The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-20
PROPOSED NEW LAWS.
Conference of Legislators and
Seattle Citizens.
THE STATE At THE WORLDS FAIR
Methods OF Disseminating Facts - to
Washington's kesources-The Right
Of Eminent Domain.

A large number Of citizens availed them
selves of the opportunity to meet members
of the legislature yesterday in the Cham.
Der of Commerce President Graves an
nounced that the meeting was not one Of
the chamber. but he cordially extended
the inequalities of that body to the legis-
lators and to their constituents DESTROYS Of
meeting them. He presumed that 1t was
an informal gathering for the purpose Of
exchanging views BY general consent
Mr.. Graves was invited to preside. and
later, as he had to leave, Vice President
Prosch took his place. There were pres
sent also Senators f. H. Richards. Trusten
7. Dyer, w. II. Forrest, Representatives
w. =. McEiwain. L. II. Wheeler, J. S.
Sallee. W. P. Winchell and Edmond S.
Meany. Among the citizens were Judge
Thomas Burke. Hon. J. J. McGilvra, John
Leary. Louis Schoenfeld, J. w. elise. J.
A. Moore. d. b. Ward. Daniel Jones,
Jesse W. George. Lee J. Pitner, c. A. Gay,
Hans Peterson. H. F. Whitney, ]. +.
Ennis. W. f. Boone, E. Sheahan, J. q.
WEIGH. John Ross, George Donworth.
The first subject taken up was the pro-
posal to appropriate from state funds
$1,000 to 100000 for the purpose of cir
culating information concerning the re-
sources Of Washington among visitors to
the Worlds fair. Mr.. Graves explained
that some Misrepresentation had arisen on
the subject because three separate PROPOSE
tons had been made which had no actual
connection. One was the special publica-
ton of facts and statistics concerning the
state to be issued in time for distribution
at Chicago, and which was for temporary
use. Another was the institution of .
permanent bureau of statistics and infor-
formation and contemplated by the con-
stitutiOn, which would be branch of the
department of state. Still third was q
bureau of labor statistics advocated by in
dustrial organizations. Each had a dis
tinct purpose. and while he favored tho
labor bureau he did not see that tbe others
antagonized it.
Darrell Jones, on behalf of the citizens
committee, explained the scope of the
work of disseminating literature concern
ing the state at the exposition. He said
Washington would have such an oppor-
tunity then as she never could get again.
and it would be wise economy to take
advantage of it. Many Eastern cities
were spending Sc. 900 for the purpose, and
the state of Washington should not be be-
hindhand.
Representative Meany explained that
there remained but two months in which
to do all that work, and it was absolutely
impossible to collect the necessary infor-
nation and data. He said that this same
work had been taken up by him for the
Worlds fair commission of this state
about a year ago, and the work, though it
has been tedious in the extreme, is now
about completed. The book when printed
would be illustrated and full of accurate
and tabulated information as we'll as en-
Pertaining and reliable historical features,
the latter now being prepared by Hon. Ell
wood Evans. president of the State His
torical Society. As an illustration of the
difficulty of procuring information. Mr..
Msany related that the volunteer gatherer
of statistics in Okanogan, on his way
home on horseback. slipped down the side
of a mountain and lost his horse and all
his books containing data.
ID. b. Ward said the gathering of sta
tistics seemed to have been as fully carried
out as it could be in the time; and the
subject was then dropped, tho citizens
concurring in the view that instead of
making an appropriation as asked the
printing of the book should be done by
the state printer at state cost for free dis
tribution.
J. p. Ennis addressed the meeting
against the proposed publication, as it
would only result in bringing a lot more
people to the state. His idea was that the
state should build a mint and. as it was
unconstitutional to coin money, use silver
mined in the state to coin "souyenirs'
with which workingmen should be paid
for their work. He did not explain what
workingmen wanted with souvenirs" or
how they were to buy clothes and food;
but was proceeding to dilate on free coin
age when NJ. Graves politely reminded
him the gathering was for the purpose of
discussing practicable measures. Ennis
thought his plan quite practicable, but
sat down.
The subject Of the exercise of the power
of eminent domain by the city was then
brought up by Mr.. McGilvra. who crit