FUR SEALS OF ALASKA. 67 
This also applies to the cow census of 1903. A decline of ‘17 per cent in the num- 
ber of breeding bulls’’ takes place this year according to the report of the Govern- 
ment agent. 
Findings of fact contrasted as to the diminution of the acreage of the breeding grounds of 
the fur seal on the Pribilof Islands, Bering Sea, Alaska, as determined and established 
by the biological surveys of 1872-1874, 1890, and 1908. 
[Then observe the remarkable record of the work in getting skins made in 1908 when contrasted with 
that of 1872 in the tables following, taken from the London sale catalogties.] 
Island. Rookery or breeding ground of fur seals./1872-1874. 1890. 1903. 
Acres. Acres. Acres. 
The Reef rookery .............2-2.----- 14 64 (2) 
.| The Gorbatch rookery........---....-- 8 4 2) 
...| The Lagoon rookery....-....--.------- 1 2 2) 
.| The Tolstoi rookery........-...--.----- 10. 3 2) 
The Upper and Lower Zapadnie rook- 20% 53 (2) 
eries. 
The Ketavie rookery ..........-... aries Ts 13 2) 
The Lukannon rookery........-..2.--- 8 34 ?) 
The Big and Little Polavina rookeries. 14 64 2 
The Novastoshnah rookery ...---...-.. 55: 10 ? 
The Nah Speel rookery ........-.------ 0 i 
The Zapadnie rookery -.........-..- Cee j z 2 
The Starry Arteel rookery.....-..-..-. 1 2 Q 
The North rookery .......--.---------- 3 1¢ ? 
The Little Eastern rookery ......-..-.- $ 2 
The Great Eastern rookery ....-..-.... 1 £ 2 
Total acreage ......-...---222-2 2 147} 442 (?) 
_Notg.—The survey of 1890, made under authority of act of Congress, approved April 5, and pub- 
lished as House Document No. 175, Fifty-fourth Congress, first session. 
Exurpir D. 
The official proof of the killing of yearling seals on the Pribilof Islands by the lessees thereof 
in violation of law. 
[Memorandum for Ways and Means Committee, by Henry W. Elliott, March 9, 1904.] 
THE OFFICIAL DENIAL OF THE KILLING OF YEARLING MALE SEALS BY THE LESSEES ON 
THE SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, PRIBILOF GROUP. 
1903, Report of Speciai Treasury Agent Lembkey, in charge of the seal islands, to 
Secretary of Departmentof Commerce and Labor for the season of 1903: ‘There was a 
lack of 2-year-olds in particular noted during the height of the killing season. Why 
this was the case is problematical, but it is not due to land killing in the preceding 
year. This is easily demonstrated when it is known that these seals were yearlings 
in 1902 and that yearlings were not and have never been killed for skins.’”’ (Fur 
Trade Review, New York, December, 1903, p. 649.) 
THE OFFICIAL PROOF OF THE KILLING OF YEARLING MALE SEALS BY THE LESSEES ON 
THE SLAUGHTERING GROUNDS OF THE SEAL ISLANDS AS EARLY AS THE SEASON OF 
“1900. 
1901, Report of Special Treasury Agent Lembkey, in charge of the seal islands, 
August, 1901, to Secretary of Treasury: ‘‘The lessees during the season (1901) took 
skins ranging from a maximum of 10 pounds to a minimum of 5 pounds. Previous 
to 1900 the lowest limit of weight was 6 pounds, but a 5-pound limit was established 
that year, and during the past season (1901) as many 5-pound skins as could be found 
were taken.’’@ (See Fur Trade Review, New York, September 1, 1901, p. 452.) 
This official knew what he was saying in 1901, because the following classification 
of skins was published on the islands in 1872-1874, and accepted as the standard units 
«Here we have the official truth in 1901 by Agent Lembkey of the official untruth 
uttered by Agent Lembkey in 1903, taken from his own mouth; what the object of © 
this officer is, who denies in 1903 what he affirms in 1901, is not manifest (perhaps 
it is without point on his part—just ignorance). 
