A Clerk’s Error Won Seattle an Army Post

ARMY POST ASSURED. So Reported by Board of Army Officers Necessary. A CLERK'S FORTUNATE MISTAKE. Secretary's Statement Says the Post Will Be at Magnolia Bluffs. What It Will Mean.

The army post on Magnolia Bluffs in this city is now assured. This information was received last evening by dispatch from Washington City stating that through a clerical error in making up the copy of the civil appropriation bill the secretary of war can go ahead and locate the post without waiting for the report of a committee of army officers on the location, and by private dispatch to the Post-Intelligencer from James Hamilton Lewis, who is in Washington City, it is learned that the secretary of war told Mr. Lewis that the post must be located in this city. The ground is already secured and the Chamber of Commerce will now go ahead and convey the site and transfer it to the government. This means at least $100,000 a year income to the city. It was due to the efforts of Senator Squire that an amendment that the location should be determined by a board of army officers was changed in conference, and he has been untiring in his efforts to have the recommendations of Gen. Otis carried out.

The telegram announcing this welcome news is as follows:

"Washington City, March 21—An error by some congressional clerks in making up the copy of the sundry civil appropriation bill sent to the president has materially changed the intention of congress in providing for the establishment of two military posts. It involves also the rivalry of the cities of Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., and will probably result in favor of Seattle.

"When the bill was pending in the senate Senator Squire, who lives in Seattle, gave notice of an amendment for the establishment by the secretary of war of a post on Puget Sound. This would mean a post at Seattle, as Gen. Otis, in command of the Department of the Columbia, had already reported in favor of that point. Representative Doolittle, who lives in Tacoma, then offered an amendment for a post on Puget Sound, with a proviso that its location should be determined by a board of army officers, none of whom should be stationed in the department where the post was located. This was adopted in the house. The senate struck out the proviso for an examination by an army board. Senator Roach, of North Dakota, offered an amendment in the senate, which was adopted, providing for the abandonment of the military post at Fort Yates and the establishment of a post at Bismarck, N.D. When the bill was in conference an agreement was reached to restore the Doolittle amendment with some slight modifications, which necessitated its being rewritten.

"It now appears that the provision for a board of army officers to examine and report upon the best site applied to the Bismarck post, while the secretary may go ahead and locate the post on Puget Sound at his discretion. The department cannot act on what may have been the intention of congress, but must construe the law and apply it as it reads. It is a serious disappointment to a dozen or more ambitious places on Puget Sound, which were getting ready to present their claims for the post to a board to be appointed for that purpose. Now the claims will be presented to the secretary, who will probably be governed by the advice of the army officers who have examined the matter, and the last annual report of Gen. Otis, which recommended a post at Spokane and another at Seattle, will have great weight. The Spokane post was authorized in the army appropriation bill."

A telegram received from Mr. Lewis is as follows: "The secretary of war informs me that under the construction of the new law the army post must be located at Seattle. This means $100,000 per year income to the city."

E. O. Graves, president of the Chamber of Commerce, was seen by a Post-Intelligencer last evening in regard to the matter, and said: "This is elegant news and a stroke of Seattle's luck, although I do not believe a board of officers would choose any other site than the one recommended by Gen. Otis. I do not believe the people of this city realize the benefit the establishment of this post will be. In the first place, it means immense business to the city and Sound in general, and also means a revenue to the city of at least $10,000 a month. The estimated cost of establishing a company of 100 men is $60,000 for buildings and quarters, and it is intended that the post shall consist of four companies. The monthly payroll for each company is estimated at $8,000, making $32,000 paid out in salaries; besides these there are numerous other items.

"The establishment of the post will be an immense benefit to property owners in the vicinity, and I believe when it is once established the grounds will be a valuable addition. The officers and their families will be a valuable acquisition to the social life of the city. These are only a few of the benefits to be derived.

"People who own land can well afford to give up half to the post, as it will make the remaining half very valuable. Property owners should take this into consideration and also the good the post will do to the city in general.

"The main and subcommittee appointed by the Chamber are doing all possible in securing the site but have been compelled to proceed slowly on account of waiting for the final establishment. Now that the matter has been definitely settled the land will be ready to transfer to the government when it desires.

"The establishment is positively assured by this legislation, and the city can congratulate itself on its good fortune. Magnolia Bluffs is the key to this part of the Sound, and with the post and fortifications there not only the city will be protected, but Tacoma and all other points as well. Then again, if the matter referred to a board of officers for examination, they surely would not choose any other site than the one recommended by Gen. Otis."