The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-10-17
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The receipt OF this telegram by Mr..
Graves yesterday settles a matter that.
since the recent visit OF Col. Rogers. Col.
Hasbrouck and Capt. Miller, constituting
board OF army officers 70 report a dis
tribution OF forces. has been a matter or
uncertainty. While the artillery board
was in the city IL WAS inferred from re-
marks dropped al the time that they would
recommend a segregation OF the forces.
both artillery and infantry. among the va
rious posts now in course Of construction
or projected for Puget. sound.
This Information came as a shock 10
those whose loyalty 10 the undertaking OF
securing a regimental post at Magnolia
biuff had led to such promising returns
from the various departments and high
officials of the government az Washington.
The result OF the unsatisfactory i'm
preston which the board left led President
L. o. Graves. or the Chamber of Com
merce. 10 address Secretary Alger on the
subject and on the eth inst. a long and
comprehensive representation OF the stu
alton was forwarded 70 the war depart
ment. Mr.. Graves reviewed the efforts OF
the citizens of Seattle during the past
three years and the compliance with the
terms imposed by the government in the
securing Of the site
II not an actual promise. the impression
was allowed to prevail that the army post
at Magnolia bluff contemplated the estah-
lishment of a regiment, and the demands
OF the government. far in excess of the
needs for four or six company post con-
trmed the belief that the station was 10
be a regimental one The disappointment
that the citizens felt at threatened
change In plans was fully set out. Mr..
Graves stated that the artillery board had
suggested a modification of the plans.
change in the number and substantially
OF the proposed buildings. which, he re-
minded the war department. was not upon
the lines anticipated. lie stated that 6il 81
acres of upland. 3366s acres of tide land
and 1215 acres of roadways had been Sc
cured for a regimental post that should be
the basis of operations and supplies for the
whole Puget sound district. and from
which all other fertilization matters should
be directed. Had not such been the idea
Of the citizens. Mr.. Graves assured the
secretary of war. no such amount OF prop
erty-990.21 acres-would have been Sc
cured. and the money which had been
raised. SIS 600 10 carry on the work and
give the government a clear title would
not have been so generously given. mere
was no uncertainty In Mr.. Graves letter.
and the response which ii brought is in
such set terms that there is no longer
doubt that the post will be that for the
eventual use OF a regiment.
Secretary Ayers telegram came al
most opp0rtune time, as ii was only yes
terday morning that the abstract OF the
entire property. together with Judge
Drinkers opinion. was forwarded by ex-
press TO the office of the attorney general
at Washington.
All has now been done in accordance
with governmental requirements. and the
only thing in connection with the military
proposition that remains is a widening of
the road by condemnation proceedings,
which was proposed by the army post land
committee of the Chamber OF Commerce.