The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-05-15
KILLING OF SEALS
is RECOMMENDED
Secretary Of Commerce Redfeld Will
Take Favorable Position, Accord
ing to Present Expectations.

| datlons oil commission OF three scIcn
tific experts with a view TO resumption
of commercial killing of seals at the
Pribilof islands in the Bering sea will bt
recommended next winter by the secrc
tary OF commerce, William 9. Redfield
according to present expectations. The
ultimate future of the Alaska seal herd
has been vexed international problem
for years.
Canada and Japan, which are interest.
ed financially in the American herd by
the term OF a treaty which abolished
pelagic sealing, made an investigation
contemporaneously with the American
experts. Both governments have made
representations to the United States
that the condition of the seal herd war
rants resuming sealing operations at
once.
The report of the three American
experts, submitted to Congress in its
closing days and about to be published
is by Wilfred H. Osgood, Edward A.
Preble and George II. Parker selected
by the National Academy OF Science, the
Smithsonian institution and the secre.
tary OF agriculture at the instance of
the secretary of commerce. These men
investigated conditions on the Pribilof
island last summer
Their report. whose revision has Just
been completed, points out that the
treaty effective December Is, 1911, be-
tween the United States, Great, Japan
and Russia. is essentially an agree
ment by which the foreign nations re-
linguish their right to take seal on the
high seas in exchange for share
i'll land sealing to be conducted by the
United States. Great Britain and Jap
an paid large sums to retire their seal
ing fleets, obviously expecting to be re-
imbursed in the near future by their
Is per cent share OF land sealing" The
United States reserved the right to sus-
pend land sealing if necessary to pro
tect and preserve the seal herd and to
increase its number. This suspension
occurred in 1912. The report contends
that now, after three seasons without
commercial sealing, there is no neces-
sity for continued suspension.
"The condition of the heal herd in
1914 says the report. SIS such that re-
sumption of commercial sealing on a
moderate scale in 1915 could be under
taken with confidence that the protec
ton and growth of the herd would not
be jeopardized in the slightest degree.
The inference is clear that unless seal
ing is resumed agitation will continue
and integrity OF most desirable treaty
The vonminous report states that
the people of the Pribilof islands, |
though not natives, have for so
long made the islands their home |
that they recognize no other place.
They are a people still semi-civilized,'
says the report. They constitute her
tage acquired by the United States
with the islands and their valuable wild |
inhabitants, and considerations of econ
,my and humanity demand that they |
" accepted as such and managed with |
II possible wisdom and fairness.
MANY changes in the methods of
lealng with the natives seem to be
leal will depend on the personality of
he officials in charge. II is believed that
he work necessary to put the sealing
liant on an efficient basis and the re-
in the near future of CONNER
ial sealing, accompanied by better
ystem OF compensation and the oppor
unity of exchanging the reward OF their
abor according to their desires, will help
o make the natives self-respecting and
he people may become an entirely self
Importing, efficient, happy community"
There are good reasons. from both
economy and welfare OF the seal herd,
o resume commercial sealing at once
he report concludes There should be
My two restrictions to practically guar
ntee growth and preservation Of the
erd. These arc the females should not
g killed for their skins or for food and
hat breeding bulls should be maintained
4 numbers sufficient to supply one 60
ach forty bearing COWS.
The report says the management Of
u the animals should be placed in charge
{ specially qualified officer and the
Of the natives and the fiscal
fairs under another officer. the former
aving senior rank That the Pribilof herd
not on the verge Of extinction il A..
srtcd with tic declaration that com
Iete rehabilitation Of the herd nav be-
,n6denily expected in view of its pres
It size and condition. Provisions com.
.ensurate with the needs and impor-
Ince Of the property in yolved. the re-
lrt adds "are 20 he regarded as wise
vestments and c1irtailment Of opera
ons At this time IL not justified by con-
tions"
Among statements by The three e1-
ITS ares
The fur zeal herd coHtains approx
ately $4,000 individuals, 1920 oil
ZEN besring female seals. The ratio
one seal bull 10 forty barring cows
eets al possible demands ~ safety
"a conservation. The Law Of 1912 stop
ne commercial killing has greatly IN
eased the male seals. The male seals
ID ~ greatly in excess vs. 1915 The
I'd is in excellent condition. Wearing
ale rarely rome n land 81 al Until
Ter the close 81 the killing -eason. The
.rfase ID thr uumisrr of bearing -ral
ws vas small Marking Of breeding
SERIES with psrnlsueut bot iron brand
prsctieahie. Method 81 Killing seals =
Z Objectionable from the hnrnanr
,nfpoiut bot shorter drives afe dasfr-
o.. Dead nnimals should ~ MEASURED
forfiafng ~ inntf the present s1strrn 81
CHING tsifr nntiTusted Buildings
.nsrsertatiun rHff hrds ard met iap1s ri
~ neea general rsfarms. TIE far
a i iu poar runiitien. fhe rsimaasr