The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-24
10. Graves Reports Good Work
Done at Washington City.
|~Yes TO SECRETARY PRoscH
Gen. Ludington Not
s..uiued to Pay Much Attention
N TacOma's Complaint Against
r~.t R0binson-SenatO Fair
~..ks May Introduce Alaska Ca
-. Bill - Sees Gen. Wilson.

:, me regular weekly meeting OF the
.s,,ber of Commerce yesterday Secre-
- pyosch made public a letter recently
p'ss,ved nv him from T.. o. Graves, form
" rres,dent OF the chamber, who spent
0vs.rsl weeks during April and the first
~ n The present month at Washington
y. interest of the city of Seattle. Va
y. ,ratters are touched on, including the
..s,da Of the officials of the quarter
r..or. department toward the charges
IN n Tacoma newspaper against Capt
,,sIpson. OF this city.
'Ssssr matters OF importance are touched
: = Mr.. Graves letter. which Is in part
= hsve just had an interview with
ns.xsrynSster General Ludington and
"a r,rd Gen LudinFton told me that he
= recelved a telegram from Capt. Rob
- saving that charges had been for
s.sS.d from Tacoma ana demanded an
sSfisation, but as the charges had NOT
~. Ia hand he was ignorant OF tho ma
- AZ them. Later | called upon aim
"a Ssked that a full investigation be
~. He said that the charges hac not
"a lake no action until the return OF
~ pafes and his associates, who were
- Instructions to make full investi-
rsssn OF affairs In Seattle relating to the
,rsssport service.
's .scth Gen. Ludington and Col. Bird
- in high terms OF Robinson'e ability
N sf6ciency. Col Bird saying that his
N IA Seattle had impressed him with the
ssrlon that Robinson was an able and
lsaegt officer.
REGARDING Tacoma jealousy.
s4Se ouartermaster general, as he has
/ - dome before, commented on the bck
- between Tacoma and Seattle as an
WING 10 the department and injurious
4 the interests OF both cities. He was
snpelled to admit. however, that this
ikAeYng was all one one side and that
n one word had ever come to the de-
yfment from any responsible source in
ksttle derogatory TO Tacoma"
neferrng to the facts put before the
swrtermaster general in relation to the
,Avuntages OF the northern route to the
nijippines, Mr.. Graves said that he had
vdnted out the fact that the Canadian
hG0o had. after most exhaustive examin-
th5n, reached the conclusion that the
tnthern route was less dangerous than the
ruthern during the winter and that this
INCLUSION had been confirmed by many
ysAss experience with their own vessels.
II think Il would be we'll" writes Mr..
grsses, ito supply the quartermaster gem
mi With further evidences on this point
! am hopeful that the. investigations OF
Ga Bates will be helpful both In tho
natter OF the establishment of a quarter
xaxters depot at Seattle and OF sending
frther vessels by the northern route"
~ Graves also visited Admiral Brad
bsd, chief OF the naval equipment bureau,
= found that the admiral is a warm
Mad Of the Port Orchard drydock." Mr..
I Caves says He told me that no had
MD an argument before the aprropria-
thas committee In favor of the appropria-
ton for the dock ard that he diseerted
udsSey from Admi'al Endicott's views as
| "a M tyvSssr NJ
Y 70 the holding IN the construction of
b. necessary buildings.
In conversation with Gen Wilson. chief
I he engineer corps. he assured me CT
N continued interest I'm the Lake WASH
hGton canal and OF his earnest desire ana
purpose to begin It's construction az soon
Y Title should be vested in the general
pvernment. He assured me or his sincere
hkndship for Seattle and said that We
wight always call upon him for assistance
b matters affecting our interests.
Alaska Cable Favored.
7 dincd with Senator Fairbanks. OF
hdiana. the other dav and In conversation
VII him after dinner he evinced great
hsres. In the northern cable route to the
odkrt. He said that he had almost made
y his mind to introduce a bill for he
instruction OF cable from Puget sound
Alaska. as his visit to that territory
~ Impressed him with the necessity for
Eeedier communication with the rest 81
~ country. Such line connecting with
MT Al Skagway to Dawson and the other
Ms about TO be built by the war depart
mt In Alaska would bring a large part
Y he territory he said. into telesraphic
sMmunication with the United States.
tnstor Fairbanks Is a man Of great and
mHved Influence. II ne Will take up In
afnsst the securing OF an appropriation
government cable by the northern
Ns's the prospects of its success would
svery bright"
~ Graves concluded his letter by saying
ny AFTER Investigating the status of the
'auc building hills now before the house
y convinced that there IL small chance
mvorahle action on any pending meas-
N@ o. this nature at this session.