Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-11-10
ALASKA ONE OF UNCLE
SANS BEST BARGAINS

ue; 1t Is what you get, get, GET. for
the money you pay! That's what
counts!"
II was a thrifty, old.time country
banker speaking. and he clinched the
argument home with a thrust OF his
closed fist into the palm OF the other
hand. Its what you get-that's what
counts!" he repeated again and again.
When the United States bought
Alaska from Russia for the then huge
sum of 100000 there was adverse
comment aplenty throughout this
country. What a sum to squander
for barren waste OF rock and snow
land. far up in the Arctic zone. un-
developed. unvegetable, and of no pos
sible use or interest to a nation whose
chief wealth was agricultural, they
said
We Americans have a worldwide
reputation for making good bar
gain And assuredly Uncle Sam made
the best kind of a good bargain when
he paid over that same 100000 for
what is proving a veritable store
house OF treasure. The gold rushes
OF the Klondike and the Yukon are
still recent memories; while silver.
copper. platinum and the rarer min
erals whose uses are most scientific
contribute pretty large total to the
estimates OF national wealth.
The other day DR.. II. NJ. Smith.
United States Commissioner of Fish
cries. estimated that in fine furs alone
Alaska has already more than paid
for itself. The Alaska seals, which.
with the blue foxes of the Pribilof
Islands, are the property of the United
States, are his especial hobby. When
the Alaska sealskins were put on sale
at the Funston Fur Auction at st.
Louis recently-the exchange where
buyers from all over the world come
to fill their fur needs-he represented
the United States government in that
transaction.
Just get DIR. Smith talking on
Alaska and seals, and the enthusiasm
OF the true scientist shines forth Fol
many years private individuals
bought the Alaska sealing rights OF
long lease. They made no efforts tC
preserve this valuable property; kill
ings were enormous, and the entire
herd was almost exterminated. Fc
males, baby pups, yearlings were
the lessees.
Then Uncle Sam took the whole
matter into his own hands. Seal kill
ings were declared unlawful; poach
ers arrested and prosecuted. Russia
Japan, Great Britain and the United
States signed the Pelagic Treaty
which conserved esaling interests II
common. The United States engaged
a stan OF scientists to make close
investigation. When the FIVE years
closed season on seals expired in Au
gust, 1917, the Alaska seal herd-th,
most valuable in the world-had mul
tiplied many times in number, scien
tific care had produced finer pelt
valuable blue foxes were induced I,
herd on the islands, and the financia
returns to the United States treasur!
began to run into hundreds of thous
ands OF dollars annually.
Under government regime only tn,
prime fur pelts will be taken. Their,
will be permitted no sacriflc OF f.
males. no killing of young. no youn,
left to starve and perish. The die
tates OF common sense and compass
sion will rule.
An interesting point was made b,
DR.. Smith in the course OF converse
ton. Formerly all Alaska sealskini
were sailed, shipped TO London to b,
dressed and dyed. The American
buyer had to travel to London. pa,
all expenses OF the Journey. and pa,
also duty OF 30 per cent on tn,
seSlskins coming back TO America
Hence their former high price. Nov
all this work is done in the United
States. When the great war started
the head Of the big Funston Fun
Auctions--where government seal
skins and other pelts are sold-just
picked up the leading seal dressing
and dyeing establishment OF London
and transferred II enbloc to 81. Louis.
By agreement with Washington NJ.
teen experts came over TO establish
he industry here. Now there are
,yer 200 skilled workers in this for.
neriy foreign trade. and Alaska seal.
kIns are caught, cured, dressed. dyed
nd machined and sold right here at
ONE
Next summer viii see the resump-
on OF sealing again on q large scale:
nd Dr. Smith believes that there will
> a euf1c!ency of pelts for trnde re.