INVESTIGATION OF THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 123 



for human agency to do so. The weights of skins taken on the islands show this, 

 and futhermore these weights have been verified in London by an independent and 

 responsible body of men." (Hearing No. 9, pp. 374, 375, Apr. 13, 1912.) 



Mr. Lembkey. We have found on the islands that the most reliable way of gauging 

 seal skins so as to classify them into different ages is that of weight, of weighing the 

 skins. We have very reliable data showing that 2-year-olds seldom, if ever, weigh 

 less than 5 pounds, and we also have data which gives xis the information that the 

 skins of 3-year-olds weigh from 6i to 8h pounds. Upon that basis we have established 

 our regulations. (Hearing No. 9, p 398.) 



In re the salt weights and measurements of 400 fur-seal skins taken 

 July 7, 1913, on St. Paul Island, Alaska, and recorded July 29, 1913 



The following order of procedure was adopted and reduced to 

 writing July 29, 1913, by Messrs. Elliott and Gallagher, agents, 

 House Committee, Expenditures Department of Commerce. 



A copy was given to the United States agents in charge of the Seal 

 Islands, Messrs. Chamberlain 1 and Hatton, who attended and 

 assisted in the work as thus conducted by Messrs. Elliott and 

 Gallagher at the village salt house, St. Paul Island, Tuesday, July 

 29, 1913, from 9 a. m. till this work was finished at 6 p. m., same day. 



Order of procedure in salt house, village of St. Paul, July 29, 1913, 

 which will be followed on the occasion of taking the measurements 

 and salt cured weights of a series of 400 fur-seal skins, secured 

 July 7, 1913, on St. Paul Island. 



Said measurements and weights are to be taken by special agents 

 of House Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Com- 

 merce, Messrs. Henry W. Elliott and A. F. Gallagher, publicly, in 

 the salt house of the Government July 29, 1913. 



First. An interpreter will ask the native sealers to elect four or 

 five of their number to salt and bundle these skins for shipment, 

 as being the men most experienced, and best workers in salting and 

 bundling sealskins, in the community. 



Second. These men are to " spread" these skins aforesaid (and 

 which are duly tagged and numbered with their "green" weights, 

 as taken July 7 last) upon a Salter's bench for measurement, one by 

 one, as they are asked to do so by the agents above named. 



Third. When those agents have measured them for length, one 

 by one, then those native salters shall proceed to salt and " bundle" 

 these skins (in bundles of 2 skins each) precisely as they have done 

 that work in 1889, under the direction of the agents of the A. C. Co., 

 and since that date under the direction of the agents of the N. A. C. 

 Co. up to 1909. This work of salting and bundling to be done by 

 those native salters aforesaid, without any suggestion or interfer- 

 ence from or by anyone during the progress of their work to its 

 finish. 



Fourth. When each bundle of two tagged salt skins is duly made 

 by those salters, it will then be weighed and numbered, with that 

 weight duly recorded and publicly announced by said agents at the 

 time of such record and entry. 



A copy of the above order of procedure having been duly given to 

 the agents of Bureau of Fisheries in charge of St. Paul Island, 

 Monday evening, July 28, 1913, on Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock 



'Mr. Chamberlain being ill was duly represented by Messrs. Hatton ,Clark, Whitney, and Lembkey. 



