INVESTIGATION" OF THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 805 



The Chairman. I want to ask Mr. Elliott whether he has any 

 explanation to make as to this point ? 



Mr. Elliott. I have. Mr. Chairman, just before the committee 

 recessed last Saturday, 14th instant, over to this meeting to-day, 

 Mr. McGuire read into the record of this testimony the following 

 telegram, which he had solicited, to wit — am I correct in that? Did 

 you not say you asked for it, Mr. McGuire ? 



Mi*. McGuire. As a result of a telegram which I sent. 



Mr. Elliott. Yes; in other words, you asked him to send it? 



Mr. McGuire. A telegram requesting the information. I did not 

 solicit this telegram. I solicited information. 



Mr. Elliott. I do not want to make a misstatement, but I got the 

 impression you solicited this telegram. 



Air. McGuire. I solicited information on that point. 



Mr. Elliott. Yes; that is right. 



St. Louis, Mo., March 13, 1914. 

 Hon. Bird S. McGuire, 



House of Representatives, Washington, D. C: 

 Telegram received. Alaska sealskins handled by us for United States Govern- 

 ment last December did not have enough blubber left on the skins. This was the 

 only criticism made by the buyers in connection with the shipment and sale. They 

 were otherwise properly skinned, properly salted, and bundled for shipment. 



Funsten Bros. & Co. 



That the above-quoted telegram was deliberately prepared and sent 

 to deceive Mr. McGuire is self-confessed by the sender in the follow- 

 ing report, which Funsten Bros. & Co. gave to the fur trade of the 

 United States under date of December 16, 1913, to wit: 



THE ST. LOUIS SALE. 



The first public auction sale of the United States Government's Alaska fur seals, 

 blue and white foxes, ever held in the United States took place December 16 in the 

 Funsten Far Exchange, 115-117 South Second Street, St. Louis. 



There were 200 buyers present from all parts of the world to attend this sale. The 

 buying was spirited throughout and the purchasers were prominent firms through- 

 out the trade. of America and Europe. The selling brokers were Messrs. Foulke & 

 Ahern. 



FUNSTEN BROS. & CO.'S REPORT. 



St. Louis, Mo., December 16, 1913. 



Dear Sirs: We take pleasure in submitting the following report of our sale of the' 

 United States Government's fur seals, blue and white foxes, which were sold by us 

 at public auction in the Funsten Fur Exchange at St. Louis, Tuesday, December 16: 



"The Alsaka fur seals sold 5 per cent higher than the London last October basis. 

 If the increased 10 per cent duty on dressed and dyed skins imported into the United 

 States were taken into consideration, the result would be 15 per cent higher than the 

 London last October basis, or 10 per cent below last London January sale of Alaskan 

 seals." 



The above report of Funsten Bros. & Co. to the fur traders and 

 buyers of the United States is published in the Fur Trade Review, 

 New York, January 1, 1914, page 69. 



Is there a word in it which suggests that telegram to Mr. McGuire 

 as sent by Funsten Bros. & Co. March 13, 1914, and read into this 

 record ? 



Is there a word in it which tells the traders and fur buyers the 

 reason why these skins sold lower December 16,. 1913, by 10 per cent 

 than the same sort of seal skins sold in London on January 17, 1914? 



