The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-31
,sArrLs, MONDAY. DECEMBER 81.
seattie's Opportunity.

Probably no more nnomentous PROPOSE
ton has been placed before the people OF
Seattle for their consideration than that
which IA contained In the complete state
ment with reference to the building here
Of one OF ths United states battieships
which the Poss-fnteiligencer Is authorized
rdss,ve 10 the public this morning. The
matter is on~fso grave and the call upon
the thoughtful consideration and the pub
lie spirit OF our citizens Is 80 imminent
that We 49, tas<m to give. 1t first place
ana all p'aes Until It shall have been de-
cidsd
1he situation is explained fully In our
local columns II IL assured beyond any
question that the contract for one OF the
sheathed battieships will be awarded to
the Moran company OF this city ~ their
bid can b. 40 sncdinsd Is to bring It
within the limit Of cost nxed. That sum
II ts.sOO.ooo and the original bid Of the
Moran company for building one ship
alone was H5ssp in excess of that
amount. or. II the contract for two ships
wefe awarded, the bid for each was $751; 800
over thu limit This Is less than the bid
OF either the Bath Iron Works or the yard
Vt Newport News.
The navy department desires 90 avoid
the delay Incident 70 readvertlsing Tor
bids. and 20 make contracts with the
present bidders n possible The MorAns
wish 70 secure the contract. A. the meas
urs Of what they feel that they can do
safely and In Justice 10 themselves to win
It. they ara ready to accept the contract
for one ship at the hsurs previously
named In case they had the building OF
two. That II. they reduce their bid in
the amount OF sIisom There Is provi-
sion Of the law which seems clearly TO
direct the allowance OF a 4 per cent dif-
fefsntiai I'm favor OF Pacific coast build
ers. to cover extra expense arising from
higher rates Of wages and transportation
sof material. This allowance would reduce
ths difference between the bid and the
limit allowed by law to 100000 In round
numbers. On this narrow margin depends
the question whether one OF the battle
ships IL TO be constructed In Seattle or
not
The Moran company feels that I, has
done all that Il can or ought TO do. Il
cannot. as a business proposition. make
the further reduction required TO assure
the contract Nithn q few days at most
direct answer VIII have 10 he siven 60
the department whether contract on
these terms viii Or will not be entered
Into. Realizing the tremendous impor.
lance OF the issue TO the city and as
business interests the company sive the
facts publicity. In order that our peopl.
may be informed Of their opportunity and
Of the necessity Of speedy action II q is
no, 90 lapse. Can this difference Of sioaoea
be made good. in order 10 bring this great
ensetpris. hsrsf
7, - a strictly business proposition that
Is contained in the suggestion that the
people OF Seattle agree 70 make M the
haiance. The suIldlns 81 bs,tleshlp here
would be Of ineaicHisbis advantage 10 the
city sna all ia business interests II
means she Immediate extension 90 the
shiphulldinw plant 81 the Moran company
20 enc Of the hrs, concerns In tho unitsa
AZ.
With the city on the one hsad ana with
iais kihd Of work on the ether II places
Seattle a. once coed second 20 san
Franchise In this respect. and win attrar.
hl,hcr other aad allied interests ana make
this Cor ali time the center % shtp con.
syrnction on the North paeisc
lt meens an enormous and constant al
aislon to our industry Il means the ex-
penditure here 81 millions % dollars within
the mex, three years II means the add
'len 20 the payroll o. eur industries or al
leass 81 permanent employees. at an av-
ease wage. counting In all forms or IA
Dor, Of SO a month. Al least sa.a a
moalh will be paid out "a Wages. or more
than x.maess before the ship Is complet-
cd. Al iAis money will De expended here.
IN the maintenance OF several thousand
people added 10 cur population u viii
enter into ana sven the profits Of local
irSae. ana expand the local market II
VIM increase the demand for all eommoal-