XXV111 INTRODUCTION 



interests are involved, where numerous stops at widely 

 separated localities must be made, and where great dis- 

 tances must be covered in the shortest practicable time, 

 success or failure depends on the capacity of the leader, 

 the efficiency of the organization, the perfection of the 

 equipment, and the enthusiasm, training, and cooperative 

 spirit of the individual members. That so much was 

 accomplished is sufficient evidence as to the way these 

 conditions were fulfilled. 



The day after leaving New York Mr. Harriman called 

 together the members of the Expedition and announced 

 that it was not his desire to dictate the route to be fol- 

 lowed, or to control the details of the work. In accord- 

 ance with his wishes a business organization was effected, 

 comprising an executive committee, a committee on route 

 and plans, and special committees on the various scientific 

 activities. These committees, throughout the voyage, held 

 frequent meetings and determined from day to day the 

 operations of the Expedition. 



Another factor which contributed materially to the 

 results was the length of the days and lightness of the 

 nights in northern latitudes, permitting work on shore 

 during the greater part of the night. Some of the stops 

 where important collecting was done, as at Taku Harbor 

 and Hall Island, were made in the night, the vessel leav- 

 ing before daylight. 



Among the unusual features which contributed to the 

 success of the Expedition, three are worthy of special 

 mention: 



(i) The ship had no business other than to convey the 

 party whithersoever it desired to go. Her route was en- 

 trusted to a committee comprising the heads of the various 

 departments of research; so that from day to day and 

 hour to hour her movements were made to subserve the 

 interests of the scientific work. 



