Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1901-06-14
THE p. S. AND G. n. CANAL.
Elias Payn Gives Some Excellent Reasons for
Its Construction.

'''- ~. SHfN0 NJ SANAIs
Elias Payn Gives Some Excellent Reasons for
Its Construction.
There is crisis in the affairs of a
city which either makes or mars its
future. We have seen cities with
great hopes killed by slowness of ac-
ceptance of opportunities because
their object was not understood by the
would-be leaders. Led by men with
out practical knowledge, their future
has been destroyed as if lightning
flash had struck them. Olympia has
suffered from such causes. 1t is to be
hoped that no such mistakes will be
made during the visit of the River
and Harbor Committee. These states
men come to see. They are versed in
everything appertaining to naval and
maritime affairs. They desire to ex-
anime the situation of our harbors and
the proposed Gray's harbor canal.
They are men OF experience, and with
lawyer-like judgement, they will re-
ceive our testimony and their prompt
ness of decision will settle for them
what will be done for us during this
coming Congress. The evidence we
offer must be terse. prompt, set with
facts which cannot be gaiEsaid.
Hating reason, evasion, or doubt, will
ruin our opportunities. We want to
show them we need harbor tor sea-
going vessels, not because we now
have the trade, or individuals are af-
fected, but because by the law Of ne
cessity and circumstances of maritime
navigation, the position and natural
environment of our city demands it.
Show them the maps of the Harbor
Commission, and let them see for
themselves that we have the finest
harbor in the State; convince them by
a glance at the United States charts
We have the best roadstead and an
chorage of any harbor on the Pacific.
Show them that between us and our
sister city we have IT'S square miles Of
navigable waters and without perad-
venture or question as the great cities
of the world-at the head Of naviga-
tion-on Puget Sound; that as soon
as we have deep water there will come
to us unaided the terminal of many
transcontinental railways, despite
every attempt of Wall street to hinder
their construction, and our harbor
will be built to deep water. By every
law of maritime growth, we must
have deep water to secure commercial
growth. This is the capital of the
great State of Washington, and not a
hamlet by the sea. For years. by
maritime necessity, it has been felt
there should be southern outlet to
the Pacific. This is not entirely an
| Olympian enterprise, for every city on
Puget Sound would more or less be
benefited by its construction. By the
maps it can be seen, it would save two
to three hundred miles to every vessel
south or north bound from Gray's
Harbor to Puget Sound. When the
storms rage, during the winter
months, at the mouth of the Straits
there is not shipping city which does
not see the necessity of the proposed
canal. Such q necessity touched
every commercial house to the core,
when, in competition for the traffic of
the Philippines, our vessels were
forced to return because of the fearful
storms raging at the Straits. They
then realized that the canal might
sometime be their salvation. BY the
State, by commercial bodies and by
individuals, Congressional members
and Congress have been importuned
for its survey. The reasons for its
construction in every phase that its
claim demands, will be placed before
the Harbor Committee. These states.
men know that we, either as city,
county or State, are powerless to un-
dertake this enterprise; all navigable
waters of the United States are under
| the Jurisdiction of the War Depart
ment and Of Congress as represented
by these gentlemen. This canal, as
all similar works, must be surveyed by
United States Engineers, to receive
official sanction, before construction.
Did the Puget Sound and Gray's Har-
Dor canal construction rest under the
same conditions as railway, there
would be no necessity for an official
survey. Capital seeking for invest
ment, realizing the present and pros
pective trade. would respond to the
demand and it would soon be under
construction, as it would be a valuable
investment. To question the costs or
possibilities of paying interest is in
fantile in its suggestion, when We
have the foundation for its base, when