Omaha daily bee., 1899-06-11
FOR SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATION
Most Important Expedition to Alaska Under
E. H. Harriman's Auspices.
COOPERATION OF ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
VIII visit Yukon District ana stud!
Typographical Features, Iimber,
Fauna, Minerals and Natives,
for the Benefit of Science.

Since Vitus Hearings set out in 1I2o,
at Peter the Greats command, on his ar
| duous work of exploring the Siberian coast
and waters, leading to the discovery OF
Alaska, there have been many expeditions
TO the Land of the Midnight sun, but none
probably have been more novel or import
ant than that now nearing the Alaskan
coast. Indubltable evidences have been
coming from the territory-purchased at 2
cents per acre from Russia. in 1887, and
comprising an area of about 5~,773.99. statute
square miles, with a sea coast of $4,000
miles-that it is a region covered with a
network Of virgin streams and mineral
wealth practically unlimited. Long ago,
men returning from that country told OF its
richness and their anxiety to go back with
the necessary supplies to develop the min
eral and other resources. They had only
been prepared to make the slightest inves-
t~igation, and hence came back poorer than
| hey went. This of itself was an argument
against their theories on the subject, and,
therefore,, they were unable to enlist the
needed help. There were those, however,
who believed the stories, but they were not
| possessed of sufficient means to outht the
proeDectors.
puruOsc of Hartman Expedition.
Here, however, is a body OF men not seek
ing fortunes and untold wealth amid the
SHOWS and glaciers, the mountains and
treacherous streams Of the frozen north,
but undertaking an expedition for the pur-
pose of making researches and gaining sci
entifc information on the spot, in far
| away Alaska"
Mr.. Hartman has always taken a deep
| interest in the sciences, and particularly
| scientific investigations of comparatively
unknown countries; and for many years
has been one of the most liberal patrons Of
these scientific researches.
| Lately his attention has been directed to-
ward Alaska, believing that that wonder
full and comparatively unknown territory
had much to contribute to the cause Of
science could proper means be afforded for
opening natures storehouses, always eX-
|pensive: so. in order to interest the leading
scientists Of the country heartily in the
matter he called to his aid the celebrated
scientists, DIR. C. Hart Merriam, chief of
the biological survey, Department Of
Agriculture, Washington, D. c.; DR.. Lewis
r. Morris, one Of New York Clty's famous
physicians, and the Washington Academy OF
Sciences, Washington, d. c., and provided
the means to make the expedition a sue
cess. In this way, DR.. Hartman became
the patron OF one Of the most important
scientific expeditions it has ever been the
fortune Of this country to send out.
The expedition in the cause of science,
having thus been provided for, the Wash
ington Academy OF Sciences was invited
and at a meeting ~ that institution May 2,
the invitation was unanimously accepted
and the following preamble and resolutions
were adopted:
Whereas, Mr.. Edward II, Hartman has
provided fer an expedition 10 Alaska, to
be undertaken in the summer Of 1899, and
has with the cD-pTaTatipD nj DV q HlNt
Merriam OF Washington, and Dr.. Lewis
Rutherford Morris Of New York, org5u'zed
the same in the interest Of science; and
Whereas. Mr.. Hartman has invited as
his guests a number OF prominent scientific
men Of Washington, members Of the Wosh-
ington Academy Of Sciences. Offering them
unusual opportunities for scientific research
in the coast region Of Alaska, therefore, II is
Resolved. That the academy, in behalf Of
American science. hereby tenders Mr.. liRr-