The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-16
THE SLOW DUWAMISH
Report of Engineers Against
Its Improvement.
sEATTLE's BIG LAND OFFICE
Only Two Others in the United States
DO Half as Much Business-Ex-
penses Of Indian Service.

WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. 10 Special. f.
The engineers, as you probably have been
informed, report against any Improvement
OF the Duwamish and Black rivers. As the
people will be no doubt anxious to know
the whole facts, here give what Captain
Symons, engineer in charge, has to say.
These rivers are considered together, as they
together form an outlet from Lake Washington
into Elliot bay, an arm of Puget sound, on which
is situated the city of Seattle.
1t is my opinion that these rivers are not
worthy OF improvement at the present time. III
the city OF Seattle continues TO increase In popu-
iation and wealth, il may in future be desirable
to improve them
as lar UP as the junction of the Black and White
rivers, which navigation also extended about
hfteen miles further up the White river. This
navigation mas entirely ceased OF late, boats be-
ing unable 10 compete with the Northern Pacific
railway, which traverses the country formerly
reached by the boats
The main obstruction to the navigation of the
Duwalnish river lies in the tide flats at the head
OF Elliott bay across which its waters flow to the
deep water Of the Sound.
The channels across this tide land have been
piled across and filled in, and wharves extended
to deep water causing the water of the river 10
scatter in all directions over the tide land at low
water, making 1t impossible for steamers to
enter the river.
The state legislature created a harbor line
commission, which is at present at work estab-
fishing harbor boundaries for Seattle. am in
formed that IL was intended to locate the main
channel for the Duwamish river across the tide
lands, ana one or more additional channels to
be used for navigation in the future.
As far as can be ascertained, there is no local
or general demand for the improvement of the
Black and Duwamish rivers. In this connection
II may be stated that the board OF engineers ap-
pointed TO make the survey for ship canal con-
Meeting the waters of Lakes Mon. Washington
aud samamish with Puget sound will take into
consideration the route from Puget sound to
Lake Washington via the Duwamish and Black
rivers, and wherever the connecting canal is To-
Gated II VIII unquestionably have some effect
upon the regimen OF these rivers, and Ii is in
sequence considered advisable for this ad-
ditional reason TO postpone any further consid
Grafton OF ether improvement at the present
time.
The lighthouse board asks for distinct
appropriation of $4,000 for establishing
and maintaining post lights in or near
Puget sound and tributary waters. 1t is
stated that the demand for these lights is
increasing with the growing commerce,
and that now that night passages are
being attempted, such lights are necessary
to safety. Heretofore the expense for
this service has been out of the general
fund.
The coast survey wants $4,000 for con-
timing the survey of the Washington
coast and to continue the survey of the
Columbia river from the mouth of the
Willamette towards the Cascades.
The war department desires an appro-
priation to enable the employment of
custodians, at salary not exceeding $40
a year, at the following abandoned mill
tary reservations in the state: Fort
Colville and Point Roberts.
The commissioners of Indian affairs asks
for the following sums to meet the ex-
penses of the service in Washington:
Fulfilling treaties with Columbias and Col
yiIles f,,loo; support OF puwami s and Other cI
support of Neg Perces of Joseph's band $4,000;
support OF the .Qui -nai-elts and Quilleh-utes,
epo; support 81 the naliam ans ot;i SUPPORT ,I
$500; support of the Yakimas, $4,000.
Incidental expenses Colville, $500; Ms
qualify, $500; Neah Bay, COO Yakima, 81 900;
S'kokomsh, l,O0o Tulalip, $1,000; and Qui-nai-
elts, $1,000.
As already indicated in this correspond
ence, the secretary of war declined to
make any estimates for river and harbor
Improvements.
The following interesting statistics rela-
tive to the land office business in Wash
ington is made public by the secretary of
the interior. Statement of earnings,
amount paid registers and receivers, and
net revenue to the United States for the
last nscal year
ceivcr, $S.0i7; amount paid to register and re.
ceiver, 5000; amount received as homestead
and timber culture fees, $3.50
Seattle--Earnings OF register and receiver,
$4s.76O; amount paid to register and receiver,
$500; amount received as homestead and tim
Der culture fees, $i406n
Spokane Falls-Earnings OF register and re-
ceiver, $E.Sl7; amount paid register and re-
cciver, 5000: amount received as homestead
and timber culture fees $3.50.
Eancouyer-EarniDgs of register and receiver,
$685. amount paid TO register aod receiver,
$4,000; amount received homestead and tim
Der culture fees, $3.50.
Walla Walla-Earnings of register and receiver,
ssl5i: amount paid TO register and receiver,
5000; amount received as homestead and tim
Der culture fees, ESQ.
Total for state-Earnngs OF registers and re-
ceivers, SOL ,46s: amount paid to registers and
receivers, $4,000; net revenue to United states,
ST. ,4tsl: amount received as homestead and tim
Der culture fees, S3l SO; total revenue to United
States, 1902, $685.
new land districts of Olympia and Water
vile.
incidentally it can be said that Wash
ington returns the largest land office bust
ness of any state or territory, and Seattle
land district More than this, Seattle did
almost twice the business of the best of
the other districts in the country, only
two districts, Denver, in Colorado, and
Oregon City alone returning half as much
money as the star city on Puget sound.
The surveyor general says that he should
have at least $I2 900 for clerk hire to keep
up the regular office work and to bring up
arrears of work. For incidental expenses
he wants 5000.