The sawmill has been very busy this spring. Between January 15 and May 31 it has cut 300,000 feet of lumber. Of this, 65,000 feet went into the construction of the new dock, 10,200 feet into the warehouse and cannery foundations, and about 200,000 feet have been sold, bringing the company $3,800. This amount does not represent a profit. To expect efficient service or dividends of the mill in its present condition is out of the question. The equipment is becoming so worn that frequent stoppage for repairs is necessary.

On the 1st of June the King salmon began to run and the mill crew followed the rest of the town to the fishing grounds. The King salmon fishing has been excellent this season. Many of the fishermen have earned more than $150. One boat has made about $800 in a month's time. Led by reports of business possibilities for the store in a location where many people camp for the King salmon season the trading company erected a small building and sent out a stock of goods this spring. This season the fish did not elect to swim in the neighborhood of the store, the people scattered to find the fish, and the venture will but little more than pay expenses.

The experience of the past year suggests the following recommendations: One man in Hydaburg is not enough to take care of the town's growing needs. There should be one man to attend to the industrial, commercial, and civic activities, and one to devote his time to the school and social life. A competent doctor or nurse with headquarters in Hydaburg is of paramount importance. In order to operate on a dividend-paying basis, the sawmill should be reconstructed in a new location, equipped with more power, a band saw and a larger planer, and the company should own a logging donkey engine. And, lastly, by the installation of a cannery, the town would gain, not only economically but mentally, morally, and physically.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE UNITED STATES PUBLIC SCHOOL AT KLAWOCK, IN SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA.

BY CHARLES E. HIBBS, TEACHER.

On account of the lateness of the canning season, school did not begin until the 1st of October. Most of the patrons of the school had returned to their homes by this time and we were able to begin school with a very good attendance, which was maintained throughout the school year. Our first month showed an enrollment of 69 pupils, while our average attendance for the year was 631. The total enrollment for the year was 88.

Mrs. Hibbs, taking the same grades she had the previous year, was able in a very short time to have all the pupils in her room properly located and doing their regular work. This is the first time since entering the native service I have had the oppor tunity of seeing the advantage gained by returning teachers to former positions, and the results show out much more plainly than in the white schools of the States. Every possible means should be used to retain teachers from year to year on account of the extra amount of work they are able to accomplish.

In all reading in the grades special effort was placed on the use of phonics, or the Bound method, with very satisfactory results. The pupils have become very efficient in their ability to prepare reading lessons unassisted and also in reading them. Story telling was productive of good results both in memory training and in the use of Eng lish. The pupils enjoyed this work very much, for most of them have enough of an English vocabulary to understand the stories and data given them.

Much time in arithmetic in the grades was given to oral and mental practice and drill in the four fundamentals. I believe the grades here will fall very little below the respective grades in the States in this work.

More and better work was done in domestic science during the past year than during any previous year. This was not only conducive of good results among the

children but also awakened much interest and enthusiasm among the parents. Much practical work was done in the making of clothing and quilts as well as in crochetting

and knitting.

We have enjoyed the most satisfactory year in the Klawock Commercial Co. since my coming to Klawock. Our greatest difficulty lies in the amount of credit we are almost compelled to give. However, we have been steadily gaining, and while at times the credit system caused some little embarassment on our part in our dealings with the wholesale houses we are now on a fairly firm foundation and feel quite sure of our position. Last winter when our books were audited we gave a 12 per cent dividend and placed 2 per cent in the business. This established much more confidence in the village and we are yet increasing our stock. We hope in the near future to establish a sawmill and cannery in connection with the store. There was much talk of a small hand cannery last winter, but the sharp advance in tin caused us to hold up these plans until better inducements can be obtained in tin and machinery. A small sawmill is much needed here, as with the growth of the village much sidewalk material is needed as well as building material. The bureau should extend every effort in helping us to secure this mill, as it would be a great encouragement to the people of Shakan and Karheen who are moving here for school privileges. With a little encouragement from the bureau I feel it is but a short time until we can have all the Thlingets of the west coast of Prince of Wales located at Klawock as the Hydahs are now located at Hydaburg.

The people of Klawock have been exceptionally healthy during the past year, having had no deaths in the village. But a resident of the village died at a fish camp. Several, however, are in the last stages of tuberculosis and can last but a short time. The medical work during the past year was considerably lighter than the previous year and the assistance rendered by the teacher of sanitation was also very valuable. If it is impossible to establish hospitals at these villages I would suggest a building be arranged with two or three beds with a nurse placed in charge. In the serious cases medical aid can be secured from Craig, 6 miles distant. It is impossible to treat many of the more simple cases satisfactorily in the homes on account of the unsanitary conditions and the unreliability of the natives in giving medicines. We have had very little trouble in the village during the past year. The town council has enacted some very creditable laws and very successfully enforced many of them. The council elected last fall seems to realize more than the previous and irst council the duties resting on them and the powers intrusted to them and have performed their duties in a very creditable manner. Most of the people from the village of Shakan moved here last winter, and the people from Karheen expect to move here this fall. This will materially increase our population and unite almost all the Thlingets on the island. We hope to finish our school building this summer get our village surveyed. The new part of the village will be occupied by the new citizens and a few of our better families that wish to get better homes in a less frowded section than that in which they are now living. These things are all encourging, and while we feel much has been accomplished during the past year we hope Fith better conditions and facilities to accomplish much more during the next year. The parents as well as pupils take much interest and pleasure in school entertainments and two very successful ones were given during the winter. We have already aised $45 toward a printing press for the school.

and

At one of our entertainments I had an exhibition of military drill which was so well received that I decided to continue the drill among the boys in school. I feel the time was well spent in the lessons of discipline taught as well as the physical exercise obtained.

