The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-28
Canal Work to Commence.

After many years delay work Is to
be fairly commenced on the great pub
lie enterprise of ship canal connect
ing the waters of Puget Sound with
preparation of $4,000. made some years
ago. has become available through
the final passage to the government of
title to the land covered by the right
of way. The expenditure of this APP
preparation guarantees absolutely the
ultimate completion OF the work, as 1t
gives the canal a place on each success
sive river and harbor bill. as govern
ment work under construction but un-
completed.
The Lake Washington ship canal has
had the highest Endorsement from the
engineering bureau OF the army for
many years; 1t has received the unaual-
flied approval of all naval officers OF
high rank whose attention has ever
been drawn to the matter. and 1t never
has received a word of adverse criticism
save from jealous rivals to the city. OF
Seattle. whose sole ground of objection
to II is that II win, incidentally. benefit
Seattle. This consideration, however.
win hardly have any weight outside OF
a few square miles OF territory up the
sound. and win not serve to hinder or
delay work OF such great and imme-
diate benefit to the whole country.
The creation of magnificent fresh
water harbor. accessible FROM tide
water by a mile or two OF canal. In
which all the navies OF the world might
ride at anchor. is certainly a national
work OF prodigious Importance and
when such an undertaking can be ac-
complished, as at Seattle. at the min
imum OF expense, 1t is little wonder
that the Seattle canal has received the
enthusiastic Endorsement of army
engineers and naval commanders alike.
The time viii be opportune. when the
present appropriation IL exhausted. to
press upon congress the Importance
OF speedy completion OF the work.
Tho needs OF the Pacific are now real
ICED as never before. 1t Ia clearly seen
that the commerce OF the Pacific will.
before many years. rival II not surpass
that Of the Atlantic. The present war
IN China. and the always present pros
pect OF further troubles In Asia.
win soon show the necessity of
keeping on the Pacific a large, n
not the largest. share OF the navy
Of the United States. In time OF
peace. many vessels OF the navy win
always be laid up Ia ordinary. A fresh
water harhor, when II can be had. is
always superior 10 one on salt water In
which To lay up unsheathed vessels, for
there IL no such accumulation OF mar
lne vegetation on their hulls in fresh
water as when the tide Gibbs and flows
A smaller force can keep the machinery
from deseriorating in a fresh water har-
Dor than where sneh machinery IL gx-
posed e. the saline air over tide water
Recognising these facts. the navy de-
parsmeHt has appealed to congress for
years for the construction Of large
fresh water basin at League island. IN
which 20 lay up the vessels out q com
mission. At a 1.-THE Of the expense.
there can be made on Lake Washing
ton not mere basin. bat a hsrbor big
enough 20 accommodate all the vessel
employed on the Pacific. warships or
merchantmen, with such Arguments
as these. and with the assured backing
Of the army and navy. congress can be
appealed 10 at this time with assured
prospects Of success