The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-06
MEANS TO SUBDUE FLOODS.
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DIS
CUsSEs ANIMAL OVERFLOW.
Suggested That Lake Warrington
Canal Plans Contemplate a Lower
Ing of the Lake Level Five Feet

A discussion Of river floods, high water
in Lake Washington, and ways and
means for relieving the semi-annual dis
tress caused by the rains Of winter and
the melting SHOWS Of early summer, fur
nished the feature OF yesterdays meet
ing Of the Chamber Of Commerce. The
topic was introduced by Mr.. C. z. Crane,
who moved that matters relating 10 the
building OF The government canal between
Salmon bay and Lakes Union and Wash
inston, ontempiaie a lowering CT the
level OF Lake Washington five feet, thus
relieving the overflow OK the banks OF
river ard creeks during high water. Mr..
Crane referred 10 the impression that ne
had obtained in riding over the Northern
Pacific. between Seattle and Sumner.
Judge McGllvra called attention 10 the
fact that congressional appropriation OF
sI5.os9 has been made TO assist In the
drainage Of the local rivers and he moved
that committee be named TO call upon
Capt. Taylor 10 see II part OF the sum
is not available for dredging at the mouth
of the Duwamish river. Mr.. Crane pro-
tested against the proposed amendment,
as he believed that Capt. Taylor favored
some action by the chamber. Mr.. Crane
further stated that he had asked City En-
gineer Thomson and the latter had con-
scented 10 address the board Of trustees
upon the subject of relief from high wa
ter whenever that body should ask him.
Mr.. Furth believed that the importance
of the subject demanded close investiga-
ton and he offered as substitute to
Judge McGiivra's amendment that a COM
mittee consisting OF Messrs. Graves, Nc
Gilvra and Crane be appointed to con-
slider what is best TO DO. Mr.. Graves be-
lieved that IL would bring up question
of damages to abutting property owners
and that its consideration might delay
the work on the canal. He discussed
several matters OF interest in relation to
the right-of-way and its proposed widen
ing so as TO admit OF its use for the YES
sells OF the navy seeking the lakes as
fresh water basins for ships in ordinary.
MIR. nurie stated that the real trouble
in the case Of high water In the Duwam
ish river is owing to a bar at its mouth
formed by deposit that settles when the
river current comes In contact with the
tide. A solution OF the difficulty lies in
clearing away the bar and he believed
that II any part of the appropriation
could be applied to the dredging out Of
the bar a great deal OF the trouble might
he averted Mr.. Graves had spoken Of
the matter OF the high water In the Du-
vanish river TO Eugene Rick
seeker. civil engineer employed
by the war department at Mar
rowstone point fortihcations, and
invited a suggestion as to a. remedy. Mr.
Ricksecker was engaged on the canal
survey and In reply to Mr.. Graves ques-
ton he had said that no engineer would
express an opinion without first giving
the subject careful study. There was the
subject OF general conditions. including
the watersheds OF the Duwamlsh and its
tributaries.
Judge AcGiIvra said that In his opinion
the property at Lake Washington would
be benefited by a lowering OF the water
level Mr.. CRANE stated that his idea IN
Introducing the subject was IN relation
10 securing relief, The committee was
then appointed and will meet az the
Chamber OF Commerce today.
p d Denny. state agent for the Trans
Mississippi exposition. 20 be held this year
al Omaha addressed a letter TO the cham
Der relative 10 an exhibit OF Washington
minerals. The matter was referred TO the
committee on mines and mining.
The complimentary resolutions address,
ed 10 President r. q Graves. J. S. Gold
smith ard J. w. elise IN recognition OF
their work In connection with the Mag
noita bluff army post and fertilization site
we're received and unanimously adopted
The report of the committee was signed
by Jacob Furth. Griffith Davies and Thos
". prosch.