Toward spring I suggested to some of the pupils as well as parents that we organize school band. This was enthusiastically received and the village furnished us with instruments. Sixteen boys took part, ranging from 8 to 13 years, and after two months'

practice were able to make a very creditable showing. While I do not feel this is a necessity in the school work here, it worked up great interest in the school among the parents and assisted so much in punctual attendance, both among the members of the band and those that enjoyed coming early to hear the practice, that I believe i was well worth the effort and should be continued. We practiced each morning a eight and it was not unusual to have boys at the schoolhouse before seven awaiting time for practice.

After the holidays a musical and literary society was organized, holding meetings once each week. Any one in the village able to speak the English language was eligible to membership, and only English was to be spoken in the society hall. Some of the older people could not understand the mission of this society at first and refused to attend or allow their children to attend. Some were faithful, however, and our membership and attendance kept growing until we found the school auditorium too small for the gatherings. They took especial delight in debating; even school girls just in their teens taking part. The judgment used in selecting subjects and the ability with which they were handled were very gratifying.

I believe the time and effort put forth for the Metlakatla-Hydaburg-Klawock school fair was well spent. While the people of Klawock are very jubilant over the results of the fair, I am convinced that the time has not yet come for competition among the natives, when it is those from different tribes that are contesting. I have worked with two tribes and find the idea prevalent that each is the chosen tribe. They yet delight in relating the prowess of their forefathers in overcoming the cunning of the other tribes and cannot take defeat graciously. This competition, regardless of the fairness of the judges, only tends to intensify this feeling of rivalry we are trying to stamp out, and what we gain from an educational standpoint we lose in keeping open this old hatred that must be allayed to establish a union of the natives for common good. I would recommend that these fairs be held annually, each school putting its best or what it has at hand on exhibition; a regular program of educational value for patrons and teachers should be given each day, and one night be given each school for an entertainment for the benefit of those in attendance.

EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF ALASKA, 1917.

The natives of Alaska.-The economic conditions among the native population of Alaska have changed considerably during the past year. Those depending on furs for their main livelihood have not only faced a scarcity of pelts, but have found that prices were below normal on account of the war. On the other hand, the cost of food and other supplies which have to be shipped in from the States has increased 50 to 300 per cent. Added to this, in a good many sections, there has also been a scarcity of fish during the year, which has reduced their winter supply of this food article. To combat the above conditions, the United States Bureau of Education, through the agency of its teachers in Alaska, issued instructions urging the natives to live as much as possible independently of food supplies and manufactured articles which have to be brought from the outside, and to conserve the native products not only for their own salvation but for the assistance they thereby render the country in the war in which it is engaged. To this end the native, as a farmer, is gradually becoming a factor in the development of the Territory. Through its schools in Alaska, the Bureau of Education is attempting to teach the natives the advantages of having their own gardens in which to raise foodstuffs, not only for their own use, but for the use of miners and others in their vicinity. The products of the Kuskokwim, Kotzebue Sound, and upper Yukon regions are very creditable and show great promise. It has been difficult in the past to impress upon the natives the advisability of remaining with their gardens until the crops are assured. They have to combat their

natural tendency to leave their homes in order to go fishing. While it is necessary for them to obtain fish as well as vegetables, the two can be combined if handled intelligently.

Under the present laws it is possible for natives to acquire allotments of land in Alaska. To date their usefulness has been rather doubtful. The allotments as now made are really too small for hunting purposes and too large for farms. The native has not yet reached the stage where he can handle intelligently a 160-acre farm, even if he were in a position to clear it and put it under cultivation. Up to the present it has only been possible for him to handle a good-sized garden. After he has learned the lesson well and the advantage of the latter, he will then be in a position to undertake the cultivation of a 5-acre farm.

The native is also learning to avail himself of banking facilities. Through the Bureau of Education in Seattle it has been possible for him, for several years, to send his furs and other products to be sold in Seattle, thereby assuring him the highest return for his peltry. The money which he has then to his credit is either used in shipping him such supplies as he must have, or, if it is not needed for this purpose, is usually kept by the bureau for him and placed at interest. The chief of the Alaska division is under bond for taking care of these matters for the natives, and in the past year approximately $20,000 was handled in this manner for them. All such accounts handled by the chief of the Alaska division are audited quarterly. Those of the natives who desire and are able to handle their own accounts have been given their individual savings and checking accounts.

