The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-15
THE PORT ORCHARD DOCK.
Immediate Appropriation to BE Ad-
vised-" ashington Federal Buildings.

WASHINGTON CITY, Aug 1S-[Speciai 1.-The
officials OF the executive department are already
making up the estimates OF expenditures which
Will be necessary in the next fiscal year These
estimates are by custom submitted to the seere-
tsry OF the treasury by September, who. in turn,
sends them to congress the opening day of
the session in December. 1t can be seen, there
fore, that one fiscal year hardly opens before the
executive officials are nlakiug provision for the
next, 50 far as they can, congress. OF course, be
ing the final aTbiteT in the matter OF appropria-
tlons. As IN the past, il is pretty difficult 10
find much of direct local interest to Washington,
even with careful inquiries, but it can be said.
and ii is noticeable, that there Il Il gradual i'm
proyement in this respect, and with the politi-
cal and legislative power now welded by the
state the local fiscal recommendations must
continue 70 grow both i'll number and amount.
One OF the most important estimates for the
Northwest, which is 10 be submitted to the secre-
tary OF the treasury for transmission to congress-
will come from the navy department IL is that
for the completion OF the proposed dry dock on
Puget sound. The naval officers look upon this
as one OF the essential appropriations required
for this branch OF the service. As is well known
this government is way behind the British au-
thorities in making proper military and naval
provision in the North Pacific territory, and it
will be urged that IL is time for q to be up and
doing. To complete this dry dock there is still
required S5O0gO0. Congress Will be informed
that on the score Of economy as well as the
speedy completion of the work, il is advisable to
have all the money required in hand, as in this
way the most advantageous contracts can be Sc
cured. BY the original act the cost of this great
work is limited to $700,G99, Of whch amount
there has already been appropriated $4,000,
not counting the 5000 allowed fo- the acquIsi
ton OF the necessary land. 1t may not be amiss
TO recall that thjs dock is intended for CONNER
cial as well naval purposes, and will be of
sufficient dimensions ID accommodate the larg-
estvessels, or Go feet in length and 20 feet width
at the bottom Of entrance, ald so constructed as
to admit ships drawing thirty feet Of water.
Unfortunately, owing to the failure OF congress
TO take action last winter, there VIII BE- esti-
mates submitted for any public building in
Washington. Before the secretary can call upon
congress for this purpose il is indispensable that
the legislative branch should first authorize tie
expenditure desired. Public buildings, il is
well known, are greatly needed in the larger
cities OF the state for the efficient transaction of
the government business and to afford proper
facilities for citizens having business there
with, and it is more than probable that congress
viii authorize their erection next session, but
until il does, stated, they cannot be included
among the estimates, no matter how necessary.
The lighthouse board is bent upon having the
coast of Washington properly lighted, so as To
afford every facility for safe navigation. As a
result, they will urge that adequate apprOpriG-
some years since congress allowed $1,000 for
the erection OF a small harbor light at Gray's
Harbor, but the board has repeatedly said
officially that the requirements of commerce
would not he met by such an Improvement In
consequence the department will ask for the
additional sum OF $60.19l. making $4,000 in all,
10 put in operation first order coast light,
which win be Of general well a. local service.
This is one OF the allowances which the board
VIII mark as necessary
Next in order, as well as in the amount in
volved, and which the board will also declare
10 be necessary as against the more general
recommendation of Desirable is the first order
light proposed for North Head, Cape Disap-
pointnent This will COS. 5000
The importance OF these two appropriations 70
the commercial interests Of the entire North
west can be realized from the statement that
with these two lights in operation the entire
Pacific coast viii be well supplied with lights
OF the first order from Cape Fiattery 10 Tiila-
nook rock.
The board will also mark as necessary an
allowance OF $1,000 to change the location OF
the fog signal al Cape Flattery to West island
where il IS said. ii can De heard much more
distinctly by passing vessels.
Under special act Of congress the chief Of
engineers IS not required TO submit his esti-
mates for river and harbor improv eInents ungl
the first OF October. but his oftice is already at
work thereon. The Pacific coast, however, has
not been reached. Il can lie said, though, on
authority, that these estimates viii De tor liberal
amounts; the engineers department holding
that a. no river and harbor bill was passed last
session, congress, in the interest Of this class of
public works, should incline 10 libsra.ity the
coming winter.