FUR-SEAL HEED OF ALASKA. 67 



inquiry, I shall be obliged to have you do it promptly, because Mr. Lembkey ia 

 expected to leave for Alaska in the near future, and after he has gone it will be diffi- 

 cult to make a change or even to communicate in time to take action. 

 Respectfully, 



Charles Nagel, Secretary. 



Dr. W. T. HORNADAY, 



Camp Fire Club of America, New York City. 

 P. S. — Since dictating the above, Mr. Bowers has shown me your letter to him of 

 the 19th instant. You make serious comments upon one or more of the fur-seal 

 experts or expert advisers. Of course, I do not know what you have in mind, but 

 inasmuch as these advisers occupy j^ositions of some responsibility, especially at this 

 time, it is of great importance to me to know the facts just as promptly as possible, 

 and you are therefore invited to put in my possession all such statements as you may 

 be willing to give that will enable me to make a proper inquiry. 



Charles Nagel, Secretary. 



To this letter asking for specific charges. Dr. Hornaday at once sent 

 the following direct, pointed specifications, to wit: 



Exhibit C. 



letter from the committee to secretary nagel. 



Bedford Park, 



New York City, May 18, 1910. 

 Hon. Charles Nagel, 



Secretary of Commerce and Labor. 



Dear Sir: Your letter of May 15 in reply to my inquiry regarding the accuracy 

 of the published interview quoting Commissioner Bowers as saying that fur seals are 

 to be killed by your department this year on the Pribilof Islands confirms my worst 

 fears. You do not contradict the published information that seal-killing operations 

 are to proceed this year under your authority and direction. You and the friends of 

 the fur seal are now literally at the parting of the ways, and only your calmest judg- 

 ment can save you from making a very grave mistake. 



If the English language has any meaning, your own letter clearly indicates that it is 

 your intention to go on killing seals. It means that you will not permit the harried 

 herds anything in the nature of a close season. You say that my advice on this point 

 "was not accepted." You assume that Congress agrees with you regarding the con- 

 tinued killing of seals, and you say that you "regard the question as closed." 



I think the inclosed printed report of the Camp Fire Club's committee on game 

 protective legislation will show you whether or not I represent the Camp Fire Club, 

 or at least all of it except the one member who is known to share your views. 



Your implied threat to me if I pursue this matter any further is of no effect anywhere. 

 You are welcome to "molest" me if you can. But it happens that I am not on trial in 

 this matter or in any other. I do not write you now to threaten you, but only to give 

 you, in the friendliest spirit in the world, a solemn warning not to commit an act that 

 will be a grave error. If you have read the newspapers during the past three months, 

 you must know that the acts of even a Cabinet officer are subject to review by the public 

 he is supposed to serve, and no threats of yours, either expressed, or implied, will fo/ 

 one moment deter me and the hundreds of strong and capable men I represent from 

 holding you accountable for vour future acts regarding the fur seal. We do not propose 

 that our work shall be nullified in the manner that you calmly propose. 



You say my "views were not accepted." This would be important if it were true. 



WTiy did President Taft send a special message to Congress to provide against the 

 making of a new killing lease? 



To stop the killing of the fur seals on the Pribilof Islands. 



Did the President, or did Senator Dixon's committee, or the United' States Senate, 

 intend for one moment that you should go right on in the bloody killing business 

 without a halt? 



No! A thousand times no, and you know it! 



Was it not partly for the purpose of clearing our hands of fur-seal blood and clearing 

 the road for treaties by the State Department that the new law was driven through 

 Congress? 



I respectfully suggest that the American people will be interested in knowing 

 through your investigations how many female seals and very young seals were killed 

 during the past eight years when on" outsiders were visiting the islands to observe 



