Iditarod pioneer., 1916-03-25
POSTOFFECE DEPARTMENT
 ADVERTISES FOR BIDS
 FOR AEROpLANE SERVICE

 received a communication from the second assistant postmaster general, dated Wash ington, February 12, in relation to the plan for carrying Interior Alaska mails by aero plane. The letter IS as follows:
 Persons interested in the operation of aeroplanes have represented to the depart ment the practicabillty of carrying the mails on aerial routes on regular scheduled trips. With the view of determining whether 1t IS practicable to convey the mails by aero planes in such manner as to increase the p0stal facilities of patrons, especially on routes where ordinary travel is difficult and with the view of encouraging advancement in the means of transporting the mails, an advertisement has been issued inviting pro posalS for aerOFlane service on a route Tn Massachusetts and on several routes in 1 Alaska Ii is intended to award contracts srr the service if reasonable proposals are received A copy of the advertisement IS transmitted to you herewith"
 The advertisement gives the terms under which contracts will be let OH various routes and states that proposals will be received at the office of the second assistant postmaster general until 1 30 D. m. of May 12 1916. Contracts must be executed and filed in the 1 department within thirty days from the ac- ceptance of proposals. The various routes with the weight limits etc. of interest to this district, are as follows:
 67S0l3-From Seward, by knik, Susitna, | McGrath. Tokotna and Flat, to Iditarod, 1 38O miles and back twice a week all the 1 year, carrying such mail as the department may dispatch, the total weight not to ex- ceed 1000 pounds a sing,e trip, each way. 1 l cave Seward Monday and Thursday; ar rive at Iditarod in two days; leave Iditarod Monday and Thursday; arrive at Seward 1 in two days Bond required with bid, 1 S25. .000 If this route be iat no award will be made on routes Nos 67SO1f or ! 6780l5.
 ! 67SO14 From Seward, by Knik, Susitna, | McGrath, TokOtna and Flat, to Iditarod 380 miles and back. twice week all the year carrying such mail as the department may dispatch, the total weight not to exceed ] 2,GO0 pounds single trip, each way, Leave ] Seward Monday and Thursday; arrive at 1 Idtarod in two days; leave Iditarod Mon | day and Thursday; arrive at Seward in two i days If this route be let, no award will be made under the advertisement for service on routes Nos 678013 or 6180l5.
 67S015-Trom Seward, by knik, Susitna, McGrath, T9kotna and Flat to iditarod, 360 miIas and back, twice q week from October l to May 3l, carrying such mail a. the de- partment may dispatch, the total weight net to exceed 1 GOO pounds single trip. Departures and arrivals as in preceding routes Bond. S15O00 Ii this route be let, no award will be made on routes Nos. 67S013 and 67S014,
 678016 From IGitarod, by Holy Cross, St. Michael, Gclovin, Buff and solomon, to Nome, 2SO miles and back, twice a week
 all the year, carrying such mail as the de partment may dispatch, the total weight not to exceed 500 pounds a single trip, each way. Leave Idtarod Sunday and Thurs day; arrive at Nome in twentyfour hours leave Nome Tuesday and Saturday; arrive at Iditar0d in twenty four hours. Bond, S2O00C If this route be let there will be no award on various other routes mentioned f in the advertisement.
 678017-from Iditarod by Holy Gross, l St. Michael, Goovin, Bluff and Solomon, to ! Nome 2S0 miles and back. twice a week all the year, carrying such mail a5 the depart ment may dispatch, the total weight not 1 to exceed 1860 pounds single trip, each Way Time allowance, twanty-fGur hours each way Bond, @2O0O0, If thls route l be let no award will be made cn various other routes mentioned in the advertise ment.
 67S0l8 From Icitarod, by Hcly Cross St. Michael, Gclovjn, Bluff and Solomon to Nome, 260 miles and back twice week. from October to May 31, each year, carry ing such mail as the department may dis patch, the total weight not to exceed 500 pounds single trip, each way. Time limit twenty-four hours each way. Bond, s12,000 If this route be let no award will be made on various other routes mentioned in the 1 advertisement.
 Other routes on which bids are asked are from Valdez to Fairbanks, from Fairbanks to Tanana, from Tanana to Kaltag, from Kaltag to Nome and from Seward to An chorage
 11yFr THrpyYO~vr ~YrYn