The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-12
ST. LOUIS FUR
CENTER OF WORLD.
Sale of All the Government
Catch of Seal Skins and Fox
Skins in That Market
Headquarters and Tanning
Outfit Maintained Now in
London Will be Removed at
Once to Missouri City

The United States government.
through Secretary Of Commerce Red
heid. has Just made a decision that
VIII make St. Louis the fur center OF
the world.
That is, TO change the sale of all
Ihe government catch of seal skins.
foxes and other Alaska furs. from
London to St Louis,
This is the first time in history
that the American seal catch has been
marketed through American channels,
and the action Of Secretary William G.
Redfield is regarded by the commer-
ctai organizations and bureaus OF
commerce with great favor, particu-
larry AS being significant of the activity
OF the Wilson administration in pay
ing close attention To all manufacture
ing and trade interests.
The United States thus will dispose
/ of several thousand raw seal skins cone
stituting the 1913 catch. And under
the protecting laws favoring the in
crease of seals, the sale will increase
many fold in the coming few years.
The next step will be the removal
I from London Ia ST Louis of seal skin
tanners and dyers. establishing In
America a great new manufacturing
industry.
Thus viii a trade OF great propor-
lions be- fostered. But more than this
( ii VIII mean the elimination OF the
present heavy duty now paid on dress
ed and dyed skins prepared In Europe:
while the skins will be dressed and
dyed In America just as wei. II NOT
better, according to the statement OF
the best European dyers themselves.
The economy thus effected by this
home industry and hy the absence OF
the former heavy duty will eventually
mean saving of several hundred dol-
lars a garment tn milady In the pur-
chase of the aristocrat Of all furs.
The government furs. by tho decis-
/ ion Of Secretary of Commerce Redneld.
win be sold at public auction by Fun
stem Bros q Co, of st. Louis, who
are erninently qualified for the respon-
sihility
The first sale is scheduled for sons
time in December, al which time the
representatives of the great furriers
of America and Europe viii ASSEM-
BILE at the. Funston Fur exchange, where
this wonderful collection OF seal skins
viii be sold to the highest bidder.
! Philip h. Feulke and A NJ. Ahern. OF
Funstens. VIII conduct the sale OF the
st. Louis firm.
Some Seal History.
| The history OF the seal IL one Of the
most absorbing and romantic ct all
the great American industries. Whflo
1 the United States government ha1
produced wonderfully interesting
books on the subject, and which can
be had free OF charge. the whole coun-
try will he interested in a few facta
bearing on the seal history OF North
America, especially in the light Of tho
recent action of the department. Of
commerce, which stamps st. Louis a.
the fur center Of the world.
The price paid TO Russia for the
whole of Aiaska was $1,000 600. The
revenue from the seal islands alone
rough, barren, forbidden spots that
comprise but an infinuesirnal area u
the Alaska map--has been S15sDoQ. 00ea
more than twice the sum paid Tor
( the entire territory.
This area comprises the Pribtfo1f
Islands discovered In T7S6 by the Rnx~
sian navigator whose name the isiandAss
bear. II is the seat OF the most ltukS
portant fur seal colony In the NQtl5s I.
Next iii importance II the Comnnnx
herd. oNnAA hy Russia,
E,ssa ~ h! e.