The Cordova daily times., 1919-05-19
each year can be safely done without impairing in the slightest degree the

T
 impairing in the slightest degree the
 birth rate.
 Under the old leasing system, which lasted for 40 years until termin- ated by congress in 1910, young male seals to the number of 2,320,000 were taken by the lessees, who paid an annual rental and royalty on each skin. The skins were salted and ship ped to London and there sold at pub lie auction. After being dressed and dyed by secret process, 70 to 80 per cent of the skins were imported into the United States and made into gar ments for the use of our people. But l all this is now ancient history. Gone is the leasing system with its attend ant objectionable features; gone is the shipping of Alaska skins to Lon- don; gone are the dressing and dye l. ing of such skins in London.
 When the business history of Amer ica is written, one of the most note- worthy achievemnts recorded of the 2Oth century will be the part played in 1914 by the department of con- merce, acting through and in behalf of the bureau of fisheries, in upsetting the unbroken practice of upward Of two generations and decreeing that government-owned fur seal skins should no longer be sent abroad at increased expense and sold for the benefit of foreign merchants, but should be sold at home for the i'm mediate benefit of American mer- chants and American trade. This de- cision, made at a time when the fur market was in a depressed condition, required strong administrative con- victions, and was not only justified by the pecuniary results of the initial sales, but has been more than war ranted by the impetus given to the whole American fur trade, by making America the great fur seal market Of the world and by the establishment in America of a plant where raw seal skins may be dressed and dyed, thus putting an end to complete depend ence on Europe which Americans heretofore have had for every pre- pared seal skin used in making gar ments. The effects of this new dis pensation have been strikingly exhib- ited in the past year, following the resumption of comercial sealing, by greately increased revenues to the government, increased trade and dim iroshed cost to the public of the most serviceable of all aquatic furs. A log ical outcome of this would be the adoption of the Alaskan seal as the national fur, consummation that the bureau of fisheries is endeavoring to bring about.
 To Young Men of America If you are not subject to cold feet; if you do not become weary while making the grade; if you are not afraid to take a chance, come to Alaska If you have few thousand dollars with which to start something after your arrival, so much the better. This is a country of mighty posslb1ll- ties. It offers unrivaled opportunities for mineral prospectors, fishermen, those seeking homes for purpose Of agriculture, stock raising, hunting, trapping any many other pursuits. It is Americas last frontier. Are you game to take a chance on it? Don't come expecting to find gold nuggets growing on trees or full larders With out exertion on your part. There are many positions here but employers are leary about contracting labor by mail. Those who apply in person are the ones who secure the positions. It is proverbial of Alaska that deserv- ing person, man or woman, can ln- variably secure honest employment at good wages noro. DOu COule Il you are quitters.
 Special Election June 8.
 Owing to the death of Delegate elect to Congress Charles A. Sulzer, special election will be held on June 3 to fill the position. The late MT. Sulzer had the respect and esteem of all regardles of party and his death was a serious blow to Alaska.
 % "AIaska Has Changed"
 The Rochester, N Y., Chronicle says: "Of truth it is far cry to the days, not so many years past, how ever, when it was literally true that There is no law of God or man runs north of '53.' Those were rough crude times, and the law of the gun and the strong arm prevailed. Now things are different. Alaska Is civ ilized country, and it has bureau of