280 INVESTIGATION OF THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 



That these measurements are reliable when made "in the salt," 

 Mr. Lembkey testifies at length to the House Committee on Expen- 

 ditures in the Department of Commerce and Labor; Hearing No. 10; 

 pages 399-340, as follows: 



Mr. Lembkey. I have attempted to state that in measuring a green skin it is im- 

 possible to find out its exact length when you lay it on the ground, because it may 

 curl up, or roll, or stretch, and it can only be measured after it has become hardened 

 by salt. 



Mr. McGillicuddy. Then it will not stretch? 



Mr. Lembkey. Certainly not. 



Mr. McGillicuddy. That is the proper time to measure it, after it has become rigid 

 and stiff? 



Mr. Lembkey. Certainly. 



Mr. McGillicuddy. You can not then stretch or shrink it? 



Mr. Lembkey. No, sir. 



Mr. McGillicuddy. With an honest measurement of that kind of skin, would it not 

 determine the age? 



Mr. Lembkey. I fancy, yes. 



Mr. McGillicuddy. Is there any doubt about it? 



Mr. Lembkey. I do not think so. I say, fancy, because I never attempted to judge 

 of age by the measurements. 



Mr. McGillicuddy. In that way, if anybody wanted to, they could not deceive, 

 because you say they could not stretch it? 



Mr. Lembkey. You could not stretch it after it had been salted four or five days, 

 because the skin then is not very pliable. 



Mr. McGillicuddy. Then it is your idea that measurement is reliable after a certain 

 number of days? 



Mr. Lembkey. Yes, after it has been in salt, but when the skin is green it would 

 not be a reliable test. 



Those measurements of Mr. Lembkey's yearling skins (31-36^-inch 

 skins), as taken and weighed by himself, July 7, 1913, were made in 

 the salt-house kench of St. Paul Island, in the presence of Messrs. 

 Hatton, Clark, Whitney, and Lembkey, of the Bureau of Fisheries, 

 and Messrs. Elliott and Gallagher for the House Committee on Expen- 

 ditures in the Department of Commerce; they were all agreed upon 

 as correct when taken and recorded, July 29. 1913, by the gentlemen 

 above named. 



AN EXHIBIT OF THE COMMUNITY OF INTEREST BETWEEN THE LES- 

 SEES OF THE SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA AND CERTAIN OFFICIALS 

 OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND BUREAU OF FISHERIES, 1890-1905, 

 IN PROMOTING A FRAUDULENT CLAIM AT THE HAGUE, JUNE, 1902. 



THE COMMUNITY OF INTEREST EXISTING BETWEEN" THE SEAL LESSEE, LIEBES, AND THIRD 

 ASSISTANT SECRETARY. II. H. D. PEIRCE. LNITED STATES STATE DEPARTMENT, IN 

 THE BUSINESS OF PIRATICAL PELAGIC SEALING. AS COVERED BY THEIR ASSOCIATION 

 WITH ALEXANDER M'LEAN. AND HIS EMPLOYMENT BY LIEBES. CULMINATING IN 1905. 



The sworn record of that association of McLean with Liebes begins 

 in 1890, as follows. He was, during seasons of — 



1890. In command of the J. Hamilton Leu is; H. Liebes. owner; raids Copper Island 

 and gets off, August 1. with two men badly hurt. 



1891. In. command of the ./. S imilton Lzed August 2. while raiding Copper 

 bland with the crew of the E. E. Webster, owned by H. Liebes and commanded by his 

 brother; vessel confiscated and he is imprisoned at Vladivostok a few weeks. 



L892. In command of the R i ling s< hooner of San Francisco; no raids 



tliis vear. 



L893. In command of the steam sealer Alexander, flying the Hawaiian flag; he is 

 cauehtby the U. S. S. Mohican raiding Northeast Point, St. Paul Island, in July, but 

 escapes in the fog because the war vessel's engines were disabled. 



