INVESTIGATION OF THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 287 



The Chairman. The Liebes were interested in all the vessels — were they not? 



Mr. Peiece. I have no knowledge of that, except by hearsay. After the proceedings 

 at The Hague, Geo. R. Tingle told me that they were, as I remember it, that they prac- 

 tically owned most of the pelagic sealing vessels. That is the impression I got from 

 him in some way. I cannot be sure, however. 



The Chairman. In other words, they practically controlled the pelagic sealing and 

 they were members of the North American Commercial Co.? 



Mr. Peirce. I did not know any of that of my own knowledge. I simply heard it 

 after the argument at The Hague from Tingle. I have this morning seen a letter 

 which I wrote to my counsel, and in which I said that Tingle had informed me that the 

 sale of the James Hamilton Lewis to Waizman was a mere cloak and that it was not bona 

 fide sale. Whether that is true or not, I can not say. 



The Chairman. You certainly thought it was true or you would not have written 

 it? (P. 784, Hearing No. 12, June 4, 1912.) 



Mr. Peirce. I certainly thought it was true at the time, and I think it probably was. 

 I simply quoted Mr. Tingle as having suggested that; I did not vouch for it. (P. 785, 

 Hearing No. 12, June 4,' 1912.) 



The Chairman. I understand that there is an affidavit on file, a copy of which is 

 before me, an affidavit which it was necessary for you to use in order to substantiate 

 the claim of the United States before The Hague tribunal. I will read the affidavit 

 and will let you make such statement in connection thereto as you may desire. 

 (P. 785.) 



Mr. Peirce. No; I have never seen that affidavit, so far as I can remember, or 

 heard of it. I am very sure that it was not used in that proceeding. I speak, of 

 course, from memory. There were a great many documents filed in the arbitration, 

 but I have no recollection of that and I do not think it was filed. You will be pleased 

 to observe, sir, that that is Isaac Liebes. The oivners icere Herman Liebes <fc Co. 



The Chairman. But it was transferred by a bill of sale and Isaac Liebes is the man 

 who turned up to get all the money so that there would not be any left for you. 



Mr. Peirce. I brought an injunction against Patton and Embry. Now that you 

 speak of it, I believe Liebes did turn up in connection with the James Hamilton Lewis, 

 but I brought no injunction against him, I think. I think we settled it by agreement 

 because Tingle had filed an agreement ivith Liebes to pay him 25 per cent of the award and, 

 as I remember, the department paid him that 25 per cent, he paying me the 10 per cent. 



The Chairman. He even had a power of attorney from Max Waizman? 



Mr. Peirce. Yes, sir; and I presume Patton in that connection said to me some- 

 thing about the sale of the James Hamilton Lewis to Max Waizman. (P. 786.) 



ISAAC LIEBES IDENTIFIES TINGLE AS THE EMPLOYEE OF THE LESSEES 

 FROM MARCH 12, 1890, TILL HIS DEATH IN 1906. 



The Chairman. Who was George R. Tingle? 



Mr. Liebes. He was employed by the North American Commercial Co. 



The Chairman. Is he living or dead? 



Mr. Liebes. I believe he is dead. 1 



The Chairman. When did he enter the employ of the North American Commer- 

 cial Co.? 



Mr. Liebes. Shortly after the lease. 2 



The Chairman. And he became what? What did he do for the company? - 



Mr. Liebes. I believe he was the company's representative on the seal islands. 



The Chairman. Was he the general superintendent, or what was his title? 



Mr. Liebes. I really do not remember what his title was. 



The Chairman. Did he continue during the whole period of the lease, or not? 



Mr. Liebes. No, sir; he died some time afterwards. 



The Chairman. How long afterwards? 



Mr. Liebes. I really could not tell you. 



The Chairman. Was he living in 1902, or not? 



Mr. Liebes. I can not tell you. (Pi 846, Hearing No. 13, June 20, 1912.) 



The Chairman. Mr. Liebes, it appeared that he filed some papers as attorney in 

 the J. Hamilton Lewis matter. 



Mr. Liebes. Well, if you will let me see those papers, I will refresh my memory. 



The Chairman. Do you not remember that George R. Tingle did file some papers 

 in the James Hamilton Lewis case and signed them as attorney for the claimants? 



Mr. Liebes. I saw it in he record as I read it. 



The Chairman. Yes, sir; that is in the record. 



Mr. Liebes. I have read it in the record. 



1 Tingle died in 1906. 2 Lease given him Mar. 12, 1890. 



