The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-22
AFRAID TO SHOW IT.
CAPT. CLARK-s ROSY REPORT ON
LAKE WASHINGTON CANAL
IL Made Public IL wsalA Undaly En-
nance Property In Seattle and
UncIe Sam Could Not Bay-Morans

Special Disr3fc6 10 the Po<,-tlIesitgercer.
WASHINGTON. Sept 1.-THE report CT
Capt. Clark IN regard TO the use Of Lake
Washington as a basin has created cuits
stir a. tina navy department Probably
IL would have been pigsonhoied In the
usual naznar without any particular at
tsntioa being paid 10 IL. so far as the pub
lie would have known, until one or the
senator's or congressman had called for IL
BY the usual method of q public resolu-
ten after congress had convened, had
not your correspondent asked 10 see IL
The first Day he called neither Secretary
Long nor Assistant Secretary Roosevelt
were II the city.
Chief Clerk Peters. who was In charge,
positively refused to permit the repor, 70
leave his hands until II had been sub
u1ftted eithsr 70 the secretary or 70 his
assistant
at do not bsaeve," said Mr.. Peters. 'Tn
publishing these or any reports where the
public VIII DO misled into believing that
any work Of q large nature IL going 10 Be
done by the government In any section,
thereby stimulating the real estate men TO
activity, and possibly footing 20 per cent
Of the public into making wild invest
msnts for the benefit OF few. In this
particular case the possibility Of anything
being done toward making Lake Wash
ington . fresh-water harbor for naval
vessels - so remote that nothing should
be said unless an explanation Is added
that no appropriation II available to do
anything OF the kind. and that ii would
be next to impossible to get congress to
make one"
Mr.. Peters further said that the sug-
gestion regarding the use OF Lake WASH
ington In this connection did not origin
ate with the department.. but came to 1t
from the Seattle Chamber OF Commerce.
The matter was simply referred to Capt.
Clark for examination and report. and
the chief clark said he felt that q much
more elaborate report was made than
was anticipated.
From further conversation with Mr.
Peters ii as easy to infer that Capt.
Clark, upon examining into the matter,
had become very enthusiastic; had made
an extensive report, and possibly also
had made some decided Recommendations.
When Secretary Roosevelt returned,
his consent was asked Tor the
publication Of the report He did not at
first see any reason why it should not be
given to the public, and sent Instructions
10 the chief clerk to permit copy 10 be
taken unless 1t was matter not subject
for publication"
This, of course, placed the responsible
ity with the chief clerk. who Immediately
took the papers 10 Acting Secretary
Roosevelt In order that the latter might
determine whether II was proper for pub
hcation or not. After careful perusai CT
the report Mr.. Roosevelt decided that IL
was not proper matter for pu6lica1on
since IL had not yet been submitted TO the
chief of the bureau OF navigation, by
whom il ought first TO be considered
In the ordinary course OF events IL Will
take about three months before the CHIEF
of the bureau of navigation gets around
10 full and careful consideration" or
matter which already has become or SO
grave importance. In the meantime Act
ing Secretary Roosevelt declined to give
even the purport of IL or permit 10 De
seen the charts which have been prepared
and submitted with and made part or
the report
When Secretary long returns en- ap-
peal VIII be made TO him TO permit pup
LEGATION. Still another official OF the
navy department, whose name for oevi-
Gus reasons cannot be given, volunteered
the information that the report viii be
considered confidential by the department
and that even Secretary Long win not
give Il out, for the reason that It's publ
cation would tend TO enhance the value
OF property around Lake Washington SO
that the government could not purchase
II. He also stated that there is still an
supplemental one asked for by the secrs-
tary In regard TO certain important points
not covered by the captain In his flrst re-
port.
So far as the comments made by Chief
Clark Peters that no appropriation 10
available and that II would be next TO I'M
possible TO get congress to make one, are
concerned, II may be said that there Is
the strongest probability that the next
N,ffI rz{n a
vision for the starting % this work. The
mater was first preached only short
zine before the close Of the last session.
but quite a number OF senator's ana MEM
hers spoke favorsbly upon Il. These had
become familiar with the location OF Lake
Washington through the efforts OF the
senator's and members from the state OF
washington 70 obtain appropriations for
ne construction OF the waterway from
puget sound 20 the lake. to which protec'
ths government has aIreary committed u
SELF nv various reports OF engineers and
hy appropriations in the last TWO river and
harbnr hills Senator Wilson stated just
hnfo~s ha loft for the vest that the project
o,as IN better shane than ever before, and
.baf the otrs.als oS the navy department
seemed 10 o. n earnest In their desire 20
construct a Tlsesh water naroor on the IA
~lse coast. certainly" he d, the de-
fresh water harsor or dredging one out
,xben so magnificent a one can be nad
by, the building Of this Waterway
The seaboard Of August Is. "a Repre-
eertaffve Journal Of the Shipping Inter
ISIS Of America" IN prominent editorial
makes very favorable mention OF Moran
Rros.. Of Seaf5le. as the only steel ship
builders on Puget Sound, and comments
an the fleet that the Moran Bros are con-
alructing a. the present time for com
rsuIes engaged in the Alaskan trade
Further favorable comment ID made upon
IRE laws allowing only American con
ztructes vessels 20 engage in our domestic
tTade.
A request to the United States Civil
Service Commission for a llst. for pub4gca-
zion. % ths l.Ames Of those who passed
tb.s customs examination a. Port Town
send IN Aprl last. met with d courteous
refusal The Informs ion was given. how
ever, that the marking Of the papers %
shfs K~- ~Fps7 NaA rot bNau ,~rs~ys-