The Nome nugget., 1923-06-16
BUF0RD ANSWERS MONIES CRY FOR SERVICE
PASSENGERS lAuD
 BuF0RO SERVICE

The S. S. Buford, owned and con trolled by Ogden and Lnderman, old time shipping men of San Francesca and operated under the name Of Alaska Siberian Navigation Com many, arrived in Nome Wednesday afternoon at 2:40, forty minutes behind the Victoria, after one of the most pleasant trips ever experience ed by travellers to the Nome dis- trict.
 Captain Louis L. Lane, former Nome man, is in charge of the new carrier and demonstrated to his passengers that steam boat can be run to Nome in such manner that every one aboard is comfortable and well protected from both the ele- meuts and the harpies aboard.
 The Buford is an ex transport and when in the army service car ried as many as 1900 men at one
 
 time, Since being acquired by the present owners the boat has under gone remOdeling and refitting until she now affords tbe most unusual Accommodations for her passengers.
 She has length of .,4fe feet over decks, a beam of AZ feet and gross capacity of 5000 tons. with ssso tons displacement.
 She is an oil burner and has a speed of from 12 to 13 knots per hour. Being equipped to care for 172 first class. 60 intermediate and over 300 steerage passengers. the boat differs essentially from other boats coming to Nome. All the hunks and standees have been re- moved and all rooms are equipped with beds. Not only are first class accomodations supplied with this innovation, the steerage passengers have beds with spring mattresses and all bedding supplied.
 The cuisine cannot be surpassed by anything on the Pacific. even the steerage passengers have a we'll balanced and plentiful menu. in cluding midnight lunches.
 A large Social Hall is open to all the passengers. A dance hall, with a maple floor afforded passengers many delightful hours dancing. An electric piano supplied the music and with the exception of one even ing, dancing was indulsed in each day turnout the trip. In the dance hail is found miniature store hand ling candy. cicgars. cigarettes. ice cream and soft drinks, all sold at cost plus handling charges. The Company has installed this feature as an accomo odation to it's patrons and makes no attempt to derive a profit
 The passengers are loud in their praise of the vigilance and courtesy of Captain Lane and his subordi- mates. The captain issued orders to his crew to exert themselves to their utmost In careing for the peo- pie aboard. A special request was made to the passengers. regardless of class. to report any discourtesy. inattention or dissatisfaction on part of the crew. Professional gambling. one of the reprehensible features of former sailings from Nome was entirely eliminated. Grafting by employees was killed in the bud. Two employees were de- tected pursuing the customary method of holding up the passen- gers for the things they were entitl- ed to and as soon as Captain Lane learned the facts one of the Steer age Stewards was repremanded and the Second Steward was disrated. discharged and confined to his room and placed ashore upon the boats arrival. This action on part of the Captain quickly discouraged any further attempts at grating and passengers soon learned that ser vice was one of the obligations of