The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1911-07-06
FOR BETTER PRO.
lection OF SEALS

of Russia, Eengland, Japan and the
United States has been trying to agree
on details for the preservation of the
fur seal herds. Russia and the United
States own the only fur seal rookeries
Pelagic sealers, chiefly Japanese and
Canadians, have almost exterminated
the herds by killing the seals in the
open sea, taking without discrimina-
tion all they could get and killing
many mothers, whose young then per-
ished. 1t is announced that the con-
ference has agreed on plan that is
Considered fair and equitable to every
one and that it will be announced
publicly in few days.
While this conference has been
going on the annual investigation of
the United States fish commissioner
has been in progrss by a committee of
congress. These investigations never
lead to anything and seem to be insti-
gated in the interest of persons who
would like to secure some advantage
from the sealing business. The gov
ernment seems to be doing every
thing in its power to protect the seal
herd. 1t maintains a station on the
Pribylof islands with teachers and
physicians and commissary for the
natives. 1t limits the "kill,' and it
is apparently succeeding in raising the
pups or young seals, one pair in the
fisheries building in Washington hav-
ing been there about year and
half now being well and thriving.
While the preservation of the seals
is a desirable thing, it must be re-
membered that had nothing ever hap
pened to diminish their numbers the
fisheries of. Alaska, one of the nation s
most valuable assets, would not have
the value they possess today. Seals
are voracious feeders, their diet is live
fish, and the two young seals in Wash
ington each eat IL pounds of fish
daily. When on their annual migra-
tions the seals speed through the wa
ter at the rate of mile minute and,
overtaking schools of fish in their
flight, they do not pause even to swal-
low them whole, but bite a mouthful
from a fish and hasten on. The num-
ber of fish the seals destroy is enor-
nous.
Preparing for Business.
The stimulus an exposition gives to
business is indicated by the activities
of transportation companies growing
out of the necessity of getting ready
for the two expositions, San Francis
co and San Diego, in 1915. The Union
Pacific has announced that it will
double track it's whole system, the
Southern Pacific is planning to build
another line across the Sierra Nevadas
into California, the Spreckels brothers,
John ID. and A. b., are building rail
road eastward from San Diego to Yuma,
and now the Pacific Coast Steamship
company announces that it is about
to lay the keels of two S,000-ton
steamships, to cost $3,000,000, to carry
the crowds of the exposition year be-
tween Seattle, San Francisco and San
Diego.
An Irrepressible Senator.
That good old farmer, Senator Mar
tine, of New Jersey, occasions Vice
President Sherman great deal of
trouble. Senator MARITIME is very in
formal, and when he wishes to make
remark he does SO without asking
anybody's leave. This leads to more
or less effective attempts by the vice
president to get the program straight
ened out according to Hoyle and the
rules of the senate, but Senator Mar
tine manages to work off the rhetoric
in his system regardless of references
to "order''
Taxing Legislation.
The Island of Jamaica, under British
government, receives considerable
revenue from it's stamp duties. Dur
ing the fiscal year l909-10 the revenue
from the duties was $l20,446. The
American colonists rebelled when ask
ed to pay taxes in this form, but it
might not be a bad plan, and it would
tighten the work of congress a great
deal, if the United States should fol
low the example of Jamaica in one
particular, at least, namely in impos-
ing fee for the introduction of pri-
vate legislative bills. Jamaica re-
ceives fee of $243 for each private
legislative bill introduced.
The President not worrying.
While congress has been literally
stewing and fuming during hot wealth
er, President Taft has not been worry
ing a particle. His office is refrigerat-
ed to a comfortable temperature, but
if it were not the heat does not seem
to trouble him, for he plays golf on
the hottest days. He is prepared to
stick it out" all summer, if con
gress wishes to stay here that long and
he is just as strong for the passage OF
the reciprocity bill as ever. Reports
from various parts of the country
agree that the president is growing in
strength politically, although he is
averse to doing even the smallest thing
to make political capital. He will be
content to have history say that he
made capable and conscientious chief
executive,
President Win Assist.
An event of international sig tifi
cance will occur July 10, when Piesi-
dent Taft will assist in breaking
ground for an exposition to be held
in celebration of the completion and
opening of the Panama canal. Pfesi-
dent Taft will press a button which
will close an electric circuit in San
Diego, and "breaking OUT great
flag-the presidents own flag es-
pecially constructed of unusually large
size for the particular event-right
over the spot where the cermonies are
to take place. The ceremonies will
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