Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-04
ASSISTANT SECRETARY HAMI.IN,
He Tells of His Trip and What He
Will DO In Alaska.
from the Tacoma Ledger,

From the Tacoma Ledger.
Charles S. Hamlin. assistant secretary of
the treasury, who arrived in Tacoma late
Tuesday night. is the guest of II. c. Wal
lace Chief Justice Fuller's son-in-law), at
the latter's residence. 400 North street,
the two being old friends. AS a guest Of
Mr.. Wallace. he was taken to Point De-
fiance in a naphtha launch in the afternoon,
and spent most Of the afternoon on the
water. Besides Mr. Hamlin and Mr. Wal
lace. the party included United States Dis
trict Attorney Brinker. Postmaster A. B.
Case. United States Marshal Drake, Henry
Drum, p. Tillinghast and T. Il. Wallace.
After delightful trip on the bay, the party
returned between and o'clock.
In his trip, which has thus far been ex-
tended from New York to the Pacific coast,
Mr.. Hamlin is accompanied by his private
secretary, j. w. McGrath, and by J. ].
Crowley, supervising special agent Of the
treasury. The latter will only accompany
him as far Port Townsend, while Mr.
Hamlin will go to Boring sea. In speaking
of his trip yesterday Mr.. Hamlin said: Il
am through an examination of the customs
districts, with view of improving the
service and enlarslng the force if neces-
sary. L have made the inspection in Cal
lrornia and oregon, and am now looking
over the work in Washington.
Needs of the Service.
This is a great country for climate, and
ing the service with a view of finding out
how far the force needs increasing. and
what the department can do to help the
merchants of this country. 1t was felt to
be advantageous for one closely connected
with the service to make such a visit to
the different customs districts, and / was
only too glad to have the opportunity of
coming
Il find affairs at this point in excellent
shape. The work is well done, but the force
should be larger. Two more inspectors are
needed and steamer or naphtha launch.
This district is especially a good place for
smuggling, and the collector should be well
equipped. 1 regard this as very important
port. and We must strengthen the collector
by giving him equal facilities with the
smuggleIs l shall take the revenue cutter
Grant in the morning and go over to
Seattle, remaining there over night; going
thence TO Everett. Port Townsend. Port
Angeles and also visiting the supports
the northern part of the sound.
The Trip to Alaska.
Then i shall go on beard the cutter Rush
and go across the North Pacific to Boring
sea to visit the seal islands. If possible /
shall visit the Alaska ports on my return.
The object of the trip to the seal islands
is to lock into the condition of the sealing
industry, and determine the question of
now many seals can be killed. Some years
ago the Alaska Commercial Company was
allowed to catch looNp seals annually, but
for the past three years the present COM
pany has been limited TO 1900. This year
the catch is limited to that number, with a
proyiso that II the conditions warrant, the
catch can he extended to 2u,UJO seals.
1t is 70 determine these conditions that l
am going there. and the contract runs
for twerty years Ii is of great Importance to
find out how fast the seals are diminishing
l assume that the cause in the failing off
in the numbers of the seal herd is the re-
suit OF peiasic sealing, but that is now well
under control. Then there are questions
relative to the salmon fisheries in Alaska
that l am to look into, and the question of
importation of liquor into that country is
also giving the department some trouble.
In addition there are many other questions
in connection with ALASKA, such as the dis
position of the many islands, which the
Secretary of the Treasury has the authority
to lease, which 1 shall inquire into"