78 ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1918. 
By direction of the Secretary of Commerce, the agents and care- 
takers on the Pribilof Islands were sent copies of the following letter 
from the Secretary of the Navy, dated June 27, 1918, expressing the 
appreciation of the commanding officer of the Alaskan Radio Expe- 
dition, 1918, for their cooperation and assistance: 
I have the honor to quote the following letter received from the commanding officer, 
Alaskan Radio Expedition, 1918, for your information: 
“Upon the arrival of the Alaskan Radio Expedition and U. 8. 8S. Saturn at the 
Pribilof Islands we were given every assistance that could possibly be expected from 
the Bureau of Fisheries. The agents in charge, Mr. A. H. Proctor and Mr. H. C 
Fassett, merit being brought to the attention of the Department of Commerce for their 
many acts which were so largely instrumental in promoting the work of the expedition. 
“To enumerate the many ways in which they assisted us would be a tedious task. 
This assistance ranged from placing their transportation and repair facilities at our 
disposal to furnishing accommodations and subsistence to officers and yard officials 
in charge of the construction work. Aside from the material assistance they were 
able to afford, their spirit of coordination was in itself highly appreciated.”’ 
Hon. Fred M. Brown, judge of the United States Court, division 
No. 3, Territory of Alaska, advised in February that he has appointed 
A. H. Proctor, agent and caretaker, St. George Island, as United 
States commissioner. This was done upon recommendation of the. 
Bureau, it being thought necessary at the time in order to comply 
with the marriage-law requirements of the Territory of Alaska. 
PURCHASE AND TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES. 
As heretofore, arrangements were made to furnish the islands with 
supplies and equipment essential to the welfare of the natives and 
regular employees comprising the Bureau’s staff. Schedules were 
printed listing most of the items requisitioned by the agents. Every 
effort was made to reduce all supplies as much as possible on account 
of war conditions. Bids were opened at Washington, May 28, for 
general supplies. It was found there had occurred a considerable 
advance in price on most of the commodities needed. Supplies were 
assembled at Seattle, the most convenient shipping point for the Pri- 
bilofs. Most of the successful bidders were located at Seattle. 
Arrangements were made with Hibbard, Swenson & Co. at Seattle 
to transport 100 tons.of coal from Seattle to the Pribilof Islands on 
the Belvedere, a power trading schooner, which has made several 
voyages to the Siberian and Arctic coasts. The War Trade Board 
had considered the advisability of refusing a license for stores and 
bunker supplies, but the owners offered to transport to the Pribilofs 
100 tons of cargo without cost to the Bureau, Upon representations 
of the advantage accruing to the Bureau, the War Trade Board 
granted the necessary license. The Belvedere left Seattle on April 1 
with 100 tons of coal and a few other supplies for the Pribilofs. The 
vessel finished discharging at the islands on April 30. 
The Roosevelt left Seattle April 27 with a cargo of approximately 
319 tons of general freightsand 115,000 feet of lumber for the islands. 
Passengers were five men in the employ of Funsten Bros. & Co., who 
were sent to assist in sealing work, and Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Reynolds. 
Three light motor trucks were included in the cargo. 
Arrangements were made with the Bureau of Lighthouses for the 
transportation on the lighthouse tender Cedar of certain heavy items 
of machinery for the by-products plant, it being regarded that the 
hoisting gear on the Roosevelt would not handle these heavy pieces. 
