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testimony of an expert who knows more of these matters than I do 

 individually; I rely more upon "an expert than upon myself. 

 Q. Who were the experts ? 

 A. In what instance ? 



Q. In the instances of your sending experts to value the lands and 

 purchase them. 



A. What lands; I have suggested that the appropriation to pur- 

 chase land — it is the projper step ,in the right direction — and I 

 explained before that up to November seventh we had not received 

 propositions for over 500 acres, for the sale of over 500 acres 

 that would properly come within the park; we then sent our agent, 

 Warden Gannon, asking them (Peck and Marsh), to submit — we 

 knew they were land owners there — propositions to this commission 

 for the purchase of land within the scope of the resolution; those 

 propositions were submitted to us November twentieth; we cer- 

 tainly have not had the time nor the force at our disposal to make the 

 proper examination of those lands; if the gentleman (Connelly), has 

 been in the woods, or anywhere near them, he knows it is a very 

 hard matter to examine timber lands. 



Q. If I had been in the woods as long as you have been I would 

 know something about it, I. think. 



A. I have been in the woods a good many years, and I am free tp 

 confess that the mere I am in the woods the less 'I know about them 

 particularly;- 1 think there was a time, when I was younger, that I 

 knew more aboilt the woods than I do now, in my self-estimation; in 

 regard to this matter, I have pursued exactly the policy that I deem 

 any business man would pursue; these lands are not going to be 

 taken away. 



Q. I think you mentioned something about 500 acres in the 

 boundary; why didn't you purchase those 500 acres? 



A. For the same reason I have told you, that a large portion of 

 that didn't come until October, and we have not had the time to 

 make the proper examination of them. 



Q. I am sorry to say it, but I ask these questions with all due 

 respect, for your own benefit, and the committee will take more 

 pleasure in hearing questions answered creditably than otherwise, 

 but I must say you have not answered satifactorily. 

 A. I have given the very best answ ers I can. 

 Mr. Hitt. — I move we adjourn. 



The Witness. — I have been here two days, and, if possible, I would 

 like to have you ask me what questions you can now or postpone it 

 until another week to allow me to go home and look after my business, 



