582 INVESTIGATION OF THE EUK-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 



Mr. McGuire. Do you know whether that report has been pub- 

 lished « 



Mr. Clark. Not to my knowledge; it has not been published to my 

 knowledge. 



Mr. McGuire. When did you make the report? When was it 

 sent in ? 



Mr. Clark. The report was dated at Stanford University, Cal., 

 September 30, 1913. 



Mr. McGuire. Do you know whether that report has been pub- 

 lished, Mr. Chairman? 



The Chairman. I do not. 



Mr. McGuire. I would like to have that report published. It 

 ought to be published and made a part of the record here. I think 

 the committee ought to have it published. 



The Chairman. Suppose we take that up later — that is, as to what 

 is the best to do. 



Mr. McGuire. I suppose we could have it published now if the 

 committee wants it. I would like to have it published in connection 

 with the examination of this witness. 



The Chairman. We will take it up with the committee later. On 

 page 253, former hearing No. 6, is a message which was sent to the 

 Senate and House of Representatives by President Taft. I would 

 like to read it and then have you make such observations as you 

 care to make. 



Mr. McGuire. What is the date of that ? 



The Chairman. The date is March 15, 1910. 



By the terms of section 19G3, United States Revised Statutes, the Secretary of 

 Commerce and Labor is directed, at the expiration of the lease which gives the 

 North American Commercial Co. the right to engage in taking fur seals on the islands 

 of St. Paul and St. George, to enter into a new lease covering the same purpose for a 

 period of 20 years. The present lease will expire on the 30th of April, 1910, and it is 

 important to determine whether or not changed conditions call for a modification 

 of the policy which has so far been followed. 



The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce and Labor unite in recom- 

 mending a radical change of this policy. It appears that the seal herds on the islands 

 named have been reduced to such an extent that their early extinction must be looked for, 

 unless measures for their preservation be adopted. A herd numbering 375,000 12 years 

 ago is now redi ced to 134.000, and it is estimated that the breeding seals have been 

 reduced in the same period of time from 130,000 to 56,000. The rapid depletion of 

 these herds is undoubtedly to be ascribed to the practice of pelagic sealing, which 

 prevails in spite of the constant and earnest efforts on the part of this Government 

 to have it discontinued. 



The policy which the United States has adopted with respect to the killing of seals 

 on the islands is not believed to have had a substantial effect upon the reduction of 

 the herd. But the discontinuance of thus policy is recommended in order that the United 

 States may be free to deal with the general cjueslion in its negotiations with foreign countries. 

 To that end, it is recommended that the leasing system be abandoned for the present, 

 and that the Government take over entire control of the islands, including the in- 

 habitants and the seal herds. The objection which has heretofore been made to this 

 Eoliey, upon the ground that the Government would engage in private business, has 

 een deprived of practical force. The herds have been reduced to such an extent that the 

 question of profit has become a mere incident, and the controlling question has become one 

 of conservation . 



It is recommended, therefore, that the provision for a renewal of the lease be re- 

 pealed, and that instead a law lie enacted to authorize the Department of Commerce 

 and Labor to take charge of the islands, with authority to protect the inhabitants 

 substantially as has been done in the past, and to control the seal herds as far as present 

 conditions admit, pending negotiations with foreign countries looking to the discontinu- 

 ance of pelagic sealing. If this result can be obtained, as is confidently believed, there 



