The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-01
A Word to the Wise.


The only possible check that could
come to the growth and prosperity Of
own citizens Nature has lowered us
with Extraordinary and unrivaled adj
vantages. It is by virtue Of these, util-
lied through tie indomitable spirit and
unresting energy Of our people, that we
have outstripped all competitors and
stand upon the threshold of great posi-
bilities. 1t IL only our own hand that
can close this "open door" And 4
seems to us that the time has eome
when a word OF warning should be
spoken and needed. For no resources.
however great. are inexhaustible; and
no city has an indefeasible right to 3u
premacy. 1t can throw away its title IL
II is unwilling to be wise.
A great manufacturing concern has
bought large property at Everett and
proposes to establish Its business there.
It's representatives visited the Pacific
coast before deciding upon their future
sites. We are informed that Seattle
was by long odds. their preference and
first choice, as II must be naturally. But
when they came to, investigate prices.
they were unwilling to pay the sums
that were asked for property suitable
for their purpose. They were obliged.
consequently. to seek elsewhere, and are
now located permanently where the
smaller amount asked for a site enables
them to invest more capital In plant
and in the extension OF their business.
We use this particular instance as
an illustration because 1t shows the ma
ture OF the danger that threatens tvs.
We do not profess to know what terms
We're asked OF offered, or whether they
could be considered fairly unreasonable
What we do know is that Seattle has
lost valuable addition TO its manufac-
turing industries that might have been
obtained by some concession. We know
further that the increase IN property
prices and in rents has gone forward
rapidly. and that these have proceeded
about as far as II IL safe for them TO
go at the present time. A word to the
wise should be sufficient
II is natural and proper that the own
Of No.
selves for the stress and loss of long
period OF depression 1t IL right that
they should mark up their holdings in
proportion to the change In our out
look But the inevitable tendency Is to
so too far II Is the old story of the
goose and its golden eggs No outside
influence can overcome the tremendous
lead that Seattle has achieved In the
race for commercial supremacy on this
coast hut Il could be dene ~ our own
pc ple were foolish enough and grasp.
ing enough TO drive away population
and business by insisting upon unrea-
sonable prices and rentals People viii
not pay these because they DO not have
to, They will accept inferior facilities
rather than suffer what they consider
rightly or wrongly. eNtortion.
We 30 not believe that any such con-
ditton has been reached here. We do
think that pages have gone as high as
u is safe for them 20 So Let the cap
nalists - Seattle remember that there
ATE other YeAus and good ones % come
II H. better 60 BE- satisfied with a mod
crate ana certain income and Increment
/ Than o. grasp at a large present pront
al the risk % sacrificing everything
/ TAis Is The period q our growth when
We need more than all else 70 offer ev-
cry indueemcnt TO bring population and
industry hither: 20 make this the cheap
est as well as the best center for COM
merce and manufacture. 70 enable the
clerk aud the work.ngmau TO obtain
/ homes within the reach OF their Incomes
! That Is the law OF wholesome success
! full and permanent growth. II cannot
| be forgotten, ignored or denied without,
| inviting a penalty of which. other am
bilious cities that were too sure Of their