BUREAU OF STATISTICS, AGRICULTURE AND IMMIGRATION, To His Excellency John R. Rogers, Governor of Washington: A. W. FRATER, Deputy Commissioner. SAM H. NICHOLS, Secretary of State, Ex-officio Commissioner. INTRODUCTORY. OFFICE OF THE BUREAU OF STATISTICS, AGRICULTURE OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON, July 20, 1901. In presenting this report to the public, we deem it proper to state that, owing to the failure of the legislatures of 1897 and 1899 to make appropriations for this Bureau, no reports have been published since 1896, and the issue of that year is exhausted. This being the case and the demand for information as to the resources of the State being so general and urgent, we have been prompted thus early to issue a report, which of necessity is largely descriptive in character, rather than being confined to statistical figures. In compliance with the law which requires the Bureau to promptly answer all proper inquiries relative to the State, received by mail or otherwise, the Deputy Commissioner, on assuming office, prepared a circular letter giving in brief a statement intended to meet the requirements until the necessary data could be gathered and compiled for an intelligent work in book form. This circular letter has been mailed to several hundred applicants, most of whom made inquiries as to our agricultural resources and lands, for the development of which there is the most urgent need and demand. We have endeavored to give a conservative and concise review of the State, with a brief historical sketch, touching on its vast, varied and boundless resources. It is not only intended as an immigration document, but it is intended to 177545 be helpful in promoting the prosperity of our citizens, many of whom are as yet unacquainted with the character of our soil, and the value and magnitude of our other resources. To those interested in agriculture and kindred pursuits, in which we include dairying and stock raising, we would say that you have the benefit of the experienced observations and conclusions of Professors Spillman, Elliott and Fulmer, instructors in the State Agricultural College at Pullman. The historical sketch was prepared by Hon. Edmond S. Meany, professor of history in the University of Washington, and the article on "Puget Sound" by Thos. W. Prosch. Those interested in the geology of the State are presented with an instructive article, especially prepared for this work, by Professor Henry Landes, State Geologist, and professor of geology and mineralogy of the University of Washington. On climatology you will find a most elaborate, accurate and and scientific article prepared by G. W. Salisbury, division director of the United States weather bureau, at Seattle. On lumber resources you have the benefit of the knowledge of that subject only possessed by Victor H. Beckman, secretary of the Pacific Coast Lumber Manufacturers' Association. And in addition to all of these you have the benefit of the special knowledge possessed by the heads of the various departments of state, who have personally rendered valuable assistance, and from whose reports we have drawn freely in the compilation of this book. We claim nothing for ourselves, except that we have endeavored to deal with facts, and we confidently assert, that in no sense have the resources of our State been over-valued, but on the contrary not half that might truthfully have been claimed has been set forth, and no doubt what is herein contained will be helpful in promoting immigration, since our boundless pos sibilities, healthful climate and unlimited opportunities for advancement must appeal to thousands living in less favored states and communities. We also believe that this work will be beneficial in promoting industrial and commercial enterprises, as the conservative facts herein stated as to our natural resources and advantages, and our location from a commercial standpoint, commanding, as we do, the Oriental, Alaskan, insular, and Pacific coast trade, must appeal strongly to capitalists seeking investments and to manufacturers desirous of securing advantageous locations. The efforts of this Bureau to obtain reliable data from those whose duty it is by law to assist, has been unavailing in many cases, and if the citizens of any of the counties feel that their descriptive reports are brief and unsatisfactory, they are requested to inquire for the cause from their officers and commercial bodies. It is our intention to supplement this report before the next session of the legislature convenes, in which supplement will be summarized the results of our efforts in promoting a healthy and desirable immigration, and we hope to submit with it a great deal of statistical data, together with recommendations for the future needs of the Bureau. SAM H. NICHOLS, A. W. FRATER, Deputy Commissioner. Ex-Officio Commissioner. |