Seattle and Tacoma Spar Over Lake Washington Canal
Seattle and Tacoma trade accusations of jealousy and political maneuvering over the proposed Lake Washington Canal.
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The Seattle Press-Times reports that the Tacoma Ledger claims the construction of the Lake Washington canal means 'red-handed ruin' for Tacoma. The argument suggests that the canal is a scheme by King County to dominate commerce and siphon population from other cities. Seattle proponents argue that the canal is a matter of federal importance, citing war department reports from twenty-two years ago, and accuse Tacoma and Portland of 'small-souled jealousy' meant to bottle up Eastern Washington markets. The debate is framed as a critical issue for the upcoming election and the state's economic future.
“Tacoma and Portland against Seattle! That is what the opposition to the canal means.”
Regional rivalries between Seattle and Tacoma over infrastructure and economic dominance are as old as the cities themselves. This nineteenth-century debate over the Lake Washington canal mirrors current Seattle-area debates regarding transit projects and regional resource allocation.
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