INVESTIGATION" OF THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 43 5 



Mr. Clark. Yes. Now, as to the young seals- 



The Chairman. All right; you can explain that now. 



Mr. Clark. When I say that all of the seals that appeared on the 

 hauling grounds were killed, I mean merely that all of the two-year- 

 old animals were included in the quota of 1909, or practically all of 

 them. Of course, I do not say all of them reached the islands, but 

 such as were taken. I do not mean that yearlings were killed dis- 

 tinctly. At that time I was not absolutely sure of my position in 

 that matter. You will note I have stated here in my 1909 report, at 

 the bottom of page 853 : 



For the season of 1909 there is every indication that the lessees have taken every 

 available bachelor above the age of 1 year, with the exception of the marked reserve. 



That is my statement and decision alter consideration of all the 

 factors entering into the problem. Now the question has been raised 

 on the basis of a remark made on page 851, that I declare there that 

 yearlings were killed in 1909. The critical point in that statement 

 is this: 



During the present season and for some seasons past, a minimum of 5 pounds has 

 been in force, the skins taken ranging in weight all the way from 4 to 14^ pounds 

 bringing all classes of animals from yearlings to 4-year-olds into the quota. 



The Chairman. Then why did you say a little while ago that no 

 yearlings were killed? 



Mr. Clark. I did not mean to say that out and out. 



The Chairman. Is it not a fact that yearlings were killed? Is not 

 that your statement now ? 



Mr. Clark. I wish to explain that. 



The Chairman. Answer first yes or no and then explain it. 



Mr. Clark. A few yearlings were killed, yes. Now I would like 

 to call your attention to page 875, which is the basis for that remark. 



The Chairman. Now just go on and explain it, but I think I will 

 cover that pretty well as we go along. On page 893 of Appendix 

 A 



Mr. Clark (interposing). Could we look at 875 so as not to miss the 

 connection ? 



The Chairman. Yes. 



Mr. Clark. At the bottom of page 875 is a table which gives the 

 weights of skins for the seasons of 1904, 1905, 1907, 1908, and 1909. 

 You will note there was one skin weighing 3| pounds in 1907. There 

 were 5 skins in 1904, 17 in 1905, 3 in 1907, and 5 m 1908, that weighed 

 4 pounds. There were 6 skins in 1904, 33 in 1905, 2 in 1907, 17 in 

 1908, 1 in 1909, that weighed 4£ pounds. 



Mr. Patton. That was 4^ pounds, was it not ? 



Mr. Clark. Yes; 4£. Thirty-two in 1904, 106 in 1905, 15 in 1907, 

 13 in 1908, and 2 in 1909 weighed A\ pounds; 72 in 1904, 139 in 1905, 

 2 in 1907, 3 in 1908 and 13 in 1909_ weighed 4|. Now those were 

 yearlings. I admit that, and there is the number, about 500 in 5 

 years. 



The Chairman. Now, Mr. Clark, you say you give the weights in 

 your table % 



Mr. Clark. Yes, sir. Those were taken from the island records. 



The Chairman. They were taken from the record as made by the 

 Government agents and the sealing company % 



Mr. Clark. Yes. 



