The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1910-01-20

cpoSiN are represented w NoiliS
distinct achievement or re
markable or out-oi-thc-ordi-
nary accomplishment, that
means in its tulfillment another
measured stride towards final
business supremacy.
Seattle has been no exception
TO this rule. In the almost mar
Vicious growth and increasing
activity OF the city periods of
commercial expansion have
been sharply defined by
"events." There was the COM
inc Of the first railroad, the
later acquisition OF other trans
continental lines. the building
and completion OF the battle
ship Nebraska. the discovery
az the klondikc and the sue
ceeding rush TO the iahulously
wealthy fields OF the north. and
other accomplishments OF less
spectacular interest but OF
equal value as a boost at the
psychological moment.
And this week the city
reaches another epoch. the ill
ing Of petition calling Tor an
election on the question ot
Strengthening aud dredging the
Duwamish river. To all prac-
teal purposes the Improvement
is as good as under way now.
While the election IS still to be
held and the people IN the inn
mediate district are set 70 vote
for or against The improve
ment. SO carefully have the pro-
canal forces worked that the
results 81 the poll can only re-
suit. they say, IN an over
whelmiug majority in favor OF
tie project.
Commercial Expansion Sure.
That this will forecast an
epoch al industrial development
for the city OF Seattle which
viii result III another marvellous
period OF commercial expan-
sion is certain. That IL will be
OF incalculable value in finally
deciding the city's destiny as
the leading metropolis Of the
Pacific coast IS equally certain.
And that il will be ranked. in
time To como, as one Of the
very most important works that
have been undertaken 10 the
city's bettcrmcnf IS iorecasted
in light OF Seattle's past COM
mcrciaI history.
To those who have closely
watched the city's industrial
expansion the successful Gull
ninatiou Of the agitation for
the Duwamish improvement
means much. They sec, for in
stance. an additional twenty
four miles OF water front added
to the already great harbor
line. thousands Of acres Of adj
ditionaI sites for manufacturing
and industry created. a hereto
fore almost impossible manu-
featuring zone rcmadc 80 as to
offer every necessary convent
ence and facility for the further
growth Of our "smoke-stack"
industry.
They see a tortuous, un-
wieldly stream in the heart 81
the city transformed into an
artery for commerce. with sufii-
cicnt width and depth 10 ac-
commodate the vessels en-
gagged in the carrying OF manu-
featured products
Where the rank grass grew
they see factories building. and
later, huge smokestacks belch-
ing forth columns Of smoke
Means Substantial Progress.
They see. IN the future. an
immediate and prosperous
growth, new manufactures,
greater payrolls. a more than
substantial influx Of the capital
which establishes and main
tains the dinner pail brigade.
more business generally, more
prosperity particularly, and
more solid, substantial progress
constantly,
The average citizen who now
casually discusses the "Du-
vanish Canal" so called.
hardly appreciates the full sig
niiicanco Of what the improve
ment means. II is more than a
mere canal II is more than
simply gouging a hole through
the top Of the earth along which
ships can be carried to and
from certain previously un.
attainablc points.
The completion Of the canal
means that the entire Duwam.
ish valley from the conflucnc,
Of the mouth OF the river with
the two waterways 90 a point
well up towards Black River
Junction viii be immcdiatel,
available Tor the accommoda
tion of manufacturing and in
dustry II means that thou