INVESTIGATION OF THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 747 



Mr. Elliott (interposing) . No ; these are away up above what they 

 were in 1869. Seal skins have trebled in value since that time. 



Mr. McGuire. What has caused that? 



Mr. Elliott. Scarcity. 



The Chairman. I mean, so far as the price of the skin of a small 

 and extra small pup is concerned ? 



Mr. Elliott. They run right together; they are about the same 

 thing. 



Mr. Stephens. What is the difference between the prices obtained 

 in St. Louis last year and the prices obtained in previous years ? 



Mr. Elliott. Oh, about the same. I think the Secretary did very 

 well in selling them in St. Louis. I think when you have so few of 

 them it is better to have the sale here, because there is the added cost 

 of going over there and the commission, so that it balances up. 



Mr. Patton. And there is the extra cost of advertising, and every- 

 thing else. 



Mr. Elliott. Yes. I will not go into that, but I think on general 

 principles, while we are handling but a few skins, that is the best way 

 to do it. 



Mr. Patton. And while we have the facts here ? 



Mr. Elliott. Yes, sir. Now^ gentlemen, I believe I am ready for 

 any questions and I will be glad to answer any that you care to put to 

 me. I have made all the statements I think it is necessary to make 

 and I do not think I am called upon to go outside to make statements 

 of a personal nature. I do not care anything about it. I am ready 

 to give any answers to you, whether upon anything I have stated or 

 otherwise. I shall be glad to answer all your questions and shall do 

 so frankly. 



Thereupon, by unanimous consent, a recess was taken until Friday, 

 March 13, 1914. 



Committee on Expenditures in the 



Department of Commerce, 

 House of Representatives, 



Friday, March 13, 1914. 



The committee this day met, Hon. John H. Rothermel (chairman) 

 presiding. 



TESTIMONY OF MR. HENRY W. ELLIOTT— Continued. 



The Chairman. You may proceed if you have any questions to ask, 

 Mr. McGuire. 



Mr. McGuire. Mr. Elliott, when were you first on the Pribilof 

 Islands ? 



Mr. Elliott. I first landed April 21, 1872, at Lukannon Bay, 

 St. Paul Island, at 9 o'clock in the morning. 



Mr. McGuire. Who owned those islands at that time ? 



Mr. Elliott. The United States Government. It was a Govern- 

 ment reservation. 



Mr. McGuire. In what capacity did you go ? 



Mr. Elliott. As an assistant agent of the United States Treasury 

 Department, and unofficially, as a collaborator and associate of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, to make collections and studies of the seal 

 life, birds, and everything else. 



