The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-16
Closing The Century.

The opening of the last year of the
nineteenth century promises to be I'M
der the most auspicinus circumstances
throughout the United States, but par
ticularly so in the Pacific Northwest.
1t has been many years since we could
look back over a year and review ITS
progress with as great satisfaction as
is possible with 1898. 1t has been a
year of abundant crops and good val
ues with the farmers. A wheat crop
of 100000 bushels, over half OF
which was produced 10 Washington,
will bring into the Northwest from
ST., 100000 to $2O,OOO,OO0, besides
home consumption. WashiI gion's
fruit crop has been worth several mil
lions, 1000 carloads of apples shipped
east has brought to growers over $780,
OOO besides the amount going to the
railroads; 100000 pounds of dried
prunes were worth a quarter million
and the heavy shipments of green
prunes, berries and small fruits, be-
sides home consumption realized a
profit to growers; our 81 500 bales of
hops were worth million; the hay
crop, while not exported largely, can
be reckoned at $5,OOO,OOO to $6,0O0,-
900; the wool clip of 100000 pounds
produced good revenues in addition to
hundreds of carloads of livestock sent
out Of the state and from 100000 to
$4,000 produced from the output Of
creameries. Oats and barley we're
worth over 100000 to growers. In
fact, with abundant crops of potatoes,
vegetables, the surplus of poultry. and
other attendants, it is doubtful if any
agricultural state in the Union can
show so great a surplus or more pros
porous condition with agriculture of
kinds.
Turning to manufacture, we find
equally promising conditions. Our
mills have made approximately Co.,
100000 feet of lumber and 100000
600 shingles and various timber pro-
auctions have not fallen short of adj
ding 100000 to the states wealth
this year. Demands are constantly
increasing for our lumber and shingles
particularly at eastern points, where
car builders, contractors and archi-
tects give substantial recognition to
the merits of our fir as an unequalled
lumber product, and every year sees
growth Of favor for red cedar shingles,
sash, doors and fnishings. Investors
are realizing the value Of stading tim
Der. They are commencing to want
it, and one of the greatest natural re-
sources of the state is enhancing in
value steadily and surely.
From cities and towns throughout
the entire state of Washington comes
the same story of business houses and
residences fully occupied, and an era
of new building has been inaugurated
to care for increased population. Real
esta tie has recognized value with ad-
vances upon stable basis and lack
ing the usual attendant elements of
speculation.
Expansion in commerce is not sur
prlsing under these favorable condi-
tons, but that is factor, which of it.
self is sufficient to afford interest and
as to the future position of
the northwest Pacific coast. The mar
atime trade of Tacoma, as the princi-
pal seaport is good example of the
growth in this direction, while other
ports are expanding in satisfactory
ratio. Tacoma exported during De-
cember 81 1927 $40 worth of products,
bringing total exports for eleven
months to $12,299,O22. During the
first week of December two Oriental
cargoes have cleared with over a. half
dollars worth of merchandise.
with wheat, coal and lumber cargoes
OF S2OOAOO more. The total for the
year will be very close to $15,OOO,OOO.
Last year, when the total exports
reached $S,500,00O the record was con-
sldered phenomenal one. Our 10.
sltlon, from all points of view certain
iyl Is most encouraging one, and
there is every reason for expecting
that the year 1899 will witness a con-
tlnuation o. the splendid record of
1S9S.-W. C Trade.