FUR-SEAL HERD OF ALASKA. 



243 



Lembkey asserts that the Lon- 

 don classification of the sealskins 

 is an accurate one — he does not 

 tell how it is based. 



Mr. Lembkey. These skins which were 

 sent to London during the years 1909 and 

 1910 were weighed by the factors after 

 their arrival in London and the weights 

 found to correspond with those taken on 

 the island. As this factor, Lampson & Co. , 

 is essentially a disinterested person, being 

 concerned not the least with the question 

 of weights or regulations. Init wholly with 

 the sale of the skins and the payments 

 therefor, their verification of these weights 

 may be taken as conclusive of their accu- 

 racy. 



So far, therefore, as concerns compli- 

 ance with the regulations and the law in 

 the killing of male seals, no malfeasance 

 can be proven, because not only the rec- 

 ords of the department but the weights of 

 the same skins in London, taken by an 

 independent and responsible body of 

 experts, prove that the limits of weight 

 laid down by the instructions of the de- 

 partment have Ijeen complied with as 

 closely as it is possible for human agency 

 to do so. The weights of skins taken on 

 the islands show this, and furthermore 

 these weights have been verified in Lon- 

 don by an independent and responsible 

 body of men. (Hearing No. 9, p. :^75. 

 Mar. 1, 1912.) 



Lembkey swears that Lamp- 

 son's London classification of the 

 sealskins taken on the seal islands 

 is an accurate one, and by 

 weight. 



Mr. Lembkey. Lampson & Co. is a 

 general broker, and I believe the only 

 one in London. 



Mr. Elliott. They take anything from 

 anybody in the United States. 



Mr. Lembkey. Undoubtedly. Now. 

 their reputation for veracity is unim- 

 peachable, and has been jealously 

 guarded by them since they first engaged 

 in business many years ago. The fur 

 trade has explicit confidence in their 

 statements. The weights of skins which 

 they have promulgated are as accurate 

 as their classification of the skins which 

 they publish to the trade. The fact 

 that the island weights and the Lampson 

 weights coincide is conclusive that the 

 island weights were correctly taken. 

 Surely the committee can conclude that 



Then, under cross-examination, 

 he admits that the London classi- 

 fication is on measurements, not 

 weights, and leased on the sizes of 

 the skins. 



Mr. Lembkey. Mr. Fraser, if I may in- 

 form the committee, makes a statement of 

 the weight, J)readth, and length of the 

 skins 



Mr. Elliott. Yes. 



Mr. Lembkey. But states nothing 

 whatever as to the number of skins in any 

 catch. 



Mr. Elliott. That is all covered in 

 other testiuKiny. 



Mr. Lembkey. Is it? 



The Ch.\irman. What is the question 

 to this witness? 



Mr. Elliott. I asked if he does not 

 know that the sizes are established by 

 measurements? 



The Chairman. Just answer that ques- 

 tion. Do you know it? 



Mr. Lembkey. I have been so informed. 



Mr. Elliott. Do you doubt it? 



Mr. Lembkey. Oii, no. 



Mr. Elliott. Nor do I. (Hearing No. 

 9. p. 441, Apr. 13, 1912.) 



Lembkey tells the committee 

 that they classify sealskins by 

 measurement of size, and not 

 weight, in Lampson's sales. 



Mr. Young. Let me before you pass 

 from that ask this: You weigh these 

 green skins on the islands, and then 

 measure them in the markets in London. 

 What is' your purpose in weighing, and 

 what is their purpose in measuring? 



Mr. Lembkey. Our purpo.se in weigh- 

 ing the skins (Hi die island is to get them 

 within the weights prescribed by the 

 regulations. Our regulations prescribe 

 maximum and minimum weights. Those 

 weights are 5 pounds 



Mr. Young. Does that relate to the 

 question of age? 



Mr. Lembkey. Five pounds and 8^ 

 pounds. 



Mr. Young.. Passing from the weight, 

 in London what is the determining pur- 

 pose in measuring? 



