The Washington times., 1910-03-28
Committee Gives Figures on
Diminution of Valu-
able Animal.
HALF A MILLION
SLAIN EACH YEAR
Since 1867 This Record Has Been
Kept Up, Until Only $4,000
Animals Are Left.

Seal skin sacks are about to become
a great luxury at the highest prices
known IN many years. according 70 leg
islatiOn which has passed the Senate
and now Is before the House Committee
on Ways and Means.
This legislation, which was proposed
by the Secretary of Commerce and La
bo'r, gives that Cabinet officer the right
20 create closed seasons which will pre-
vent the hunting and killing of fur seals.
He desires to establish such a season
Immediately, owing to the great rate at
which the seal herd on the Pribilof is
lands has been diminished By the pres
ent lessee of the islands. As the PribiIof
are practically the worlds only supply
ing ground Of fur seals, it IS easy to see
that such a course will send the price
Of seal furs soaring skyward.
Agreement Exists.
After this legislation IS adopted, as It
seems certain to be, ii IS probable that
this country Will open negotiations With
Russia and Japan to prevent hunting
fur seals at sea in waters close 20 the
PribilOf islands. Such an agreement
now exists with Great Britain
In support Of the Legislation to close
for period OF years the hunting OF
fur seals. Senator Dixon Of the Com
Tittee on Conservation OF Natural Re
sources. had this TO say:
Prom 1880 until these islands were
acquired by the United States. the kill
ing Of the male seals only was per
mitted under strict regulations Of the
Russian government, with the result
TruH #FaU a..
Of these islands In 1867, il was esti-
mated that there were about 100000
fur seals on the PriblOf Islands In
1870 the United States adopted the Ieas-
inS system in regard 10 the FUR seal
During the twenty-year period Of the
first lease. IN 1870. 10000 young male
seals were killed annually. i was estl-
mated that so late as lSS0 the fur seal
herd Appropriated about 10000 ami
mails. In 1896 the number had been re-
duced 10 about 10000. The estimate
Of the preseyt number OF seals on these
Islands varies from S000O 10 1+1G9. Last
season the catch OF male seals on these
Islands under the lease expiring April
30 was q little in excess Of 1900 male
seals
Revenues Produced.
Tt is estimated by the Government
officials that the revenue 20 the United
States Government from 1870 20 1880
from the fur-seal industry turned into
the Treasury an income OF S5,9SI, ,036 90
Since 1890, under the present leasing
system and the rapid dimlnutiOn Of the
seal herd, owing to the catch on land
and 70 peIasic sealing, the Government
has probably paid out for parrolIinE the
waters. in the pay Of its agents and
IN the maintenance Of the natives who
live on these islands, more than s. 90. .OOl
in excess Of TIE revenue formerly de-
rived from this industry. Your com
mtttee Is OF the opinion that II a closed
season could be established for the
islands themselves and pelagic sealing
could be prohibited for a period Of ten
years that the PrfbilOf Islands and the
American seal herd on the PribilOf Is
lands could be so rehabilitated that, un-
der proper regulations. not less than
10000 seal skins annually could be taken
that would yield the Government not
less than 100000 IN revenue yearly.
The President Of the United States
helng impressed with the urgent neccs-
sity OF legislation along the lines set
forth IN the bill under discussion saw
nj on the 18th OF this month to transmit
to Congress a special message regard
ing the critical condition Of the fur
seal Industry, which IS made a parr o.
this report and marked Exhibit A
The purpose OF the bill IS TO radically
and completely change the policy here
tOfore pursued with regard 70 the fur
seal Under the policy now in exist
ence this herd has diminished from
100000 in 1867, TO probably about 1000
at the present time. Instead OF the Ieas-
ing system heretofore provided for. the
present bill proposes 70 put the control
Of the seals wholly within the iurisdic-
ton OF the Secretary Of Commerce and
Labor. giving him the right TO estab-
lish closed seasons II he sees 6t 10
do so, and giving him the right 10 kin
such OF the male seals as the exD@ri-
ence Of the past thirty years seems to
Justify. The bill prohibits pelagfc seal
Ing by American citizens absolutely
north Of the thirty-hfth parallel of lati-
tude."