Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1909-03-09
letter From Spokane, Washington.

nave thought, II you care 10 publish 1t,
this letter to your paper might be of in
terest to them and to others of your read.
ers.
Much has appeared of late in news
papers and magazines respecting this
city and the Inland Empire" of which
it is the business center and natural en-
porium. While much of it seems too
marvellous to be true. most of it in point
of fact is not exaggerated.
What is known as the Inland Empire
is a large territory rich in resources of
almost every kind constituting the Co
lumbia river basin lying between the
Rocky Mountains and the Cascade ran
ges, including parts of the states of Wash
ington, Oregon, Idaho and of British
Columbia. Spokane is a young city,
modern and up-to-date, with a population
of no 900 people and increasing at the
| rate of IS, 900 year. A large portion OF
| this influx is that of well-to-do people
| from the middle west, east and south who
come here with means. having sold their
ton because of larger opportunity, better
climate, etc. There is also large per-
centage of mixed humanity from all over
Europe, Asia and the 'Ises of the sea- I"
The native American however, dominates
and sets the pace for the rest in almost
every department of enterprise. The
Scandinavians are numerous and thrifty
and make good citizens. The business
section of Spokane is of solidly built
buildings five to twelve stories high.
with every modern appliance as fine as
any in Washington City or Baltimore.
The stores are as fine as any have ever
seen, especially hardware, furniture. etc.
AS commercial city it stands sixth in
Importance west of the Mississippi. The
bank clearances are sometimes greater
than those of Portland, Oregon. The
bank clearances of Spokane for the year
just ended were 1907, ,4S2 being So
100000 greater than the previons year,
Notwithstanding the financial crisis, and
no large city in the United States stood
the panic better or was less aware of its
presence.
Notwithstanding the large banking
capital of this CT y, money is always in
demand on account of the vast field of
enterprise and development of which it
is the centre. The legal rate of interest
in this state is up to IL per cent and
gu te good deal of money is loaned at
IL per cent. on short mortgage loans and
personal security by local money lenders
who know their customers and can keep
sharp eye on the securities. The
borrowers are of class who want money
quick to go into some big thing" and
will mortgage good property to secure
the money, But these snaps" can only
| be awaited of by men on the spot who
know how to handle such loans. The
banks discount at 5 per cent. and mort
gage loans are made at the same. Build
| ing and Loan Associations are able to
loan at 9 per cent as their loans are re-
paid in installments extending through
several years. Local Building and Loan
Associations are encouraged by state
law and are under good state regulations
protecting investors outside associa
tons being classed among wild cat"
enterprises are practically excluded by
being required to deposit one hundred
| thousand dollars of bonds with the State
| Auditor. Millions of eastern capital Is
Invested in this city. The city has fifteen
banks. national. state and trust COM
panies. nearly all with savings depart
ment.
This is local point for about 81. 600
i 900 per month of gold. silver. copper
and lead from the mines of the Inland
| Empire; of $50. 900. 900 annually of
| wheat from the Palouse and Big Bend
sections; of SI7. ooo 900 of timber and
lum ber-nearly as much as the entire
output of the Southern states-from the
forests of Washington; SO. 900. 900 out
put of fruit from Yakima, Wenatchee and
Spokane districts and $50. 600. 900 live
stock raised each year between the Rock
| lie; and Cascades It will make to long
letter to deal specifically with the other
great resources surrounding this city.
There are thirty graded and public
schools. two public high schools ard
other private schools. These schools are
the pride of the city. The pay of the
teachers. most of them females, ranges
from sixty to one hundred dollars per
month. The school term is nine months
The city is reached by FIVE continental
railway lines in operation and another
projected. besides four inter-urbar cleo
trio lines with mileage Of one hundred
and fifty miles. and two competing city
traction companies. There are four
branch steam railroads leading into the
surrounding country at each point of the
compass
The trades union are strong here and
own and operate a newspaper. Wages
are high. the Scale being about double
that prevailing in Charles Town in al
most every trade A recent newspaper
statement gave the number of building
permits issued at an average of ten per
day. Not believing the statement. as
certained it myself at the city Office.