The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-15
GRAVE CHARGES
MADE AGAINST
MINISTER PIERCE

Washington, Jan. 15.-Sensational
charges against Herbert III. ID. Peirce,
United States minister TO Norway. who
was formerly third assistant secretary of
state. were made before the house COM
mttee on ways and means yesterday by
Prof. w. ii. Elliott OF Cleveland I'm con
nection with hearing on a resolution
for the further protection OF fur seals OH
the high seas.
Prof. Elliott states that while Mr..
Peirce was representing the United States
government before The Hague tribunal I'm
the settlement Of claims growing out OF
the seizure of the sealing vessel j. Ham
tlton Lewis by the Russian government
on the charge of piracy. he also repre-
sented the owners OF the vessel and even
instituted action I'm the United States dis
trict court for the District OF Columbia
20 insure the payment OF his fees out of
the money awarded TO the vessel own
ers.
Representatives Champ Clark and John
Sharp Williams questioned Mr.. Elliott
carefully about the charge. and said that
81 reflected so seriously upon the admin
istration that il must be looked into care
fully.
The chief purpose of Prof Elliott i'm APP
pearing before the committee, he ex-
planned. was to have the United states
annul the lease Of the sealing privileges
on the Prbilof Islands, which II has
granted 10 the North American CONNER
cial company. He told the committee that
the officers OF the company perjured
themselves when they obtained the lease,
as they swore they were not engaged I'm
pelagic sealing. In spite OF this oath. ne
gays, they equipped the j. Hamilton
Lewis, i'm command of Capt. Alexander
McClain which Prof Elliott alleges was
rightfully seized by the Russian govern
ment This seizure was In 1901. and Mr..
Elliott said that Mr. Peirces activity In
collecting fee from the vesesl owners
Mr.. Elliott told the committee that
when he appeared before ii two years ago
he was acting as the confidential agent
OF Secretary OF State Hay. although he
was not at liberty TO reveal those rela-
tons with the state department. He
said that at the time he had been prom
ised by Frank II. Hitchcock OF the de-
partment OF commerce and labor, now
first assistant postmaster general. that
tho regulations prohibiting pelagic seal
ing would be enforced.
MIR Elliott insinuated that because of
Mr.. Hitchcock's failure 10 make good his
promise. he was removed from the de-
pertment of commerce and labor.
Concerning that promise, Mr.. Elliott
said: II accepted that promise in place
OF the then pending legislation, but sus-
pected at the time that Mr.. Hitchcock
D E9gd be re- Ss% York e h HE The na
tonal Republican committee, where he
was OF just about much use as a plum
pudding dog under a tally-ho coach.
Mr.. Elliott said that the seal fight had
now reached the point where those who
were endeavoring To protect the seal
herds were notified in advance by the
Seal Island lessees that any legislation
detrimental to their interests would be
defeated.
During the recital by Mr.. Elliott Of his
charge that Mr.. Peirce claimed fee for
his services i'm getting an award for the
owner of the vessel, j. Hamilton Lewis,
Chairman Payne of the committee de-
Clared that the committee was not inter-
ested with what Mr.. Perce had done.
Messrs. Clark and Williams protested
that the committee was concerned with
the charges against Mr. Peirce and that
they intended 10 have the matter inves-
tigated. Mr.. Payne said he could not see
it that way, but II was a matter the
full committee could decide. The ques-
tion OF an investigation of the charges
will be taken up later. and there will be
further hearings on the entire subject.