FUR SEALS OF ALASKA. 13 
not prevent the State Department from renewing negotiations inde- 
pendent of that submission. 
Mr. Wittiams. That is your understanding of the view point taken 
by the State Department? 
Myr. Fautxygrr. That is my understanding of the view point of the 
State Department. 
Mr. Watson. Are you at liberty to state what the Joint High Com- 
mission proposes to do with the seal question 4 
Mr. Fsutxyer. I would hardly feel at liberty todo so. Itisa con- 
fidential matter until the State Department should give it out. 
Mr. Tawnry. Under the contract how many seals is the company 
allowed to kill? 
Mr. Favixner. That is regulated by the Secretary of Commerce 
and Labor, annually. 
Mr. Tawney. How many in fact have been killed? 
Mr. Fautxyer. During the modus vivendi 7,500. The convention 
between Great Britain and the United States limiting the killing to 
that number—pending this award a sufficient number for food for the 
natives. Subsequently to the award it ran from 16,031, in 1894, to 
about 30,000, in 1896, which was the highest ever taken. Last year, 
it is my recollection there were about 19,000 taken. For twelve years, 
from 1890 to 1901, the average annual taking was 17,506. 
Mr. Mercatr. On the islands? 
Mr. Fautxner. Yes, sir. 
Mr. Hinz. And what was the number taken by pelagic sealing last 
year ¢ 
Mr. Fautxner. I think the estimate is about 27,000 last year. It 
is falling off. 
Mr. Hix. Because of the falling off of the herd? 
Mr. Faurxner. I think that is the reason. They are gradually 
giving it up, many of the boats are on the retired list. 
Mr. Hitz. Then, perhaps, in five years more, the fisheries will not 
be worth pursuing on that basis, will they ¢ 
Mr. Fautxner. I do not think it is possible to exterminate the herd 
under the regulations of the Department. 
Mr. Hi. But you can exterminate it commercially, can you not? 
Mr. Favixyer. I think commercially it can be. © If destroy ed com- 
mercially it would be unfortunate. When you force the people to 
discontinue the use of sealskins as a commercial article you lose the 
market for years, and it will be difficult to again build up the trade. 
That was demonstrated by the experience of the Alaska Commercial 
Company, of which, I think, Mr. Elliott was an employee. Were you 
not an employee of ‘that company, Mr. Elliott? 
Mr. Exrrortr. No, sir; I never was an employee of the Alaska Com- 
mercial Company. 
Mr. Fautxner. I beg your pardon. 
Mr. Extiorr. I know it is a common under tending: You do not 
want to misrepresent me; I am sure of that. 
Mr. Fautxner. This company had to spend thousands of dollars to 
build up the seal-fur trade. They did not dispose of their annual 
catch for several years because of a want of demand. If the killing 
was entirely suspended it would result in something else being substi- 
tuted for the Alaskan furs. That is the belief of those familiar with 
the trade. 
F s—04——2 