The natives continue to avail themselves of the Alaska legislative provision of 1915 for citizenship. Also several villages have been organized in accordance with the act passed by the same legislature. Up to the present most of these have been in southeastern Alaska, where the natives appear to be the most progressive. When a village is properly organized, a council manages its affairs in a very creditable manner, and improved conditions are always the result of such management.

The bureau has collected miscellaneous statistics in regard to the native population, and while complete returns have not been received from all sections of the Territory, sufficient statistics have been received to make possible a survey of the natives and their conditions. Reports were received from 88 villages in Alaska, having a total population of 9,234. Of this number it appears that 5,028 are adults, 2,655 children of school age, and 1,551 children under school age. Of the 5,028 adults, 1,311 can read and write, and of the 2,655 children of school age, 1,599 can read and write. Of the population there are 53 engineers, 82 pilots, 36 captains, 13 teachers, 28 preachers, 119 carpenters, 306 reindeer men, and 59 miners, the remainder being classified as fishermen and trappers.

Their progress toward adopting civilized habitations may be noted in the fact that of the 2,522 domiciles in which this population lives, 1,509 are frame or log buildings, of which 341 are three-room, 317 two-room, and 851 one-room capacity. Of the entire 2.522 dwellings, but 597 could be classified as shacks or igloos. In addition to these dwellings, 88 villages had a total of 54 community buildings, such as town halls, cooperative store buildings, etc.

Another interesting phase of the statistics bearing on the progress made by the natives is that relating to means of navigation. A native boat to the average person means a crudely fashioned craft of skins and sinews. While the latter are still in evidence, especially along the Arctic shores, the bureau's statistics show that, in addition to the 431 skin boats and 163 birch-bark canoes, there are 1,325 wooden boats, of which 163 are sailboats of an average tonnage of 4.8 and 208 power boats of 4.9 average tonage, equipped with 8.4 average horsepower engines. When the fact is taken into Consideration that these statistics cover less than 40 per cent of the native population 39799-185

of Alaska, it is remarkable to note how they have availed themselves of modern conveniences and adapted them to their needs. In southeastern Alaska the native fishermen equipped with power boats are no small asset to the salmon industry of the Territory. Most of such boats have been built by the native owners. They not only possess such ability to a marked degree, but the care and handling of gas engines appear natural to them. Their acquisition of civilization's conveniences may be emphasized by the fact that these 9,000 natives own 1,843 sewing machines and such home furnishings as 132 organs, 2,078 clocks, 1,563 phonographs, and 1,837 bedsteads. The fact that the Alaska natives are not a dependent people can not be overemphasized in order to give them the credit they deserve for successfully fighting for an existence in the face of rapidly changing conditions, caused by coming in contact with the white man. Although the native has had to rearrange his mode of living and to a certain extent, his method of securing his livelihood, he has rarely been forced to ask for aid. The Bureau of Education has, during the past year, expended but $2,000 for the relief of destitution. That is 8 cents per capita, based on a native population of 25,000. In most cases the relief was given only on account of temporary destitution, and return of wood and labor was received in payment of the supplies given. The net amount expended for destitution, therefore, is almost negligible. With a little foresight on the part of the Federal Government, the natives' future and permanent independence can be assured.

In such sections of Alaska where reindeer have been distributed the natives' economic independence is already established. However, such sections are restricted to the coastal regions, western, and northwestern Alaska. The value of the reindeer industry to the natives of Alaska can not be overestimated, and the introduction of this industry into Alaska will ever remain a noteworthy example of one of the Government's constructive policies. The Bureau of Education, to whose credit the successful management of the industry belongs, having thus established its ability to deal with the problems of the natives, should be given by Congress the additional means it needs and has asked for so many years with which to establish the natives of the entire Territory on a permanent economic basis.

The present appropriation for the education of the natives of Alaska, $200,000, is the same as it was in 1908. It is obviously impossible for the bureau to enlarge its work, provide for vocational training, establish boarding schools, etc., when every dollar is needed to maintain the school service already established. When the vast territory that has to be covered is taken into consideration and the fact that the native communities rarely exceed two or three hundred in number, together with the cost of reaching most of the isolated native villages and the ever-increasing cost of supplies and material necessary to a school system, it is surprising that the bureau is able to maintain its 70 schools on such a small appropriation and secure the results which have been obtained. Congress must be made to realize the importance of providing adequately for the natives of Alaska. They already bear their share of the taxes. Quite a number are availing themselves of citizenship, as well as organizing their villages. Given means to properly guide the natives in their acquisition of civilization, the Bureau of Education should have no difficulty in transforming the natives into selfreliant and useful citizens. They are unquestionably an asset to Alaska, and their development is of paramount importance to the best interests of the Territory. In addition to the increased educational appropriation, the Bureau of Education should have at its disposal a reimbursable fund with which to establish industries among the natives. Since the majority of the natives live in their own communities, the establishment of such industries would not mean competition with white enterprise, but rather the development of native resources within these communities. The success of the cooperative stores already established in nine villages without the aid of Government funds demonstrates what can be done along this line under proper supervision. Two of these native store companies not only do a general mercantile business but