It 



262 INVESTIGATION OP THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 



Commercial Co.," or the lessees' work on the islands in 1894. We 

 have shown how Murray was rewarded by being made chief special 

 agent in 1887; and when he died in 1888 how John Morton, another 

 subservient man, was put in charge as "United States chief special 

 agent" by the lessees. It now becomes necessary to show how 

 Liebes had W. J. Lembkey appointed as Morton's successor Septem- 

 ber 30, 1900, which was soon after Morton's death on the island of 

 St Paul, July 15, 1900. 



This record of Liebes's and Elkins's (lessees) influence is important 

 at this juncture, because Lembkey has been the active official instru- 

 ment which those men have used to secure illegally more than 100,000 

 small pup," or yearling seals, since 1899 up to May 1, 1910. 



When Mr. Lembkey was put under oath, April 13, 1912, he swore 

 that he did not know who recommended his appointment as John 

 Morton's successor. He testified to the committee as follows : 



Mr. Elliott. Mr. Lembkey, you were appointed when? 



Mr. Lembkey. Appointed to what position, sir? 



Mr. Elliott. To your office of assistant agent in the seal islands of Alaska. 



Mr. Lembkey. In 1899. 



Mr. Elliott. From what place where you appointed? 



Mr. Lembkey. From what place? 



Mr. Elliqtt. Yes, from what position? 



Mr. Lembkey. I was appointed 



Mr. Elliott. What position were you holding? 



Mr. Lembkey. I was holding a clerkship in the Treasury Department at the time 

 of my appointment. 



Mr. Elliott. That appointment was dated when? 



Mr. Lembkey. I do not know; I do not remember. 



Mr. Elliott. About what time did you go to the islands in 1899? 



Mr. Lembkey. I got there some time in May or June — I forget which; I think May. 



Mr. Elliott. "Who was the chief special agent in charge of the islands? 



Mr. Lembkey. John M. Morton. 



Mr. Elliott. When were you appointed as chief special agent in charge of the seal 

 islands? 



Mr. Lembkey. Some time in 1900. I think in October. 



Mr. Elliott. You were appointed to take the position of whom? 



Mr. Lembkey. John M. Morton. 



Mr. Elliott. Who asked for your appointment? 



Mr. Lembkey. I do not know. 



Mr. Elliott. Is it true that Mr. Isaac Liebes asked Dr. Jordan to telegraph Secre- 

 tary Gage that you be appointed to Mr. Morton's place? 



Mr. Lembkey. I did not know Mr. Isaac Liebes at that time, and, of course, I do 

 not suppose he did. However, as I have stated, I do not know who made the recom- 

 mendation. I am under the impression the recommendation was made by the super- 

 vising special agent. 



Mr. Elliott". It was not made by Dr. Jordan? 



Mr. Lembkey. I do not know anything about it. Dr. Jordan himself has denied 

 that he ever made any recommendation in the case. So far as I know I can not answer 

 the question. I was on the seal islands at the time of my appointment. 



Mr. Elliott. You were on the seal islands at the time of your appointment? 



Mr. Lembkey. At the time of my appointment as agent in charge. 



Mr. Elliott. Mr. Morton died when? 



Mr. Lembkey. He died during my absence from the islands. I think it was in 

 July, 1900, or June; I am not certain which — either June or July of 1900. 



Mr. Elliott. You do not know who asked for your appointment? 



Mr. Lembkey. I have not any knowledge whatever on that subject. (Hearing No. 

 9. p. 425, Apr. 13; 1912, II. Com. Exp. Dept., C. &. L.). 



Lembkey swears that he does not know who asked for his appoint- 

 ment, as above-cited testimony attests. The following statement of 

 fact shows that Isaac Liebes, for the lessees, asked Dr. Jordan to urge 

 Lembkey as Morton's successor, and that Jordan did Liebes's bidding, 



