The Big Ditch That Would Make Seattle a Seaport
In 1892 Senator Squire tried to slip $500,000 for a Lake Washington ship canal into the federal river-and-harbor bill, while Senator Dolph worried about Columbia River money.
San Francisco, April 20.—A Washington special says: In anticipation of the passage by the House of the river and harbor bill, Senator Squire is strenuously urging upon the Senate Committee on Commerce the necessity for speed in action upon his bill to appropriate $500,000 to begin construction of a canal which will ultimately cost about $4,000,000, to connect the waters of Lake Union and Lake Washington with Puget Sound. The committee will report favorably upon the bill, and at the instance of Senator Squire will incorporate it as an amendment to the river and harbor bill when that measure reaches the Senate. The principal objection, it is said, comes from Senator Dolph, who fears that Congress cannot be induced to embark upon another project of this magnitude without interference with the scope of the Columbia River improvements. But Senator Squire feels that he can secure a majority of the committee on his scheme.
“The committee will report favorably upon the bill, and at the instance of Senator Squire will incorporate it as an amendment to the river and harbor bill.”
The canal Squire was fighting for became the Lake Washington Ship Canal, with the Ballard Locks and Montlake Cut, opened in 1917. It remade Seattle's geography and economy and remains a case study in how federal infrastructure money shapes a city. The 1892 fight also shows the old Seattle-vs.-Columbia River rivalry over public dollars.
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