The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-12-01
RAYMOND W. PULLMAN.
fimes Washington Bureau. No. 70t
MefTODOItdn Bank RuiIdiuO


Metropolitan Bank Building.
WASHINGTON. Dec. las a re-
suit OF the European war the princi-
pal fur market OF
Fur Market the world may be
Of World. transferred from
London to one OF
the fur-selling centers of this country,
probably TO st. Louis or New York
The possibility of thls-change has
been given the serious consideration
OF officials OF the United States de-
partfnent of commerce, since the first
government auction sale OF sealskins
and foxskins taken from the Pribilof
Islands of Alaska was held in ST.
Louis last year. Last years sale was
an experiment but this year the sell
ing OF skins in this country Is consid-
cred necessary because OF the unset
tled market abroad. and details OF the
auction 10 be held In December will
be planned by Assistant Secretary
Edwin +. Sweet OF the department OF
commerce, who was in St Louis yes
terday looking into the matter.
In former years sealskins taken
from the Pribilof Island were shipped
TO London for sale, and there cured
and reshipped to dealers IN this coun-
try. At the present time the conven-
ton between the governments OF the
United States, Great Britain, Japan
and Russia establishes closed sea
son OF five years for sealing on the
Pribilof Islands, beginning Dec. IS.
1911. The skins which have been sold
since the convention went into effect
have been taken only from animals
the killing OF which was necessary to
supply food. oil, fats, clothing and
canoe covering for the natives of the
Pribilof Islands. The 1900 TO 5000
animals killed each year is small
compared with the number killed in
the ole days, when in some years
more than 100000 sealskins were
shipped 10 London from the Pribilof
Islands alone.
The first sale OF the sealskins In St.
Louis last year was a success, and
was attended by representatives Of
fur dealers OF most OF the leading
nations. The gross proceeds OF the
sale OF sealskins amounted TO $54,579,
or an average price OF S2S.7S per skin.
Although the previous years sale in
London had given return OF little
more than $37 apiece for the skins.
the low price received In this coun.
try last year was not unexpected, be-
cause low prices generally prevailed
at that time In the fur industry. Be
cause of the closed season In Alaska,
however, there IS an annual increase
expected In the price OF sealskins for
the next two or three years, and II is
believed that this years prices TO be
received at the auction 10 be held In
st. Louis during the month OF Deem
Der will reach the high water mark.
The selling by the government ,of
the sealskins and foxskins at auction
In St Louis Is looked to as the begin.
ming o, an American fur industry
which will not be dependent upon Eu-
ropean traders. In previous years
furs have been shipped abroad and
cured in the various European coun-
tries because claims were made that
the European controlled exclusive
secrets on treatment OF the skins Ex-
perts are now convinced, however,
that American methods are as sue
lcessful-if not more successful in
some cases-as those practiced in
Europe The sale Of skins in this
country and their treatment here will,
| II is thought, bring about lower prices
! for the consumer, owing TO the saving
OF the cost OF transportation back and
forth across the water and the ex-
pense and dangers OF injuring the
skins In. packing and repacking.
At the coming auction of sealskins
and foxskins TO be held in St Louis
there rs expected to be great In.
crease OF revenue 70 the government
over last years sales because OF the
increased number OF skins and the
increased price which is. expected to
be received. This years shipment
has just arrived in st. Louis and in.
cludes 1854 skins to be sold, against
1926 skins which were included In