450 INVESTIGATION" OF THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 



Now, in the last paragraph on page 867 I said: 



The present lease has expired. In the ordinary course of events a new one should 

 be negotiated in time for next season. 



The law was mandatory. We had to concede that a lease would 

 be required. I said: 



With pelagic sealing still in operation, and no immediate prospect of its suspension, 

 there being doubt also as to what quota, if any, may be obtainable for next year, it is 

 not clear how any company or individual can intelligently bid on a 20-year lease 

 or a lease covering any considerable period. A bid on such a lease would be purely a 

 speculation. 



The Chairman. Then you were in favor of re-leasing the islands? 



Mr. Clark. I was not. This is all intended to stop the re-leasing 

 of the islands. 



The Chairman. Did you not read there to the effect that it ought 

 to be done ? 



Mr. Clark. I say that "in the ordinary course of events a new 

 lease should be negotiated in time for next season." It was man- 

 datory upon the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to re-lease the 

 islands. 



The Chairman. The law uses the word "may" and not "shall." 



Mr. Clark. Mr. Nagel considered it so. 



The Chairman. But the word "may" was used and not the word 

 "shall." 



Mr. Clark. "What I want to make clear here is that I was arguing 

 against the lease on the basis of my knowledge as an expert and of the 

 needs of the herds. 



The Chairman. It seems to me that you suggest there that there 

 ought to be a re-lease. 



Mr. Clark. Well, perhaps the word "should" is unfortunate. If 

 there is any fault it lies in the use of the word "should." 



The Chairman. Xow if there was trouble by reason of a majority 

 or a superior number, why did you not report that to the Secretary ? 



Mr. Clark. I tried to state that in my report in these passages I 

 have read. 



The Chairman. Where do you state it in your report? 



Mr. Clark. In these pages I have just read. 



The Chairman. That the trouble was in the fact that there were 

 five men up there for the company and only two for the Government ? 



Mr. Clark. Well, perhaps that is not specifically stated. I called 

 attention to the dual authority on the islands. That is the point. 



The Chairman. But you think that the company had supreme 

 authority because thay had five men up there and the Government 

 only had two ? 



Mr. Clark. That is the way I would consider it if I were the Gov- 

 ernment agent. 



The Chairman. In what way would they get supreme control? 



Mr. Clark. The agents were forced to live, for example, board at 

 the table with the representatives of the leasing company. 



The Chairman. Do you think those five men overawed them? I 

 really can not understand that. 



Mr. Clark. Not al all; but if a situation arose in which it was nec- 

 essary for the company to overawe them there were five men there 

 to do it. 



