FUR SEALS OF ALASKA. 71 
Observe the eloquent and impressive significance of the contrast made in the above 
table between the catches of 1894 and 1903: In 1894, out of a total of 16,031 skins, 
12,000 were ‘‘prime;’’ in 1903, out of a total of 15,180 skins, only 646 were ‘‘prime!”’ 
Thus these figures, which are correct beyond the shadow of error, show beyond 
contradiction or argument that is sensible or honest that the lessees have left nothing 
of the young male life on the seal islands alive worthy of notice at the close of their 
work, August 1, 1903, except the pups born that season in Juneand July, and which 
they will kill, if permitted, as eyeplasters in 1904. 1f they arepermitted they will get 
everyone that hauls out. 
What better warrant can be desired by the committee for suspension of the lessees’ 
work ‘‘at once and indefinitely”? than the testimony of these figures as given above? 
Henry W. Exxiorr. 
Marca 9, 1904. 
Exuisir G. 
[Memorandum (D) for Ways and Means Committee.] 
In re sizes of seals taken, catch of 1908, showing that females were killed. 
The number of fur seals taken by the lessees on the seal islands of Alaska, season 
of 1903, was 19,212. They were permitted to get 30,000 if they could find them, but, 
with every effort, they could not. 
Of these, 15,180 were sold in London December 17, 1903. 
The catalogue of this sale shows the following sizes and ages of those skins, each 
skin being so assorted and stamped by anexpert. The balance of the catch was held 
over for the next December sales. 
Catch of Pribilof Islands, season of 1903. 
Skins 
4-year-old skins, 9 to 11 pounds each, or “‘prime”’....--...---------------- 72 
38-year-old skins, 7 to 8 pounds each, or ‘‘prime”’..-..----...-------------- 574 
2-year-old skins, 6-pound skins, or ‘‘short”’....-.-.-.--------------------- 1, 500 
1-year-old skins, 34 to 5 pounds each, or ‘‘eyeplasters” .........-.---..---. 18, 034. 
MO tate lie CC eye pear ahh tn Rah yee Le etd AR od 15, 180 
Thus, the committee observe that out of 15,180 skins taken on the islands last sum- 
mer, us of them were yearlings, or the pups born in 1902—nothing else left alive 
to kill. : : 
Male and female yearlings are exactly alike in size, color of coats, and weight. 
They can not be distinguished apart as to sex when driven up together on to the killing 
grounds, unless each seal is separately seized, turned over, and examined. There- 
fore, any killing of yearling seals is against the law. They can not be killed without 
killing females unless each and every seal is handled prior to clubbing it. This 
handling never has been done by our people; it is impracticable. 
Seal pups are born equal in number as to sex. They grow up as yearlings and as 
2-year olds are exactly alike as to outward shape and markings, color of coats, etc. 
The skin of a normal 2-year-old male seal is about one-half pound heavier than that 
of a 2-year-old female, i. e., 6 pounds for the male and 53 pounds for the female. 
There is no difference otherwise as to quality. 
Therefore this ‘‘killing’’ which is here thus witnessed in the London sales on St. 
Paul Island, June and July, 1903, must have included female seals; it could not have 
been otherwise; but the law declares that a female seal shall not be killed there 
under fine of not more than $1,000 for each animal so killed, or imprisonment of not 
less than six months, ete. ; 
' That this work on the seal islands of Alaska of taking yearling seals has been steadily 
increased since 1899, these London sale catalogues declare most authoritatively. 
It becomes imperative therefore to prevent it. 
; ‘ Henry W. Exuiorr. 
Marca 9, 1904. 
Nore, sUPPLEMENTAL-—The driving annually after the lessees have salted and 
shipped their skins from the islands is called ‘‘food skin’’ driving; but just the same 
rules and order of killing is followed as in the work of killing which begins the sea- 
sson’s work. ‘‘Food drives’’ are steadily made until the last seals depart in December. 
In this way the lessees get every seal that hauls out that they want to get; they want 
them all. 
H. W. E. 
