The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-05
Chamber of Commerce Will Petit
ton Navy Department.
MORAN'S SUGGESTIVE LETTER.
Discussion of the Thirteenth Light
house Characterization Aids to
Observation-Disclosures Charts need
Revising and Suppleme n tinG-Se-
attic Army Post-NlcElro Good
Word-A Letter From Lewis.

In communication addressed 10 the
Ch.:-s,her OF Commerce and brought up at
the meeting of the board of trustees at
yesterdays meeting. the Moran Bros Com
paily. builders of the torpedo boat Rowan.
urged upon the chamber the subject OF
again applying 10 the navy department for
the retention of the war vessel upon the
waters OF Puget sound.
The letter set forth that the armament
and torpedoes for the Rowan's equipment
are now at Mare island navy yard. and II
was represented that they could he as cas-
lily transported from San Francisco TO Sc
attic as the vessel could be delivered inside
the Golden Gate.
A pronounced change In conditions since
the navy department denied the previous
request has been brought about by the war
and the Morsns expressed the belief that
the claims OF Puget sound would now be-
recognized II the ch2s.s.ecr took the matter
III with the Washington delegation in
congress. From the position that has been
taken in the past relative 10 the permanent
retention Of the first vessel Of the navy
built on Puget sound. the chamber decided
10 petition the navy department once more
through the Washington senators and ccn-
greSsmen. and with the idea of presenting
the claims OF the Northwest for additional
protection. Secretary Ling was Instructed
to address the delegation as suggested
Mr.. Ling introduced the subject of divi-
sion Of the Thirteenth lighthouse district.
President Graves stated that In his opin-
ion of the details OF the lighthouse tenders
Manzanita and Columbia. were snch that
any movement at the present time would
be unprolitic OF results. C.. ]. Smith in
connection with n discussion of the sub
iect took up the matter OF aids to naviga-
ton which the coast of Alaska is decidedly
lacking In. Mr.. Smith said that the charts
OF the coast and geodetic survey are incom-
plete and In many instances inaccurate. and
advocated the drawing OF the governments
attention to these facts Of error and asking
ii to have them remedied.
There are few lights In the lighthouse
department of that section of Alaska. as
signed to the Thirteenth district. and the
rest of the aids 10 navigation consist nrin-
cipslIy of a few buoys With the increase
OF traffic with the north the amount of
tonnage engaged in trade Is entitled 10
greater protection. Mr.. Smith cited the
case OF the Corona. which ran on rock
where seven fathomS OF water were shown
on the chart. At the request of the cham
her. Mr. Smith agreed to secure the neces-
sary informa ton from the captains Of ves-
ssIs engaged In Alaskan business which,
will be put in the shape of memorial 10
be forwarded to the proper department In
Washington. through the members of the
Washington delegation. The chamber will
indorse a movement looking TO an Increase
of the aids to navigation in the waters
along the Alaskan coast and the Canadian
government will be asked to join with the
United States In making a survey Of the
routes TO the towns of Alaska and provid-
ing an adequate system OF protection TO
mariners
Upon motion OF Mr.. elise the chamber
decided to ask the war department to make
a part OF the war appropriation applicable
to the establishment of the battery Mt Mag
nolia Bluff. The fine work I'm connection
with condemnation proceedings for the
route of the Lake Washington canal of
Prosecuting Attorney James r. McEIroy
was recognized by a motion. and Mr.. Me-
Eiroy will be the recipient OF letter com
piimenting him and asking him now that
the route has been selected by Shilshole
bay. TO continue the work as fast M his
other duties wiz allow him. az much OF
the appropriation IL Immediately available.
The following letter was received from
Congressman Lewis:
81 beg 10 enclose you letter sent 10 me
by the secretary of war which contains
items In response 10 my request that the
amount to be given TO the Seattle army
poet be temized.
II am happy to inform the chamber that
the Seattle assay office bin has been Or
dered 10 be pat upon the calendar and viii
be called up unless Speaker Reed declines
10 permit II for some reason. now unseen.
next Monday I am also pleased TO inform
your body that we have secured 500 coo
upon the house civil sundry appropriation
bill for lighthouse and marine service Inn
provements al Point Roberts and Point No
Point on Puget sound. and that YOUR rem
resentatives have also secured the estaA-
Iishment Of a government Ash plant ON Pu-
get sound, c0un terpart OF the one which
has been at Cedar Keys Fla. ter SOME
years. I estimate s2oe1 will be allowed at
once for this, and stis permanent eontinu-
ance will mean patronage OF $4,000
year to the Sound"
The items referred 10 by Congressman
Lewis were published In Il recent Issue OF
thu Post-Intellieencer and related TO a