INVESTIGATION OF THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 713 



George A. Clark, duly sworn, testifies that he measured 205 "green" 

 skins taken from fur-seal carcasses July, 1912. 



Mr. Clark. The total length of the 205 green skins is 6,582.50 inches, which is an 

 average of 32.1 inches per skin in a green state. * * * Now, as to the measurement of 

 those salted skins which is the question in dispute between Mr. Elliott and myself, 

 let me give you these figures: The length of those 205 salted skins was 7,404 inches, 

 and that made an average of each skin of 36.1 inches. * * * The skins, you see, 

 in the salting process had expanded. * * * 



Mr. Stephens. You think it would be very hard to distinguish between a yearling 

 and a .'-year-old — that's your idea? 



Mr. Clark. Yes; that is my idea. 



(Testimony: Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1914; House Committee on Expenditures in the 

 Department of Commerce.) 



Now, gentlemen, that is the first time in all my 40 years' experience 

 that I ever heard that salting a sealskin " expanded" its length 4 

 or 5 inches. Is not that an amazing stultification, since the con- 

 tention of these scientists has been that they shrink 4 or 5 inches ? 

 Yet this man measures 205 of them and he says the green lengths are 

 ''expanded" "from 32 inches to 33, on up to 36 inches "! the very 

 reverse of the truth. 



W. I. Lembkey, duly sworn, testifies that it is impossible to measure 

 a "green" skin of the fur seal after it is removed from the body; can 

 only be measured properly after salting. 



Mr. Madden. Would not a stretched skin show that it had been stretched? 



Mr. Lembkey. No; the green skin, as a matter of fact, is as pliable as a piece of 

 india rubber, and in throwing it down on the ground it may curl up or stretch length- 

 wise; it is so elusive in form it is impossible for us to measure it; that is the truth of the 

 matter. 



Mr. McGillictjddy. You say measurement would not be reliable because it might 

 be stretched. Suppose you did not stretch it, suppose you take it honestly, then 

 would it be, if honestly taken, would it be a test? 



Mr. Lembkey. I tried to make that clear to the committee. 



The Chairman. That is a direct question. Why do you not answer it? 



Mr. Lembkey. I am attempting to. It is impossible; of course, all our actions up 

 there are honestly 



Mr. Madden (interposing). Answer the question right straight. Do not try to 

 explain it. 



Mr. Lembkey. I have attempted to state that in measuring a green skin it is impos- 

 sible to find out its exact length when you lay it on the ground, because it may curl up, 

 or roll, or stretch, and it can only be measured after it has become hardened by salt. 



Mr. McGillicuddy. Then it will not stretch? 



Mr. Lembkey. Certainly not. 



Mr. McGrLLicrjDDY. That is the proper time to measure it, after it has become rigid 

 and stiff? 



Mr. Lembkey. Certainly. 



(Hearing No. 9, p. 399, Mar. 1, 1912.) 



That is from a man who does understand skins: who does under- 

 stand the salting of them. I say that without any hestitation. No 

 man understands it better than Lembkey. He understands it as well 

 as I do. He has told the truth, and Mr. Clark has told an untruth here, 

 about the management of those skins. 



The Chairman. Are you through ? 



Mr. Elliott. I am through with the skins. 



Thereupon, by unanimous consent, a recess was taken until 10.30 

 o'clock a. m. Wednesday, March 11, 1914. 



