INVESTIGATION OF THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 645 



The Chairman. Yes. 



Mr. Lembkey. That would give, on an average, perhaps 5.000 a 

 year. Yes; I should say that was probably correct, in general terms. 



The Chairman. Now, Mr. Clark stated that in 1909, when he was 

 on the islands and made his report subsequent thereto, that you and 

 the other Government agent or agents were overruled by the repre- 

 sentatives of the company. 



Mr. Lembkey. Overruled ? 



Mr. McGuire. Do you mean that was Mr. Clark's testimony? 



The Chairman. Yes; something to that effect. 



Mr. McGuire. I did not so understand it. 



Mr. Lembkey. I do not think he made such a statement. 



The Chairman. I may be mistaken, but I think he said there were 

 five there and only two of you. I asked him how it happened that 

 he stated they were in supreme control and he made that statement 

 in that way. . 



Mr. Lembkey. He explained it by stating that they were in the 

 majority of five to two. 



The Chairman. I asked him why he made the statement in his 

 report that the company's agents were in supreme control. 



Mr. Lembkey. Yes; I remember him making that statement, but 

 he did not make any statement to the effect that I or any other Gov- 

 ernment officer was overruled by any company officer in respect to 

 any matter of authority up there. He could not have made such a 

 statement. 



The Chairman. But do you not think he meant to create that 

 impression among the members of the committee ? 



Mr. Lembkey. I have not any idea what his meaning was but I 

 am certain that no such condition of affairs could have prevailed at 

 that time or at any other time during my presence there. 



The Chairman. He told the committee that it was a case of five 

 to two ; that you men did your duty but that you were overruled by 

 the superior numbers. 



Mr. Lembkey. I do not remember his making the statement that 

 Wt 1 were overruled. 



The Chairman. If I am mistaken about that it will be corrected, 

 but I am asking you what your recollection is of that ? 



Mr. Lembkey. I do not remember his having made the statement 

 that the Government officers were overruled up there. 



The Chairman. You were there when he made this examination ? 



Mr. Lembkey. I was; I was in charge. 



The Chairman. Did you know he was going to make such a report ? 



Mr. Lembkey. No. indeed. 



The Chairman. Did you know that he was going to report that no 

 seal was too small to be killed ? 



Mr. Lembkey. No, sir; I had no idea what his report would be. 



The Chairman. And that he would state it was whirlwind sealing? 



Mr. Lembkey. I did not know what he intended to place in his 

 report. 



The Chairman. Were you asked afterward to correct this report? 



Mr. Lembkey. No, sir. 



The Chairman. Did not Mr. Bowers write you a line and state that 

 no doubt you had examined the Clark report now and were familiar 

 with it ? 



