West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-10-15

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12.-One OF the
first things which was done by Secre-
tary Redfield after assuming charge OF
the Department OF Commerce was to
request the immediate resignation OF
George M. Bowers. then United States
Commissioner OF Fisheries. now a cam
didate for election to Congress. 1t
was not a case OF wanting the office
for Democrat. either. for the man
appointed to succeed Bowers is a Re-
publican. He was regarded as the
best equipped man who could be found
for the place and his party utilization
made no difference to the head OF the
Department who wanted the Office adj
ministered in such a way as to comply
with the law and reflect credit on the
administration.
Practically clean sweep was made
OF the old employees in the Fisheries
Buruea and also some OF their Of
fees were abolished as unnecessary.
All who had been closely identified
could not show a clean bill of health
were asked to resign or were sum
marily removed. In statement made
before the House Committee on Ex-
penditures in the Department of Com
merce. on October 10, 1913, Secretary
Redfeld said that the changes he had
made in the Bureau of Fisheries were
administrative changes; changes, to
be frank, in what l regarded as inju-
dicious continuance of personnel;
principally because the places were
unnecessary and / did not feel justi-
fed in continuing the expense, and al
so because they were out OF harmony
with the administrative policy of the
Department and because l felt them
to be out of harmony with the law,
which law / regard as a sound and
wise one"
Asked as to what particular law he
meant, Secretary Redfeld said: 1.-THE
law having to do with the five-year
closed season for the seal islands"
He was asked whether he meant to say
that they were not willing to comply
with the law and replied: mo, / do
of any act of disobedience, but l speak
OF their mental attitude. their past
attitude, which seemed to be inhar-
monious with the law OF Congress"
In regard to the removal of two OF
the men who held important positions
under Commissioner Bowers, in con-
nection with the fur-seal business
Secretary Redfield said:
II think you ought to know that
some weeks ago / instructed the Act
ing Commissioner of Fisheries to omit
from the estimates for the coming year
the post now filled by the gentleman
whose title is that of Chief of the
Alaska division, DR.. Evermann. / felt
that that post was no longer neces-
sary, that 1t was needless expense
and l will frankly say that 1 also
felt that DR.. Evermann's attitude to-
ward the legislation which is now the
law was not such as seemed to me
desirable in the person holding that
responsible position. At the same time
1 gave instructions that the employ
ment by the department OF Mr.. Lemb-
key, who was, as l remember, the only
survivor of the former staff of the is
lands, should be terminated, and sew
eral days ago i had the pleasure OF
pay check. These changes were made
because l deemed 1t entirely desirable
to be rid of any elements that were
not in accord with the law as IL
stands and because, as I say. the posts
were deemed unnecessary"
Thus 1t may be seen from the state
himself that the changes made in the
Bureau of Fisheries were because the
men who had been holding the posi-
tons were not regarded as in har-
mony with the law and because the
Secretary believed the proper enforce
ment OF the law made it advisable to
have different men in the places.
Back in 1891, Charles j. Goff, who
was a brother of United States Sena-
tor Nathan Goff, was a special agent
of the Department of Commerce and
was assigned to the seal islands of
Alaska. He did not hesitate to make
known his opposition to the manner
in which the seals were being slaugh-
tered in violation Of the law and he
was summarily removed from his post
and transferred to Montreal. This
was before Mr.. Bowers became Fish
Commissioner, but throws some light
OF conditions which made II necessary
for the lessees OF the sealing privi-
leges TO get friend at court and Sc
cure the appointment of Bowers. The
tee which investigated the fur--seal
scandal shows that the law was VIC
latedu during the term OF office OF MIR.
Bowers just as II was before that time,
and consequently the views of this
well known West virginian. now dead.
who was a brother OF Senator Gof,
will be read with interest. In letter
TO friend who was conversant with
conditions on the seal islands, he
wrote from Montreal. May 9. 1891
as follows:
MY dear Mr.. Elliott:
Your favor Just received and am
glad you are still in the land of the
living and willing to expose the Boring
Sea steal You say there will be a