
the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. 
The Cuatrman. I wish the committee would allow the Senator to 
complete his statement. 
Mr. Swanson. Just this one question. I understand this bill pro- 
hibits the killing of males? 
Mr. Fautxner. Yes. 
Mr. Swanson. What is the proportion of males and females in the 
present herd? Have they got enough males for breeding purposes? 
Mr. Fautkner. Yes; I will come to that in a moment. 
The CHatrman. Now, let us let the Senator proceed and complete 
his statement. 
Mr. Fautxner. There are rookeries adjacent to. the island where 
breeding seals are found, as is known to Mr. Elliott, he having mar- 
ried on the islands. On these breeding rookeries the seal is never dis- 
turbed, nor are they ever driven. They are thoroughly protected, 
and there are on them, of all ages and sexes, to-day 15,000 seals. 
Four thousand five hundred males are ample to impregnate all the 
female seals on both of the islands. This is the opinion of the experts. 
Gentlemen, I have given a brief general review of the negotiations 
between the two countries. There are three propositions presented by 
this joint resolution. The first is, What consideration should be shown 
to the lessee, who, as a contractor with the Government, has rights 
and property interest which the abrogating of its contract, made in 
good faith with the United States, would subject to irreparable injury 4 
In 1890 the North American Commercial Company, after advertise- 
ment by the Government, entered into a contract with it for the 
exclusive right to kill seals for the period of twenty years. 
Mr. Wituiams, of Mississippi. What year was the beginning of the 
contract ? 
Mr. Fautxyer. May, 1890, or April; I do not remember, but it was 
in the spring of 1890. 
That contract gave the Government the right to protect fully the 
seal herd. If this is true, why this agitation, lask? Why are you 
compelled to attend this meeting session after session, to hear this 
question discussed, when by the terms of this contract it is in the 
power of the Department, after a full investigation, to limit and con- 
trol the killing of male seals in the preservation of the herd, as in its 
judgment it may determine to be to the interest of the United States, 
having at the same time proper regard to the interest of the lessee? 
Further than that, that power is now vested in your agent, who will 
exercise it and has exercised it annually. He fixes before the season 
opens the number of male seals that can be taken, after first. consider- 
ing all the facts officially within his knowledge, and especially the fact 
of the depletion of the herd. The reports of the Treasury agents give 
him all the information necessary for his decision. They are present 
on the islands, and not a seal can be killed by the agents of this com- 
