INVESTIGATION OF THE FUE-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 631 



seals has been so close that enough of those animals were not allowed 

 to escape from killing to provide a sufficient number of male breed- 

 ers. In respect of this charge Mr. Elliott did not allege any especial 

 loss to the Government as that, for instance, because of the lack of 

 male breeders female seals were not impregnated that otherwise 

 would have been and consequently pups were not brough forth that 

 would have been born if the alleged conditions complained of had not 

 existed. He merely claims that by reason of alleged close killing of 

 these males natural selection of males was interfered with and the 

 str ngest males were not, in all cases, allowed to breed. He claims 

 that this would result in a deterioration of species by allowing the 

 weaker males to become sires of pups. 



As in the case of other charges before cited, Mr. Elliott produced na. 

 evidence to support this latter charge, but supported it with argu- 

 ment merely, based upon hypotheses which were open to serious 

 que-tion. He could not show that the killing for skins of immature- 

 males, which were too young by several years to breed had as- a 

 matter of fact interfered with the birthrate. His argument that the- 

 survival of the fittest was interfered with by killing of males, if it 

 had any weight at all, would imply that killing should be forever 

 stopped; because, if the killing of any males at all was injurious at 

 the time mentioned by Mr. Elliott it must be at all times, and there- 

 fore should never be permitted. 



To refute this charge the facts adduced, as shown by the evidence 

 are : 



(1) That an amnle reservation of voung males to survive as 

 breeders was made each year since 1904, inclusive, before any killing 

 at all for skins was allowed. 



Mr. Bruckxer. Might I ask how that was done, Mr. Lembkey? 



Mr. Lembkey. That was done by selecting annually 1,000 of the 

 3-year-olds and 1,000 of the 2-year-olds and marking them on the head 

 in such manner as to allow them to be readily distinguishable there- 

 after. They were marked in 1904 by the use of hot irons exclusively. 

 In 1905 they were marked partially by hot irons and partially by the 

 use of sheep shears. After 1905 they were marked exclusively by the 

 use of sheep shears. 



The Chairman. How old were they ? 



Mr. Lembkey. Two and three years. 



(2) That the condition has never been known on the islands of 

 breeding females being without pups, thereby demonstrating that 

 breeding males are at present in sufficient numbers. 



It can be seen from the foregoing that of the three charges offered 

 by Mr. Elliott against the methods of killing seals not only has a 

 single one not been proven, but no evidence even has been produced 

 showing thit there was ground for bringing these charges. In the 

 light of this lack of evidence I feel that the committee safely can con- 

 clude that these charges are groundless and should be dismissed. 



Mr. McGtjire. Did you hear Mr. Clark's statement that more than 

 5,000 pups born in 19i2 were branded on the head in 1912? 



Mr. Lembkey. I did. 



Mr. McGtjire. You may state if you were there at that time. 



Mr. Lembkey. I was. 



Mr. McGtjire. Do you know who took part in that branding, of the 

 agents of the Government ? 



