INVESTIGATION OF THE FTJB-SEAL INDTJSTKY OF ALASKA. 775 



put it on a pile of salt in a kench or bin, right beside the table; this 

 Salter's bench or table, stood like this [indicating]; we worked here, 

 and that salt kench was right there [indicating] ; then, after the green 

 weight had been recorded and this measurement taken, a smaller 

 skin than this one first picked up was picked up in turn by the same 

 native and put on the table in the same way, then measured, and 

 then passed over to the native in the kench, who would pass his hand 

 over the larger skin this way [indicating] and he would then throw 

 a handful or two of salt upon it and then put this smaller skin on top 

 of that larger skin, flesh to flesh, roll the edges up, and "bundle" it. 

 Then that "bundle" was handled in this way: The native who 

 bundled the skin would pass it to Mr. Hatton; Mr. Hatton would 

 put it on the scales, and Mr. Clark and Mr. Gallagher would note the 

 weight, and then simultaneously make the entries; if they disagreed 

 they would cover it in on the list all right before going further. 



Mr. McGuiee. Now, did the same men resalt each of those skins? 



Mr. Elliott. No; they changed men. There were 9 or 10 native 

 sealers, and they took turns; so that they worked as they had 

 worked in the salt house for 20 years. 



Mr. McGuiee. Did they have a scoop or anything else that held a 

 uniform amount of salt ? 



Mr. Elliott. No; they never salt that way. 



Mr. McGuiee. They just promiscuously 



Mr. Elliott (interposing) . It is a matter of judgment and ex- 

 perience. 



Mr. McGuiee. I see. They promiscuously took their hands and 

 threw on the salt ? 



Mr. Elliott. Not so "promiscuously." They do it with judg- 

 ment. If a skin has "welts" in it that are "raw," or if a skin shows 

 pink "lips," or anything of that kind, they will rub in more salt — 

 use a little more. 



Mr. McGuiee. They use more salt in some cases than in others? 



Mr. Elliott. Yes; due entirely to the condition of the skin when 

 they are bundling it. 



Mr. McGuiee. Then they will take two skins from the salt, weigh 

 them, and put on a quantity of salt in preparation for shipment? 



Mr. Elliott. And they have always done that for 20 years. 



Mr. McGuiee. And then they take two more, and by reason of 

 the condition of those skins they may require a greater or less quan- 

 tity of salt ? 



Mr. Elliott. That runs all through, and it averages up. 



Mr. McGuiee. Is that right ? 



Mr. Elliott. Yes. 



Mr. McGuiee. So there is more salt used in some cases than in 

 others ? 



Mr. Elliott. Yes; it varies. So when you get 400 skins you 

 average up pretty well. You get a pretty nice average when you get 

 400 skins. If you were only taking a half dozen skins, or taking out 

 a fcw skins, it would be different. 



Mr. McGuiee. You would get an average in 400 skins, but under 

 no circumstances would you get just the same quantity of salt on 

 the various skins ? 



Mr. Elliott. No. 



