The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-08
AT MAGNOLIA BLUFF.
Army Post Commission Consid-
ers Its Strategic Features.
MADE ITS SURVEY FROM A TUG.
Today IL VIII Go on Horseback and
Ride All Over the Site Offered
for the Post.

The army post commission went cut yes
terday morning TO view Magnolia hluf.
ana although they are not az liberty
10 express their views until after their re-
port 10 the war department. IL was easy 10
perceive from their questions and eoaver-
sation that they were favorably impressed
with the many strategic advantages which
the position affords.
Before proceeding 10 the work 10 which
the war department has assigned them, the
members OF the conmis sion were enter
tanned at breakfast by f. o. Graves presi-
dent of the Chamber OF Commerce. at the
Rainier Club BY the time this was over
there was quite gathering OF influential
men of Seattle. all eager TO show their in
terest in the selection Of site contiguous
TO this city. and an informal reception took
place. About II o'clock the commission
started on a special Ballard car from the
foot OF Madison street.
The commission Is composed OF Col.
George II. Burton. inspector general of the
Department of the Pacific coast: Col.
George Nj. Randall OF the Eighth infan
try; Capt Crosby p. Miller. assistant quar-
termaster OF Washington City. and Capt.
Walter l.. Fisk. of the engineer corps now
stationed at Portland. Among those who
accompanied them were Mayor Phelps, L.
O. Graves, ]. 5. Goldsmith, j. W. elise,
chairman OF the site committee appointed
by the Chamber OF Commerce; Hon. John
Leary. DR.. F. w Sparkling. 5. l. Crawford.
Col Granville o. Halter, c. III. Hagan,
Lieut.. Wholley. recruiting officer of this
station, and Eugene Ricksecker. engineer
OF the government canal.
As the car was passing over the bridge
across Salmon bay Mr. Ricksecker had il
stopped and the party alighted. He then
got out his plans and explained the course
OF the canal, then pointed to Magnolia
blum and showed how from its summit the
canal could be completely protected. This
seemed to impress the commission as a
good point. as the government would
scarceiy undertake the expenditure of
some millions on canal and then leave it
totally unprotected.
Arrived at Ballard. the party boarded the
Stimson mill tug and slowly circled about
the bluff. carefully scrutinizing every
available feature of its unriyaled strategic
position Here another good point was
made. il being shown that from the bluff
the two entrances to the Port Orchard
deck yard, where the government is also
spending a great deal OF morey. could be
completely protected. As they returned
Capt Miller incidentally asked question
as to the water supply, and Hon. John
Leary explained that there were number
OF good springs on the site, but that the
city was contemplating the extension OF
its water works TO Ballard. 1t had already
been extended to Queen Anne hill, and
from there TO the bluff was an easy fall.
This explanation seemed TO set at rest any
doubt the commission might have upon
the water question.
The party returned to the city on the
Stimson tug, and today they Will take
horses and ride all over the site. carefully
studying its topographic and other feat
ures. On Monday the commission will visit
- hRRr
offered.
In the evening the members OF the COM
mission were entertained at dinner at the
Rainier Club by T.. o. Graves president OF
the Chamber of Commerce, the other gen.
tlemen present being j s. Goldsmith.
chairman OF the Chamber Of Commerce
finance committee appointed to raise the
money for the army post site; j. w. elise,
OF the site committee Of that body; Hon.
John Leary and Col. G. o. Halter,
On Monday the commission will go TO
Port Orchard. on which they are also to re-
port. In fact, its instructions extend 10
all the fortihcations and proposed forth
fications Of the Sound. The commission
has belief that it is the intention of the
government 10 thoroughly fortify the
Sound and they will visit every site that
has been recommended by the fortiheations
board. Of which Magnolia Bluff Is the most
important, as wen as all the sites offered
for the proposed army post. The members
OF the commission Will 90 10 Port Towns
end after visiting the neighborh0od Of the
government dry dock at Port Orchard,
and from Port Townsend TO Fairhaven,
where site for the army post is a4so of
fered They viii also visit Deception pass.
although there is an impression in Wash
ington City that no warships would ever
care 10 enter the Sound by that way, snd
Admiralty Head, Wilson point and Mar
rowstone point.
Col Burton. who is the senior officer Of
the commission. Is thoroughly acquainted
with the Sound. lie rebuilt Fort Towns
end In 1874 and was in command there until
1873 Since then he has several times Wis
tied the state for It's fishing and hunting.
which he considers unexcelled anywhere.
Save money on prescriptions. Gem drug