The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-29
OUR RIVERS AND HARBORS.
Senator Squire's Recent Statement b
fore the House Committee.

Senator SQuire's Recent Statement Be-
fore the House Committee.
Washington City, March 2o.-Special.-
Senator Sources recent arguments before
the river and harbor committee OF the
house were confined. for Lack OF time. 10
the Lake Washington canal improv sr1eht,
the deepening of the channel or tho CoiuHi-
bia river from the mouth or the Wiiam-
cite to Vancouver, and the beginning OF
the work Of constructing Jetties az .ne
entrance to Gray's harbor. as recommends
ed by Can't. Symons In his last annual re-
port. Other improvements throughout the
state will be taken up by other members
of the delegation tomorrow. to which time
the hearing has been adjourned.
The senator prefaced his remarks VITA
a few words about the scarcity OF appro-
priations which had been MADE TOT WASH
ington during Its entire history. our
friends in Oregon looked after US little,
he said. "but after We became state IL
took two years to get surveys ana We are
in consequence very much pen'nu.
would like, first Of all, to call your atten-
ton to Puget Sound, or. as II Is sometimes
called, the Mediterranean OF the Pacific
OF the greatest importance are the los-
gine interests. / think it no exaggera-
ton to say that there are over 4oo.ooooU
feet Of standing timber. mainly what IS
known in the worlds markets as oregon
pine, but It should properly be called
Washington fir"
The senator then concisely stated the
many important industries OF the broad
commonwealth. forgetting nothing IN tne
remotest counties. In taking up the mat
ter of harbor improvements. he began
with the Lake Washington canal. setting
forth the many advantages to be derived
from its construction, which were listened
TO with great attention by the commit
tee.
The work of the King county commits
sioners in condemnation OF land 10 Sc,
cure the right-of-way was related. as wen
as the result Of the cadastral survey.
which was approved by the secretary OF
war. 1.-THE engineers" said Senator
SQUIRE. decided that the sum available
was not sufficient to begin the work ana
that they should wait an appropriation by
the present congress"
IT understand that this IL new pro-
1ect," interrupted Chairman Hooker.
mot at ALL" replied Senator Squire
who then explained the situation.
But It will take long time to obtain
the right-of-way by condemnation suits,
said Mr. Hooker.
Senator Wilson hero stated that the
United States supreme court had decided
within the last few days that one sun OF
condemnation would do for ell, as was
OF the Spokane army post
Senator Squire then presented the me-
mortal OF the Seattle Chamber of Com
merce and urged an appropriation OF $ooo.-
900 for the canal.
Chairman Hooker continued his inter-
ruptions. evidently trying TO impress the
other members of the committee that
there was no need of making the appro-
priation this session of congress, because
the right-of- way would not be obtained In
time TO make use of the proposed appro-
priation.
Both Senators Squire and Wilson con-
troverted this and pointed out that II
might be possible with diligent work to
complete the condemnation proceedings
and secure the right-of-way within the
next few months or even less.
Senator SQUIRE then went on to show the
many great advantages to be derived from
the construction of the canal. especially TO
commerce, in furnishing magnificent
fresh water harbor calling attention TO
the puhlic-spirited feeling that existed IN
Seattle. saying that no citizen objected TO
the taxation that was necessary 10 Sc
cure the right-of-way.
I'VE simply ask" continued the sena-
tor. that a fair and reasonable appro-
priation be given to carry on TINS erea,
work, not a paitry $4,000 but enough TO
make a beginning. continuing the same
condition respecting the right-of+way
Many questions were asked by members
~ the committee. In answering which
Senator Squire frequently received the
volunteer aid OF other members OF the
DELEGATION and OF the three or four mem
bers of the committee who have visited
Puget sound, all of whom exhibited by
their remarks their appreciation or the
canal project and its value not only 10 the
city OF Seattle but also 10 commerce and
10 the naval establishment OF the 6ov-
ernrent All agreed that the subject vas
Thoroughly understood. and Senator Squire
passed to other improvements
The next project taken up was the con-
tinuation Of the construction OF the dam
in the Columbia river from the oregon
shore to the head OF Shaw's island ana
tho necessary dredging 10 deepen the
channel along the Washington shore so as
20 enable the saagoing vessels 10 reach
the y-harves of the city OF Vancouver.
Mr Hermann, OF the committee. asked IL
that was not new project, which was
stoutly refuted by the senator. who was
armed with the report OF the army ensf-
nser recently made. and showed that IL
was simply continuing work. which. as
originally planned by the government en-
riueers natural conditions had proven
vas insufficient
Mr. Hermann asked the senator II he be-
ucwe6 that the work could ever be made
successful SO long as the cid breasNater
was continued. declaring that il was too
nearly at right angles to the current OF
the Columbia. which il would never be
able to withstand In high water. All the
washington members got out their maps
and reports and the committee resolved
Itself into sort OF social gathering. with
the result that IN shout FIVE minutes every
member OF the committee had had indl-
viduaiiy explained TO him that the high
water OF year ago In the Columbia had
NOT injured the engineering work. but had
cut away the head OF the island and made
q deeper channel than ever between ths
.ks kaal Il