INVESTIGATION" OF THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 561 



Mr. Clark. There came to me under the frank of Senator Burn- 

 ham, a report of the debate on the elimination of the agents' salaries 

 from the appropriation bill, and on that document were certain re- 

 marks about Mr. Lembkey, and about Secretary Nagel. I remember 

 that the statement was that Secretary Nagel stood up for his men, 

 but they were let out just as he was let out at the November election. 



Mr. McGuire. In whose handwriting was that? 



Mr. Clark. That was in the handwriting of Henry W. Elliott. 

 It closed with a Latin phrase, ''Sic transit gloria Nagelius." 



But the superscription of this letter was in a disguised, print hand- 

 writing, and was addressed to the "Academic Secretary, Stanford 

 University, Palo Alto, California." I wrote to Senator Burnham, 

 stating that I fell the receipt of a document like that under his frank 

 was something - that ought to be explained. I received a telegram 

 from hirn to the effect that the use of his frank for that purpose was 

 wholly unwarranted — by Mr. Henry W. Elliott or anybody else. 



I believed that here was a case where Mr. Henry W. Elliott could 

 be made responsible, because we had the repudiation of the act by 

 the person whose frank was used. 



The Chairman. Well, that is neither here nor there, because that 

 is not in issue before this committee. But let me ask you — because 

 you have stated that you saw the telegram which Dr. Jordan sent 

 to the Members of the House of representatives while this bill was 

 up on the floor for discussion, to have a closed season for seals — do 

 you know that Mr. Elliott was at the head of the pelagic sealers' 

 lobby? 



Mr. Clark. I do not know anything about that. 



The Chairman. Did vou ever talk to Dr. Jordan about it ? 



%j 



Mr. Clark. I do not recall whether we talked about it or not; but 

 that, of course, was Dr. Jordan's telegram. 



The Chairman. Well, do you think that was eminently proper 

 for the great scientist and the head of this great university to send a 

 telegram to Congress to influence legislation if he could not give the 

 source of his information ? 



Mr. Clark. It was very difficult for us to understand 



The Chairman (interposing). One moment, now. You have 

 praised Dr. Jordan. Do you think that was the right thing to do ? 



Mr. Clark. I think under the circumstances it was all right. 



The Chairman. If it was not true ? 



Mr. Clark. It has not been denied. 



The Chairman. Well, he could not give me the information even 

 when I telegraphed to him. 



Mr. Clark. That, of course, would be a long history, because Dr. 

 Jordan and I have been 



The Chairman (interposing). No; it is not a question of history. 

 I was very much disappointed in Dr. Jordan when I saw it; and I 

 immediately telegraphed him and told him that his telegram was 

 circulated in the House of Representatives, and that he ought to give 

 me the source of his information, because I wanted to know; but his 

 answer came back that he could not do it. 



Mr. Clark. That it was inference. 



The Chairman. Yes; he made some statements and said that it 

 could be inferred. 



53490—14 36 



