Seattle Tries to Buy Its Own Canal

The executive committee appointed at the citizens' meeting at the Chamber of Commerce started out on the plan of appointing subcommittees to secure subscriptions and make personal solicitation for the subsidy. The object is a $300,000 subsidy to secure the filling of the tide flats and the excavation of the south canal into Lake Washington.

Committees were appointed to visit the bankers, correspond with non-resident property owners, solicit farmers and suburban property holders, visit the attorneys of the city, and canvass the business men and merchants generally. Many persons who announced pledges at the Armory on Thursday called at the waterway office yesterday and signed the subsidy contracts. Some volunteered to increase their subscriptions if necessary, and many asked for blanks to secure subscriptions from friends. The response from people of small means was very general, and although many of the subscriptions were small, the total was expected to make a large sum. The larger property owners were described as the most tardy class.

The laboring men of the city were also interested and made numerous pledges. Many who did not feel able to promise money wanted to pledge labor as the work progressed. The company said that, so far as it lay in its power, preference would be shown to residents of Seattle, especially men with families.

The executive committee requested that every person interested in the welfare of the city consider himself a committee of one to secure subscriptions in addition to his own. The committee's office was at Room 409, Bailey Building, in charge of Secretary William D. Wood. "If you know anything or can do anything to help along the work, call, or ring, or write."