The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-30
TOIMPROVE THERIVER
Government Engineers Favor
Okanogan Navigation.
HOW TO GET AN APPROPRIATION
senator Squire Gives some Hints on
the Methods of Con9ress-io
speak on Nicaragua Canal

The IMPROVEMENT OF tae Ogznozan riyer
80 as 10 make IL nsv.gable. vas the prlh-
ctpaI topic os discussion a. the meeting
az the trustees CT the Chamber o. ON
rnerce yesterday. senator watson -
sauire xas present, and H15fnlttea q Asl-
Ter ne had received from oeeie "a -
War Daniel 8. Lamont. showing t9e pro-
rreas Of the work already Done BY the
engineering department. The leites ifoli
Secretary Lamont II dated ociooer -
1856. and IL a. folowss
sRegiyfng 10 your reference o. fesoia-
lion OF the Seattle Chamber OF commerce
relative 10 the Improvement OF the OkAh-
ogan river washington. you are respect
fully informed that the chpef OF engineers
"a whom the papers in the case we're re-
ferred, reported under date OF me l-ia
inst, a. follows:
"A preliminary examination OF o&ano-
gan river was provided for ~ the river
and harDor act Of August II. 1894. and the
report OF the results OF the examination
was made by Capt. I. W. Symons. corps
Of engineers January !, 1898. The report
OF Capt 9ymons vas transmitted Dy the
secretary OF var, January 2. 70 the speak
or OF the house OF representatives ana u
Is printed in house executive document
No ass. Ffsty-third congress. third ses-
stou feopy herewith. Congress has not
made an appropriation for improving tnis
In his report 10 the secretary Of war.
Thomas Lincoln Casey. brigsdier genera.
chief Of engineers, says II is the opinion
OF Capt. symons, concurred IN by the IL
viston engineer. Col. G.; II. Mendei. corps
OF engineers. and by his office. that the
okanogsn river Is worthy Of Improvement
nv the general government. II Is also 60
.imated that a survey OF the river on
which 70 base a project for IFS improve
snent will cost $1,000
How To Get an Appropriation.
Senator Squire. addressing tho chamber
on the matter Of securing appropriations
from congress for internal improvements.
said there was a good deal Of lack OF
knowledge on the part Of the people as %
now these appropriations we're ootalnel-
.sThere Is an impression he said. "that
all they have TO d Is TO esH Tor an I'M
proyement 20 be made, and that upon tneir
Abatement OF the case there ought TO be
legislation and On appropriation. want
TO make that point clear. Ordinarily wnen
some Improvement is called for aaa rec
commended by some competent aaihorlty.
outside OF the war department~oy THIS
body, for instance-it il brought 10 the al
tentIon OF congress. Then congress VIII
sometimes order o preliminary examina-
lion. ard sometimes n survey and estimate
OF cost: the preliminary exsmiaiii -
the lightest as regards expense. The OIL
clAls VIII determine whether there Il any
CONNIE rciaI necessity for the improve"
nent, aud II 81 is practical After TIE pre-
nmlnary examination - made. nothing
can be done by congress for two years,
nntll the next river and haroor bin comes
up; then comes the appropriation,
Improvement OF the sSagit.
A memorial from the citizens of Skagit
county 10 congress was received by ths
chamber for Endorsement. asking for an
appropriation for the Improvement OF the
Skagit river. 80 as 10 prevent damaging
overfiows \ resolution was passed stat
ing that &c was the sense or the Chamber
OF Commerce that the matters contained
in the memorial were matters or public
interest and committee OF three was
appointed 10 draft A memorial on the part
OF the chamber 10 congress. to accompany
the memorial from the Skagit people. In
this connection. Senator Squire said n
great many people supposed that congress
could take action to prevent disasters
caused by the overfiows Of streams. The
people along the rivers. such as the White
and Skagit suffer much damage from the
floods. and they think that congress can
give them relief But congress does not
consider that ~ has the authority, the
right. TO provide for relief from overfiows.
II puts iss legislation on the ground of tho
commercial necessities Of the people.
A letter was read from Gov. ]. II. Me
Graw asking the chamber To recommend
persons who can attend an immigration
convention which Is 20 be held In s.. Paul
on November II. II was referred TO COM
rittee
To speak on Nicaragua Canal.
A resolution was passed asking Senator
Squire 10 speak az the Chamber Of Com
merce next Monday night, November Z, on
fhN Nicaragua canal. a subject which he
has given much study. Warner Miller, Of
tho canal company. has sent % Senator
Squire large map OF tho location OF the
canal. and this viii be used by the senator
81 his lecture The public is cordially In
Ni'ed - be present.
u 4 Frederick. who has Just returned
from Alaska was invited 10 address the
chamber st It's meeting next Tuesday on
she subject OF trade with Alaska
The Chamber Of Commerce 81 getting re-
turns regularly n0w from Hs home indus
Try movement The Washington Wire
warks reported TINT 81 has received good
many orders from no people of the CRY
for "holnenAla goods" The Pacific Rail
tng and Plating Company has been Obliged
10 EMPLOY two extra men because OF the
increage IA orders,
". q. Williams. H3o was appointed pub,
fisher ~ the Home Industry Guide. under
ths auapiesS OF che chamber. has beer
called Eas: hy the death ~ his wife and
ale matter has been turned over - a. y
Naianev. Who B. meeting With hearty re-
sponses FROM merchants and msnufac-
surers.
In frt,ra Humanity In Anfrn.ts