The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-16
THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

SEATTLE, July 10, lo9L
To THE EDITOR: Although the PosT -INTELLI-
GENcER has opposed the geological survey feel
that upon proper presentation of all the facts
concerning its Importance, inasmuch as IL Ii the
best measure toward forming the first step in
bringing our immense resources to the attention
of capitalists and investors, in view of these
facts feel justified in the hope that the repre-
sentative Republican journal of the state OF
Washington will fall in line toward encourag-
ing aud demanding the continuance Of the geo.
logical survey.
The first movements in the right direction
were made several weeks ago when the Seattle
mining exchange Endorsed the action of the
mining bureau. The next step in the same di-
reetion was taken by the Spokane mining ex-
change and Chamber of Commerce, who both in
dorssd the actions OF the mining bureau. The
Kettle Falls Pioneer and the Colville Miner both
contained strong pleas in favor Of 1t; so had the
Spokane Chronicle, the Tacoma Ledger and the
Olympia Tribune. The Seattle Telegraph, while
not sspousing any direct view, gave the measure
its moral support, and many disinterested citi-
Gems have realized its importance and regret that
the work so well begun had to be discontinued.
i have received, and 20 have others,
many letters of inquiries In regard to
our mining districts, and in almost every
instance, regret was manifested, and even In
dignation, that movement so well calculated
to inaugurats q new area in tina amount of our
should be allowed to be abandoned. Many of
the interests involved outside of the mining ele-
ments have also signifed that they are no
longer in harmony with the suicidal policy
which throttles the best interests OF our state.
At this critical time, especially when 1t has
become manifest that real estate booIhs alone
will not be sufficient 10 induce investors and
capitalists to part with their cash. it is most es-
sentiai that we should be in position to show
that we are in dead earnest towards ENCOURAGING
ali legitimate enterprises, and that the state
itself will take the initial step by doing all in its
power to convince newcomers of the confidence
IL feels III Its own resources. Will not every
mining owner suffer when he endeavors to bring
about sale OF his property when he is con-
fronted with the question: "Why, my dear sir,
the state itself seems to have no confidence in
the permaney OF your mines, it has refused pay
ment to its employees of the mining bureau, it
has stigmatized them as frauds; how can you
expect us 10 have much faith?" These and
other questions come up, and place every one
who has mining interests for sale or to develop
in ridiculous position.
In conversation with a prominent Northern
Pacific railroad Official was told that their
company would be only too glad TO print $4,000
| copies OF our maps and reports at their own ex-
| pense for distribution throughout the East.
| This and what might be done during the Worlds
| fair should be well considered
California and Colorado today would be COM
| parative wilderness but for their mines and the
great plains would be still large desert instead
| of the garden spot of the world. In every issue
| of the PosT-INTELLIGENCER and other represent
alive journals we see articles of new discoveries
in the Silver creek district and other localities
| and where there is SO much smoke there must
| be some fire. had already received orders to
| make my next field of operation on silver creek,
when was recalled, and am indeed sorry that
the miners OF King ana other counties must
1 longer will ha
| done towards assisting them by an official re-
port, which is most essential as matter of ref
erenee with Eastern investors, before any one of
| them will send an expert for further investi-
| cation.
The secretary of the mining exchange in spo.
kane informs me that since the Inauguration of
| this movement there has been such marked
increase in inquiries from all over the Union
that he cannot help but attribute this change en-
| tirely TO the impetus mining interests have re-
| ceived from this survey.
| AS far as Stevens county is concerned, IL will
| some day astonish the world Its mines lay In
| the same formation as the celebrated Cnur
| d'Alene and Kootenay Mines and its mountains
are continuation of the Rocky mountains and
| the Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico SO
famous for their production.
| Washington is hardly known anywhere as a
mineral producing country, except in the mat
ter of coal. All that outsiders know of this
state is that ii is one vast, almost impenetrable
| forest; and this fact alone 10 sufficient to sx-
| plain why our mining resources have remained
undeveloped, because the veins, as a rule are
not exposed as in other localities. but are gener-
ally covered with brush, underground and soil,
and therefore mines are hard OF access aud not
easily found.
The survey so far has resulted in at least one
discovery which cannot be bought today tor less
than s2OO,Ooo aud the probabilities that this
same mine may produce from s., 00o,OoO to So
ooo,oo0 before many years
IL does not seem reasonable that the state
should be compelled 10 wait two years for the con.
nnuance OF this survey, when We almost surely
know that We depriyiug the state and its
citizens OF 8 circulating medium amounting to
many million dollars per year, not to mention
the results IL will have upon the value of all
| property in the state, upon the market IL will
oEen Tor ell farm ana other products and Tor all
klnds OF industries.
In conclusion, say that Washington contains
more variety of natural products and resources
than any other state in the Union and is able 10
support a. dense population az France or Ger
many. BY depicting our forests we make the
country poorer, but by the development of our
! mines the settlement OF all our unoceupied
lands with thrifty aud industrious population,
We grow important, rich ana prosperou.
PAUL RrEcKER