Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-24

the scientific and practical side, the de-
partment has the support of the highest
authorities on seal life in the United
States. whose knowledge is derived from
personal study of the seal islands.
"The instructions and regulations re-
garding the taking of seal skins for the
present year are given in accordance
with the recommendations of the advisory
board. fur seal service, in conference with
the fur seal board appointed by Secre-
tary S<raus. All these gentlemen have
been to the Bribilof Islands and have
made careful study, first hand. of this
question, and many of them have also
visited the Commander Islands, owned
ana used for similar purpose by the
Russian government.
Among the men upon whose advice
and recommendation Secretary Nagel
acted are DR.. David Starr Jordan, presi-
dent OF Stanford University, chairman of
the fur seal commissions of 1895 and
1897, and DR.. L. Stejneger. curator of
herptology in the United States National
Museum, member of the fur seal COM
missions of 1895 and 1897 and resident for
two years on the Commander Islands
where he made thorough study of the
Russian seal herd.
1T is true that few other individuals
have freely volunteered advice as to the
administration Of this law. The fact
that this advice has not been followed
has evidently resulted in their personal
disappointment and dissatisfaction
Attitude Of Congress.
1.-THE statement that Congress- bv the
enactment of the seal law approved April
Fl, 1910 specifically intended a closed
season is refuted by reference to the. law
itself, which begins in these words:
That the Secretary of Commerce and
r oh ~l,o
killing Of fur seals and the taking of
seal skins on the Pribilof Islands, in
Alaska, under regulations established by
him limiting the manner in which such
killing shall be done and limiting the
number of seals to be killed whenever
he shall determine that such killing Is
necessary or desirable and not incon-
sistent with the preservation Of the seal
herd: Provided, That male seals only
95 per cent of three-year-old male seals
shall be killed in any one year.
ANY statement that Congress spe-
ciically intended the establishment of
q. closed season is further refuted by
the report made by the Senate commit
tee on conservation of national resources
when the bill was reported to the Sem
ate:
Instead of the leasing system hereto
fore provided for the present bill pro-
wholly within the jurisdiction of the
Secretary Of Commerce and Labor, CIV
ing him the right to establish closed
seasons, If he sees fit to do so, and CIV
ing him the right to kill such of the
male seals as the experience Of the past
thirty years seems to justify
THE suggestion that Secretary Nagel
deceived the committee, either of the
House or Of the Senate, by leading it
to believe that he intended to establish
a closed season. is refuted by the state
ments OF the Secretary at the committee
hearings. To the Senate committee he
said:
IF we once agree not to kill at all
we may find that we have. furnished the
very condition that makes it (pelagic
sealing) attractive; whereas, If we have
the power to do either, we are in
much stronger position
THE argument that the intention of
Congress to establish a closed season is
shown by the fact that $4,000 was ap-
propriated to support the natives. mas
much as. in the absence of any killing
the natives would be unemployed and
could not be supported out of their earn
ings, and because a further appropria-
ton of 100000 was made to reimburse
the North American Commercial Com
pany for its property on the islands, in
wolves a total misconception of the pur-
port of the legislation