Boosters Pass the Hat for the Ship Canal

The subscription drive for the proposed south canal gathered momentum yesterday as out-of-town subscribers swelled the fund for the Lake Washington Waterway Company.

The amount raised yesterday was $460, and the total sum now passes the $4,000 mark. The precinct committees have not yet been heard from, and the aggregate of pledges secured but not yet reported cannot even be estimated, though a neat sum is thought to have been realized.

Out-of-town subscriptions came in more freely, including two of $1,000 each and one of $250. The Clinton Stone and Coal Company, of Tacoma, sent in a note for $1,000; F. R. Wittier, of St. Louis, sent in $1,000; and Louis Sohns, of Vancouver, Wash., mailed his note for $250.

Accompanying the note from the Clinton Stone and Coal Company was the following letter:

'Realizing the great benefit that the construction of the south canal must necessarily be to the entire state of Washington, as well as to the city of Seattle, and believing it to be to our interest and therefore our duty to further the project, we beg to subscribe the amount of $1,000 to the subsidy fund. Wishing you every success in your great undertaking, we are yours very truly, CLINTON STONE COAL CO., by J. O'Connor, President.'

Mr. Wittier will be remembered by nearly every one in Seattle, for during his residence here and his connection with the Union Trunk line and other enterprises he became noted as an energetic and public-spirited citizen. He writes from St. Louis, and besides his $1,000 pledge sent the following graceful note:

'Inclosed please find my note for $1,000 as my contribution to the subsidy fund. Please acknowledge receipt and oblige. If there are any persons in St. Louis who should contribute to the fund I will be pleased to call on them if you give me names. Hoping that you will be successful in raising the entire sum at an early day, I remain…'

Mr. Sohns' letter read:

'Responding to your circular of the 8th inst., I herewith enclose my note for $250, duly executed. Being interested in the progress of Seattle, I deem it my duty to assist and aid the enterprise in which you have embarked. If the committee should think that my contribution does not come up in proportion to my property interests, that will be remedied. I will increase it. Wishing you success, I remain…'

Volunteer solicitors N. A. Steppler and B. L. Sizer did good work yesterday; Mr. Steppler brought in $360 and Mr. Sizer $340. The call for volunteers who are notaries to go into the country districts and take land acknowledgments met with a flattering response. Yesterday J. W. Kutz, C. J. Vandervoort, H. S. [—] and Frank S. Southard called at the offices of the committee and announced that they were ready for assignments.