Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-13
TIP FOR HORNADAY
Says NageI Advised Him to
Keep Out of Seal Fight.
TELLS STORY AT CAPITAL
Commissioner Bowers, He Says, Also
Tried to Suppress" Him.
Lively Times Ahead.

Secretary Nagel Of the Department of
Commerce and Labor and Fish Commits
sioner Bowers tried to suppress DR..
William T. Hornaday, director Of the
New York Geological Park and a promi-
nent member of the Camp Fire Club.
two years ago because Of the latter's eff
forts to secure the enactment of legisla
ton to preserve the diminishing seal
herd of the Pribiloff Islands Of Alaska,
according to DR.. Hornadays testimony
today before the House committee on ex-
penditures in the Department Of Com
merce and Labor.
Representative Townsend Of New Jer-
sey. author of the resolution under
which the hearings are being conducted,
developed the fact that after Senator
Dixon of Montana had introduced reso-
lutions intended to preserve the herd
from extinction at the request Of the
Camp Fire Club, Secretary, Nagel and
his subordinates got busy in an effort
to convince members of the. club that
Or. Hornaday, who was conducting the
seal fight for the organization, should
be called off.
Against Executive Order.
1t is pointed out that activities of this
sort on the part of government officials
against legislation pending in Congress
are prohibited by executive order. and the
members of the committee seem to think
that today's testimony is extremely i'm
portant on that account. Dr. Hornaday
was called here from New York for the
express purpose of proving that officials
Dor had endeavored to suppress him
and that other members of the Camp
Fire Club had been seen for this purpose.
1t was brought out today that the Camp
Fire Club sent to Senator Dixon Octo-
Der 20, 1909 the draft Of resolution in
tended to assist in the preservation of the
herd by inaugurating closed season,
that the resolution was introduced by the
senator December Z, that December ID
DR.. Barton Evermann of the fish commits
sion wrote to Fish Commissioner Bow
ers, suggesting that steps be taken to
get the Camp Fire Club back into line.
and that sometime later Mr.. Bowers him
self went to New York and endeavored
to have DR.. Hornaday called off,
DR. Hornaday told the committee how
he learned from his friends that his
activities on behalf of the preservation
Of the seal herd were being attacked and
read a copy of a letter he had received
from Secretary Nagel. in which he was
business. Some members Of the commit
tee seemed to think that one Of Secretary
Nagel's utterances in this communication
verged on a threat.
Wanted Hands Kept OF.
Now, Mr. Hornaday." says the last
paragraph of this letter, you have con-
siderable responsibilities in your official
employment and I shall endeavor not to
al h~~ 49, -
me the same privilege in my capacity.
always welcome advice: l do not fear
criticism; but I discourage unnecessary
comment Upon other men engaged in my
bureau, who are charged with responsible
duties, who are expected to be loyal and
who are not in a position to defend
themselves. l regard It as my part to
speak UP for Them
This letter was addressed to DR.. Norma
day in his capacity as chairman OF the
of the Camp Fire Club. Replying to this
letter, DR.. Hornaday told Secretary Nagel
that, as a result of legislation passed by
the Senate in 1909. II he permitted any
seals to be killed in the Pribilof Islands
during his term of Office lit will be q
breach OF the faith that has been reposed
in you by the Senate committee on the
conservation of national resources. AS
to the consequences of this course, 1t is
lions just now"
Mr.. Townsend asked DR.. Hornaday
what would be the effect on the seal herd
IL killing is permitted to continue.
Need Absolute Rest.
ut would interfere DR.. Hornaday re-
piled, with the natural development OF
the herd and would have a very detri-
mental effect A species brought to the
verge Of extinction by overkilling must
have absolute rest"
The committee broke UP in the usual
row. Prof. Henry W. Elliott Of Cleveland.
Ohio. the seal expert, wanted Fish Com
missioner Bowers put on the stand. Mr..
Bowers and Prof. Elliott exchanged such
remarks as ''liar" and 'perjurer'' the
other day.
Before we adjourn today I want that
man put on the stand" cried Elliott
when DR.. Hornaday had completed his
testimony, shaking his fist at Bowers.
He called me liar He's not going
to get away from here. I'm going to
fix him." .-.t--h
Representative Rothermel of Pennsyl-
vania, the committee chairman who has
managed to preserve peace under diff
culties up to date, poured Oil on the trou-
bied waters. Mr.. Bowers will take the
stand next week, to be examined by
Prof. Elliott, and the fur is expected to