The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-01-09
PACIFIC COAST
 DID WELL
One Section That Reports a
 Good Year.
Salmon Industry, Cereal and Fruit Crops Made Satisfac- tory Showing-Lumber the Exception, and Its Stagnation Affected Other Interests, but Outlook is More Hopeful.

Seattle, Jan. 9.7The year just closed, from a financial and industrial point of view, has been one of the most prosperous which the whole Puget Sound country has experienced. There has been a. swanipg of many activi- ties during the later part of the year, but the early months showed record breaking achievements. Measured by such commonly accepted standards as bank c1earances, real estate transfers. building permits post office and cus- toms receipts. this city made. a dis t1nct gain Emerging from three or four years of duh times and ltquidations in the Pacific Northwest. business and fnan- cial interests were at the beginning of 1913 in good shape to cope with the situation Banks. for instance, were well supplied with funds with which to finance the more important indus tries which are the backbone of this ferritory's prosperity. They werc able to furnish plenty. of money to the Sound, but of Alaska, who make their headquarters in this city. The can- ners this year put up the largest sal mon pack on record, or close to 7,000,- GOO cases. exceeding the largest pre- viOus pack by nearly 1 1,0O0, 900 eases, or about-15 per cent. The cereal and fruit crops while not so large as they were the previous year. have found an excellent market, and prices have ranged somewhat higher than in 1912.
 At the moment the outlook seems to be more hopeful Some Of the causes for the present depression of the luIn- Der industry appear 10 be disappear ing It looks to coast lumber nanu- faeturers as though the Interstate Commerce Commission will permit the railroads to make slight advances in freight rates, in which event the lun-. bermen believe the carriers will be Tn a position to carry out contemplated improvements These bettermenrs will mean a renewed demand for lumber Throughout the year there has been fairly good demand for h1gn grace in westments. Real estate has been dee pressed almost rgzEtu 7pE1slys There Fag been less trading in Seattle real estate in 1913 than in any year since the panic Bonds. mostly municipal. county or state, have been in favor. brsskly. number of such issues, which really possessed merit. have been killed in Seattle during the year. 2 and only a. few weeks ago voters ln Portland and Tacoma voted down bond issue propositions.
 Thre or four years ago bond issues had only to be submitted to be rat ti-; he'd. with taxes increasing rapidly ike voters view with suspicion every Bond issue x E
 SEATTLE DEVELOPING HARBOR
 The port of Seattle has been and stiII is developing the harbor here, in the expectation that as soon as the Panama Canal is opened the export and import business of this city will De materially augmented. A number of deep=water docks have been erect ea Cold storage warehouses are un- der way A mammoth grain elevator is pIanned.- A dock has been provided 9or-stfe fishing fleet, with facilities for repairing vessels. Before the port zmprovements have been completed sZ6 900 coo will have been expended.
 While the gold output of Alaska fell off, developments of other kinds made the season just closing one of the best in recent years. The commerce of Seattle with the North will show a large gain The promise that the gov ernment- will aid in the opening up of Alaska by assisting in the construc- lion Of raiiroads. hses stimulated the Northern business and renewed the hope that Alaska will shortly come into its own and receive stMe attention --1asrTT tf1ev feel is due it.