The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-08

terials. for instance, pig irou has rendered it
entirely impossible for manufactures to be es-
tabiisned in these Western Cities particularly
where iron forms large part OF the manufac-
tured product. All OF these ssates are very rich
in ali OF the elements that make great state;
but we canno; make any progress in the de-
veiopmens OF these manufacturing interests un-
I'll we have cheaper transportation.
Our entire people therefore on this Coast take
the most lively interest in any action the gov
struetion OF that canal. a. our future rapid de-
velopment and prosperity depend greatly upon
tie government giving to it its aid.
Would you, therefore, present the memorial in
closed. adopted by our Chamber OF Commerce,
and urge upon the part OF your subcommittee
fayorablc report to the full committee, that
congress may have ar intelligent comprehen-
sion OF its necessity an of the benefit its con-
struction will have, as set forth in the inclosed
memorial sent to your subcommittee by our
city. By giving this request your attention, you
will very much oblige.
Accompanying the letter was the fol-
lowing memorial, adopted by the chamber
at the monthly meeting held Monday
evening:
The Chamber OF Commerce of the city OF
Seattle, Wash, representing its business and
commercial interests. would most respectfully
and earnestly call attention of your honorable
COminittes 10 t1S great importance Oh al early
com pietion OF this great waterway not only 10
this Western coast, but to our country at large.
" The question OF freight charges on the entire
Pacific coast 10 q matter of such supreme i'm
porrance to the welfare of its whole population
that In interest and amplitude it transcends all
other questions. The charges of transportation
are the determining factors on this Coast, upon
which. depend the vital question whether the
products of toll shall be uniustly and unfairly
absorbed in excessive charges of transporta-
ton. Az you well know, the only quick CON-
petitive water and rail transportation by the
way OF the isthmus, has long been IN receipt OF
an annual subsidy to charge higher rates TO this
Coast, to the end that it may be made feasible
for railroads to collect higher freights than
would otherwise be possible, if water rates
were not bribed but allowed to remain normal.
The population and commerce OF tho Pacific
coast states are rapidly increasing and expand
ing. but the strangiing Of open competition in
freight rates between these Western sources OF
production and Eastern points OF consumption
has reached such stage that 1t Is menacing
blight to our future advancement, and we can
ouly hopefully look 10 an early completion of
the Nicaragua canal to forever remove and kill
this b!ighting curse to our future progress and
prosperity.
Further, we believe persons who have never
visited these Pacific coast states have no ade-
quate conception of their present importance or
future possibilities. With climate noted for
its mildness and soil unexcelled in its ferti-
ity, inexhaustible supplies OF timber, coal, iron
and minerals of all kind, 1t needs but the CON-
pletion of this great waterway, with attendant
quick and cheap trausportion, to make these
Pacific coast states the pride OF our nation and
the wonder of the world
Again, well-informed legislators are freely ad-
vised that the trade of the Orient has been thor
oughly revolutionized within twenty-five years,
or since the opening of the Suez canal and that
the opening OF this new channel of Transporter
ton has been uu told blessing to the world in
greatly cheapening prices OF all commodities
from the East, by requiring less capital to
handle and in the much less time required to
deliver at Western points of consumption.
The Chamber of Commerce OF the city OF Seat
tie. having full knowledge of matters on this
Coast, and an abiding faith in It's future great
ness, most earnestly ana urgently ask that the
subcommittee to whom this matter of building
the Nicaragua ship canal has been referred make
a thorough and exhaustive examination as to its
cost and effects, es we feel sure, as worldwide
change, militarily, commercially and econom-
ically, will follow its completion, as did in the
case of the Suez ANAL and ultimate In en- hanc-
ing prestige and glory OF our own country and
beneftng the world at large, even more than
did that notable event.
Believing, therefore, as this chamber does, that
the very life and future prosperity OF this Coast
depend upon being quickly released from this
thraldom OF excessive freights and that our
whole country, we'll as the entire world, will
be greatly benefited by the early completion of
this great waterway, we most respectfully and
earnestly ask you to make a favorable report to
the full committee.