THE FUR SEALS AND OTHER LIFE OF THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



ALASKA, IN 1914. 



By WILFRED H. OSGOOD, EDWARD A. PREBLE, and GEORGE H. PARKER. 



INTRODUCTION. 



PERSONNEL AND INSTRUCTIONS. 



In the spring of 1914, at the instance of the Secretary of Commerce, steps were 

 taken to send three investigators to the Pribilof Islands to examine and report on the 

 condition of the fur-seal herd. To this end the president of the National Academy of 

 Sciences, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and the Secretary of the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture were requested to make nominations. The only restriction im- 

 posed was that the nominees should have had no previous connection with the fur-seal 

 question, in order that they might approach the subject uninfluenced by the controver- 

 sies which have for some time beset the subject. The nominations were as follows: 

 George H. Parker, of Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., by the National Academy 

 of Sciences; Wilfred H. Osgood, of the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 111., 

 by the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; and Edward A. Preble, of the Bureau 

 of Biological Survey, Department of Agriculture, by the Secretary of Agriculture. All 

 having accepted, a conference was held in Washington on April 20, and tentative plans 

 were formulated. In due time the nominees were appointed as temporary special assist- 

 ants of the Bureau of Fisheries, and detailed individual letters of instructions were 

 issued to them. The nature of these instructions is indicated by the following letter 

 which was addressed to G. H. Parker, and which is essentially Hke those sent to the 



others : 



Department of Commerce, 



Office op the Secretary, 



Washington, May 26, IQI4. 

 Dear Sir: You have been engaged as a temporary special assistant of the Department of Com- 

 merce, Bureau of Fisheries, beginning June i, 19 14, and you are assigned to an investigation of the 

 Alaskan fur seals and various questions connected therewith, in cooperation with Mr. Wilfred H. Osgood 

 and Mr. Edward A. Preble, in accordance with the instructions which are contained herein or which 

 may hereafter be issued. 



You will arrange to sail for the Pribilof Islands from Seattle on or about June 8, on the revenue 

 cutter McCulloch, which is under orders from the Treasury Department to carry your party to the seal 

 islands. Your return trip from the seal islands to a point where a regular passenger steamer is available 

 will likewise be made on a revenue cutter which will be detailed for the purpose. 



The time of your sojourn on the islands is left to your discretion. It is hoped, however, that you 

 will remain as long as it is possible to obtain information of value bearing on the special object of your 

 visit. 



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