4 FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA IN 1910. 



ditions. On May 9 the annual instructions to the agent in charge 

 were signed; shortly afterwards $2,000 in cash was advanced to the 

 agent to pay for labor on the islands other than that of killing seals, 

 bonds being given by himself and assistant agents to insure the 

 proper handling of this fund and the faithful performance of duties 

 in general. On May 17 the agent in charge left Washington to begin 

 the preparations for carrying out the requirements of the act of April 

 21, 1910. 



HIRE OF VESSEL AND PURCHASE AND TRANSPORTATION OF SUPPLIES. 



On May 21 the agent arrived in San Francisco and on the 26th a 

 charter for the steamer Homer at $142.50 per diem was signed, sub- 

 ject to the approval of the Department of Commerce and Labor. 

 This vessel was delivered under the charter June 1 , and was sent first 

 to the coal bunkers to receive her fuel and cargo coal and thence to 

 the covered dock of the Cosmos Line to receive freight. 



After the charter of the Homer was completed, the purchase of 

 supplies for the natives and the islands in general was next to be 

 taken up. ' It was found at once that the best prices on the goods 

 required could not be obtained without inviting competitive bids; 

 consequently, with the assistance of the North American Commercial 

 Company, the retiring lessee, which placed its annual requisitions 

 at the Department's disposal, schedules of the principal classes of 

 merchandise were prepared in triplicate and presented to three of 

 the largest mercantile firms in the several lines of business, with the 

 request that each submit a bid in writing. All merchandise, with 

 the exception of small articles of miscellaneous classification, was 

 thus purchased from the lowest bidder, after a careful inspection of 

 the goods to determine whether the quality as well as the price was 

 satisfactory. 



It was necessary to visit in person the place of business of each 

 firm to solicit these bids; to go again to make purchases, and again 

 to deliver the vouchers in payment of the articles purchased. With 

 this and the attendant clerical work, it is considered that no time 

 was wasted in the preparations incident to the sailing of the supply 

 ship for the islands. 



During the period from June 1 to 10, the supplies were purchased 

 and the vessel loaded. On June 11 the Homer sailed from San 

 Francisco, arriving at Dutch Harbor June 24. Coaling there, she 

 proceeded to the islands, arriving at St. George June 27 and St. 

 Paul June 29. Having discharged all freight, she left on July 1 

 for Dutch Harbor to load coal for the natives' use. Delivering this 

 coal on July 7-11, she returned to San Francisco July 23. 



Taking on another cargo of merchandise, together with coal enough 

 for the round trip to the islands, the Homer again left San Francisco 



