810 INVESTIGATION OP THE PUR- SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 



Now, perhaps, Mr. Charles Nagel, fellow townsman of Funsten 

 Bros., St. Louis, has been consulted, too, with Lembkey and Ever- 

 mann, by the Funsten Bros, aforesaid; perhaps he has helped them 

 to prepare that telegram which the Hon. Bird S. McGuire has read 

 into the record of this committee Saturday, March 14, last. Having 

 that "personal knowledge and study," which Funsten Bros, credit 

 him with, he would be a most competent adviser for the fur dealer's 

 deceitful telegram, if they called him in. Why should they not con- 

 sult such an " authority' ' ? 



I find that these gentlemen, Messrs. Foulke and Johnson, of St. 

 Louis, of the Funsten Bros. & Co., were busy here in this city, Wash- 

 ington, September 27, with Fish Commissioner Bowers and with Sec- 

 retary of Commerce and Labor Nagel. 



Mr. Stephens. What year ? 



Mr. Elliott. 1910. Here is a dispatch to the St. Louis Globe 

 Democrat, dated "Washington, September 28": 



John D. Johnson and P. B. Foulke, of St. Louis, are in Washington in an endeavor 

 to bring to St. Louis the fur-seal business of the Government, which now has entire 

 charge of that important industry. 



That is the same "expert" Mr. Foulke who prepared the telegram 

 which Mr. McGuire has read. 



The Missourians called at the Department of Commerce and Labor late this after- 

 noon with Fish Commissioner Bowers, and the three talked over the subject with 

 Secretary Nagel. 



The seal catch this year is estimated to be worth half a million dollars to the Gov- 

 ernment. Arrangements had already been made, however, for shipping the skins 

 to London, and they are now en route, probably having reached New York. 



It appears that the sole reason London has for many years controlled the seal market 

 is that the British tanners and dyers have the only effective process for dyeing the 

 sealskins and extracting the hair which grows among the fine fur. The St. Louisians, 

 in submitting their proposition, stated that an Englishman was about to establish a 

 plant at St. Louis which would handle the business if it could be kept in this country. 



Now I have finished my statement. 



Mr. McGuire. Who employed Funsten Bros. & Co. to sell these 

 sealskins ? 



Mr. Elliott. I do not know. They are evidently employed by 

 the Government or they would not have clone it. The Fish Com- 

 missioner can tell you that. 



Mr. McGuire. When were they sold? 



Mr. Elliott. Thev were sold December 16 last. 



Mr. McGuire. December 16, 19.13? 



Mr. Elliott. Yes; last. 



Mr. McGuire. They must have been emploved, then, after March 

 4, 1913? 



Mr. Elliott. I do not know a thing about it. I never looked 

 into it. I have not the faintest idea. Until you read that telegram, 

 I never gave it the least concern. 



Mr. McGuire. Now, Mr. Chairman, I have been requested by the 

 committee to produce the original of a purported copy which I 

 offered the other day of an examination of Mr. Elliott m a hearing 

 before the Committee on Ways and Means, March 28, 1884, page 36 

 of the hearings. I have here the original of that hearing before the 

 Ways and Means Committee. 



The Chairman. You might let Mr. Elliott look at the parts 

 referred to. 



Mr. McGuire. Certainly [handing book to Mr. Elliott]. 



