The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-21
TACOMA, METROPOLIS
OF THE SOUTHWEST.
Great Railroad Terminus. Exporting
Center and Manufacturing city,
With Rich Tributary Country.

Located on the west side Of Commence
ment bay, Tacoma. the metropolis OF
Southwestern Washington, Is the secon
city in the state. both in population and
business Importance. With 1 population
of 1900 people. an unusually la, sc pro-
portion of whom are skilled iabcrers en-
ployed chiefly In the milling industries
and Northern Pacific railway. the city Is
Il substantial business center. As job
b,ng point and the entrepot for a large
share OF the Oriental business, besides
having an immense export lumber bust
hess. both coastwise and foreign, Tacoma
since the boom days has settled into her
place as one of the leading cities OF the
state and is steadily growing In population
and commercial Importance.
Her advantage as the city furthest in
land upon navigabie water, which leads 10
economy in rail frelghts. has assisted ma
terially In securing 10 her the heavy mar
time trade that has dono much toward
her advancement.
The Manufactures.
Trade report, for the past year show a
marked increase in all lines over the BUSH
ness OF 1886 The volume Of business OF
the 22t moro important aud substantial
establishments OF the city reached sio,sSo.
coo during the twelve months Of 1sss, and
this excellent showing bids fair 10 be ma
terially outdone this year
The manufactured output for the year
was SO ,0oo representing the products
Of 323 factories. large and small. with an
invested capital OF more than 100000,
During the year these Industries employed
all told 1852 men, the average monthly
pay rolls amounting 10 $4,000.
Exports and Imports.
The export trade for 1897 has been espe-
ciaily gratifying, indicating an increase
over 1896 in all lines. The returns Of this
business for the first four months OF the
present year show heavier trade than
for the same time las; year. with every
reasonable prospect of a continuance
throughout the year. For last year -four
exports aggregated 81 GO barrels and
wheat noregn) 3.9s3, Tg7 bushels. the total
value Of the exported breadstuffs having
reached A.sSA ,9s2. an increase az nearly %
per cent. over the previous twelve months.
The coal shipments, coastwise. amounted
20 3is.0o tons. The cotton exports. raw,
aggregated $50 tons, drills and sheetings
100 tons. the total exports b. water be-
Ing valued at $4,000. The total imports
for the year were about $3.50. r9 the for
eign business RS a xh0ia showing an in
crsase OF over 1ge per cert. III two years.
The city Is one Of factories and each
year brings new industries and STEAD
Increase Of the capacity OF ire long estab-
iished factories All told. the lumber cut
ting capacity OF the mills in t1e city Is
J. 100 go feet daily. Tire Touring mill "a
pac!;y Ia 1,fs barrels daily. The rnc large
ore sfneiter of the city had an output ~
s7s4 1fa for 1870 The bank ciearauces for
the year were in round figures about S2g-
GO 90 The grain warehouse capacity en-
tue water front Is fc.0 90 bushes and ihs
ccal bunker capacity 22.99 tons
Its neauitfat Homes
After is heavy manufacturing interests.
Tacoma - ft- ~
homes. Located on the HIS above aud
away frCm the shorCuRhfares. curuna ns!-
Ing a magnificent view ~ the bay and
surrounding colatry. Taooma's homes are
superior as a whole ~ those II any Qth"~
city in she state. "F'-ner residences and
more o. them Is the Way they arc spok-
on Of bv Their owuerr AID the citizens
point Win especia! pride . This attrac~
TIVE feature nf tia F@c301 largest city IN
the state. In the hea~s Il re cay Is
Wright park. garden % scs IS sArua-
he~y. handsome fr:ves and inviting shade
A. ;he extreme north - TIE ci-y e. ne
government reserve. one - tso bardsa.n-
80 uatgval - FAs II Au.tT{ g. whiea has
heeG laid oaIt - Pom Defiance park ara
IL ore # the c3ty's Fsl,et rote.i attractions
Street car sySt cns both electric au4
catlr. f.r.5sh a. reHte5 facilities for
moving e and from ~ Sons az ,Ae
~l,y Taere - Eaot narrow stree within
tEe eitF limits. none beng less taaa slehty
fest vide. AID the avenues ta- reet If.
width Downtown th1roeag aga-es a-s<!
~7~ne C. the more prominent IT, The resi-
dance portion are paved.
Ta@ DafGTA. rope = the Cstv so ne
water makes ;Ae saver system s4.s,s,ls
We; thorough c7.e. 4; present TIE system
- affy~esve II - iu sength ard has cas~:
hst = uss3cn AollsTs. Excellent drainage
aal god ~a1eT. added 70 the climate .: