INVESTIGATION OF THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 451 



The Chairman. How soon did you discover this after you got up 

 to the islands ? 



Mr. Clark. We discovered it in 1896 and 1897. 



The Chairman. No; I mean in 1909. 



Mr. Clark. The^e was nothing peculiar about the situation in 1909. 



The Chairman. You discovered there were five men there repre- 

 senting the company to two representing the Government. 



Mr. Clark. We knew that thoroughly in 1896 and 1897. 



The Chairman. Did you not know it in 1909 ? 



Mr. Clark. Certainly. 



The Chairman. Why did you not report it to the department after 

 you found it out ? 



Mr. Clark. I thought that went without saying. I did not think 

 that was a matter of any importance. 



The Chairman. You now claim that that was the difficulty and 

 you must base it upon your observations made when you were on 

 the islands, do you not? 



Mr. Clark. Well, it does not make any difference 



The Chairman (interposing). No; but do you not base it upon 

 what you saw on the islands when you were there? 



Mr /Clark. Not any more in 190*9 than in 1896 and 1897. 



The Chairman. I do not care about 1896 and 1897. Tell me 

 about 1909. 



Mr. Clark. It was not from any violation of law or any overawing 

 of the agents in 1909 at all. 



The Chairman. Then why do you say it was five to two up there ? 



Mr. Clark. Well, because that was the fact. 



The Chairman. Why did you not report it to the Secretary of 

 Commerce and Labor? The wireless stations were opened to you, 

 were they not? 



Mr. Clark. I had no occasion to interfere with the killing of 1909. 

 It was done with perfect satisfaction to me. 



The Chairman. What were you sent up there for — to find out 

 what was going on, were you not? The scope of your authority 

 included that, did it not ? 



Mr. Clark. If there was nothing wrong going on, why should I 

 report anything ? 



The Chairman. But you say the trouble arose because there 

 were o men up there for the company and they had supreme authority 

 over the killing. 



Mr. Clark. That is a fact, is it not ? 



The Chairman. Do not ask me questions; just answer mine, and 

 then we will get along better. Where did this supreme authority 

 come from that you spoke of ? 



Mr. Clark. It came from the fact they had superior numbers. 



The Chairman. Did the agents quietly submit ? 



Mr. Clark. Of course, I have tried to make clear that there was 

 no violation of law. 



The Chairman. Did they submit? I am asking you that. Do 

 not sidestep it. 



Mr. Clark. They did not submit. 



The Chairman. What did they do — get out their clubs or what do 

 you mean by superior numbers ? 



