Olympia's Boosters Had a Plan for the Tide Flats: Give Land to Factories

An improvement company for the purpose of encouraging the location of manufacturing establishments on the tide lands of the city has been organized with A. H. Chambers, O. C. White, W. T. McDonald, G. A. Mottman and J. W. Robinson as incorporators. The company has been formed to purchase, receive, hold, improve, mortgage, lease and transfer tide lands and other property in and around the city of Olympia and Thurston county, for the purpose of encouraging and developing the manufacturing, shipping and general commercial interests of the city of Olympia and Thurston county, and to donate under proper restrictions and guarantee such portions of the tide lands and other property, so as aforesaid acquired, to any person or corporation desiring to engage in manufacturing or other commercial pursuit within said city or county; the quantities of such property to be donated to be governed by the kind of manufactory, the extent and future value of the enterprise guaranteed and the size of its weekly pay roll. To secure the co-operation of the city, state and national government in converting the tide flats in front of and near Olympia into a deep water navigable harbor; to revive the shipping interests of the city and county, and to do all other things necessary to accomplish and carry into effect the purposes of organization. This looks like business. Every citizen of Olympia should give it his hearty support morally and financially. It is not a "freezeout" or exclusive money-making corporation, but is a company formed for the best interests of the state capital.