The Nome nugget., 1920-09-18
BEAR MAY CARRY
 PASSENGERS TO OUTSIDE

by Governor Riggs, toward relieving the situa ton created by the refusal of the Alaska Steamship Company to make the usual late fall sailing from Coast Guard Cutter Bear may be se- cured to take out bona fide dredge men who are unable to secure passage on the Victoria or Cordova, both of whicl. are already sold out.
 In a telegram to the Chamber of Commerce received late Saturday the Governor advised the local organza- tiOn as follows:
 Juneau, Sept. II, 1920 Northwestern Chamber of Commerce,
 Nome.
 Alaska Steamship Company wires (that on) account of previous delays steamer Victoria will not get away from Seattle on fourth voyage before September o3 This would make her ready to sail southbound about Oc tober 8, which would make a fifth voy- age leave Seattle October 23 or later. The company claims this too late Company willing to delay sailing from Nntne until October 15 at own expense, but wants $1,O0o per day dernurage, paid in advance. for every lay over that date if fuel supply will permit.
 Shall l suggest to Company that ten days to make corresponding later departurs from Nome: and would mat ters be helped if I can get authority for Cutter Bear to carry 75 or 10J men, actual dredge operators (from) Nome to Sewardo
 Signed; Riggs. Gov
 Voicing the view that the company had it been inclined to favor the peo- pie who have helped support it for years, could have prevented the pres ent situatio by sending another of its many vessels to take the place of the delayed Victoria, the Chamber of Com merce replied to the governor as fol- lows:
 Nome. Sept. l2, 1920 Riggs, Governor, Juneau,
 Re tel 11th: We are aware i,npossi- ble for Victoria to make fifth trip but think steamship company should have accepted our request and put (on ex- tra boat on run to handle fall traffic
 Delay tof) Victoria North -bound sailing now of no consequence as all merchandise or1ers have been place according to previous announcement. Definite sailing date from Nome should be set immediately in order to permit operators in outlying sections to continue work as late as possible. We cannot pay Victoria demurragc. Service of Bear to carry operators to Seward leaving Nome about October 25th would prove d great value. We should have definite information as k. what number passengers Bear ca, carry and her sailing date. We thank you for your efforts in our behalf. Signed Northwestern Alaska Cham Der of Commerce.
 As matters stand at present. to Victoria will leave Nome October 15. with the Cordova scheduled to depart same days earlier. the date depending on the time cf. her return from the Arctic coast. Present indications are that there will be a surn us of passer- gers over and above the number these vessels may carry. Both steamers are reported sold out from stem to stern with many representative people forced to take steerage passage owing to no other accommodations being available and there are still said to be a con- siderable number who have not secn-- ed passage. This deplortble situation can be to some extent relieved if the services of the Bear can be secured, although matters would be improved if the cutter should be permitted to take specified number of male pass- engers. regardless Of whether they ars dFedee people or not. Unless tlis is allowed. 1t appears certain that soma who wish to leave for .he south. will Se foscsd to cool their heel9 for aa- ether winter.