A Million Dollars Secured for the Lake Washington Canal

David E. Durie returned last evening from the East with the welcome news that the money for the filling in of the tide flats and the construction of a waterway to Lake Washington had been secured, the sole condition being the guarantee of the right-of-way and the lock. This news means the expenditure of $1,500,000 or more in this city within the next four years, and the opening of Washington into Puget Sound through what has popularly been termed the 'south canal.'

Mr. Durie was seen at his home on Yesler avenue last evening, and said:

"The expedition has been successful in every respect, and we now have the money for the completion of the entire enterprise, but with the condition that the canal be secured and a guarantee made in reference to the lock before any of the money shall be spent. The act of the legislature does not provide for any incumbrance arising from either of these two latter propositions, and they necessarily have to be covered in some other way. When that is done the money will be ready both for the canal and the waterways on the tide flats. The people have a means of completing the canal in four years, and it rests entirely with them.

"Arrangements are now being made for the early commencement of work on the waterways through the tide flats, and if the right-of-way can be secured the first steps in excavating the canal could be made with very little delay. In fact, the preparations are so near completion that operations could begin practically at once."

Mr. Durie was accompanied on his visit to the East by ex-Governor Eugene Semple, and Julius Nade, the counsel for the Seattle and Lake Washington Waterway Company, and the party has been absent on the mission since November 1. They expected to be able to tell the news of their success by New Year's day, but at that time arrangements had not been entirely completed. They found the most friendly feeling everywhere for Seattle, and, as Mr. Durie says, the city stands without a peer among the commercial centers of the East. The negotiations looking to floating the bonds, involving the expenditure of millions, is the first great enterprise to be started anywhere in the United States since the wide-spread depression and business embarrassments began, and the good name, the standing and the good character of Seattle, Mr. Durie says, were the most potent factor that operated powerfully in aiding the negotiations. Seattle is so well known for solidity that the name alone made the labors attendant on the deal comparatively light. The parties who will furnish the money are the heaviest financial men in St. Louis, and they have one of the largest trust companies of the country.

Mr. Durie was snowbound two days on his return trip at the Cascades, along the Columbia river, in Oregon, but suffered no great inconvenience, aside from the delay. Governor Semple and Mr. Nade remained East in order to draw the necessary papers. They are now on their way to this city, and will arrive in a day or two.