430 INVESTIGATION OP THE PUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 



Mr. Clark. Yes. 



The Chairman. Were you sworn then as a special assistant of the 

 Department of Commerce and Labor ? 



Mr. Clark. Well, I do not quite understand that. I was simply 

 appointed, issued a formal appointment with instructions, and 

 ordered to go north; that is all. I did not appear in Washington 

 to swear to anything, or anything of that kind . 



The Chairman. Then you were not sworn at all ? 



Mr. Clark. Well, not that I remember of. I was sworn in 1896 and 

 1897, but I do not recall an event of that kind in 1909. 



The Chairman. Are you quite sure about it? There may be a 

 record of it. I think you ought to tax you memory sufficiently to be 

 sure about it. 



Mr. Clark. I would have to say that I have no recollection what- 

 ever of it. I was simply appointed as a special assistant in order to 

 go up there for this purpose. 



The Chairman. Where were you when you were appointed? 



Mr. Clark. At Stanford University. 



The Chairman. How did you happen to be appointed while you 

 were there? 



Mr. Clark. Well, having been secretary of the commission in 1896 

 and 1897, when the advisory board of the fur seal service was arranged 

 for, Dr. Jordan then president of Stanford, being the chairman of 

 the advisory board, suggested or recommended that the work of 1896 

 and 1897 be reviewed and the condition of the herd in 1909 compared 

 carefully with its condition in 1896 and 1897, to form a basis for 

 any action which the advisory board might take, and as I was con- 

 nected intimately with all the work in 1896 and 1897 done by that 

 commission, he recommended that I be sent up there. 



The Chairman. Then it was on Jordan's recommendation that you 

 were sent up there ? 



Mr. Clark. I believe that all the members of the advisory board 

 were communicated with regarding the matter. 



The Chairman. Yes; but I think you have just said you were recom- 

 mended by Dr. Jordan. 



Mr. Clark. Yes; he considered it would be best I should do that 

 work. 



The Chairman. How and by whom were you notified that you 

 were appointed special assistant? 



Mr. Clark. By the Commissioner of Fisheries. 



The Chairman. Who was the Commissioner of Fisheries ? 



Mr. Clark. Hon. George M. Bowers. 



The Chairman. Did you receive a letter from him or a telegram? 



Mr. Clark. I received a telegram and a letter also. The letter, 

 of course, contained the instructions. 



Mr. Rothermel. Have you the letter with you ? 



Mr. Clark. I do not believe I have; no. I think, though, it is 

 already published in appendix A of the hearings. 



The Chairman. I think it is made a matter of public record in the 

 bureau, is it not ? 



Mr. Clark. Yes. 



The Chairman. I mean, whatever communications you had? 



Mr. Clark. I should expect so. Of course, I know nothing about 

 that. 



