The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1911-09-29
DOWN TO BRASS TACKS

awakening and beginning to under
stand what it means to this section.
Already we have we'll authenticated
reports Of new transportation lines
which will be established, as we'll as
many rumors which should be given
little credence. The chaff is always
found with the wheat, and it is
sometimes difficult to separate them.
We know, however, that fast
mail line will be established between
New York and Seattle. We know
that a through steamship service
between Seattle, San Francisco, Los
Angeles and various ports of Europe
will be established, and that thou
sands of emigrants will be landed on
the shores of Puget Sound. And
we know that the community which
gains the most through this activity
will be the one which is best pre-
pared to take advantage of the OPP
portunity.
It has been stated, and with much
truth, that had Christopher Column
bus landed on the shores of Puget
Sound, New England would be
nothing but a cow pasture today.
But, reader of THE Argus" do you
realize that the building of the Pana-
ma Canal places Washington where
New England was few hundred
years ago. Washington, with her
unlimited water power, with her
hundreds of thousands of acres of
the best wheat and fruit land III the
world, with her lumber, her fisheries
and her minerals, where New Eng
land had little besides compare
lively small area of land, and forests
which in their palniest days never
compared with those of Washington.
Weare guarding natures storehouse
of treasure, and we should be pre-
pared to share that treasure with the
thousands from the old world who
will soon knock at our door.
There are some things, however,
which should and must be done, and
done quickly in order that we may
be prepared to take advantage of
Opportunity when she knocks.
As far as Seattle herself is con-
cerned, the initial steps have been
taken. We will be prepared, in a
few years, to take care of the ship
ping in a manner which will be the
envy of the world.
But what are we doing for the
settler when he arrives?
To the north of us is Alaska, capa-
BILE disappearing population great
er than that of the New England
States, New York and Pennsylvania,
and that without crowding-a COM
munity which has hardly been
scratched over, country containing
millions of acres of agricultural land,
as yet untouched. We must work
to get her doors unlocked. We
must work up a public sentiment
which will cause the national gov
eminent to pass proper and just legis-
lation. 1t is up to the people Of the
entire Pacific Coast to do this, but
especially to those of Seattle to take
the initiative, for Seattle is and al
ways will be. the gateway of Alaska.
In Washington there are hun
dreds of thousands of acres of logged
off lands, which should be prepared
! for the settler. Other states have
solved this question by issuing long
time bonds, clearing the land,
and making it attractive for the
home builder. Eventually Wash
ington will do this. But when?
Now is the time to do it. Every
acre cleared and cultivated becomes
an asset.
Every acre of the land which is
brought under pillow and harrow
tends to decrease the price of living,
as well as the cost of taxation on
other improvements.
All these things can be accom-
plished. They must be if we hope
to settle up the State of Washington,
and build on Elliott Bay a city that
| will he the wonder of the world