City of Seattle Records

Slough from passing that point is quite within reach if those interested will unite in an effort to obtain it.

The complaints of the suffering farmers have lately become louder than usual from the fact of excessive rainfall and the fact that Cedar river has partly changed its course allowing Black river to fill up to a certain extent thus retarding the outflow.

The farmers of the upper Snohomish valley petitioned the Co. Commissioners for a ditch and a preliminary survey was mde but residents of the lower valley protested on account of the height of Lake Wash. and the matter was dropped.

Last winter petitions were presented to the Co. Commissioners asking them to dig a canal that should lower the Lake but they inform us that there is no law under which they can proceed.

Then an effort was made to get [?] from the Washington Improvement Co. that with the offer in hand, an effort might be made to raise the necessary funds, this failed.

The Chamber of Commissioners has repeatedly agitated the matter and taken legal advice thereon, but nothing came of it. New impetus was given the matter by an offer of A. E. Chaffey, Manager of the Northwest Bridge Co. to dig the ditch and take land as part payment.

About a month ago a meeting was held which appointed committees and Right-Of-Way Engineering and Finance.

The Right-Of-Way Com. finally succeeded in getting a reply from the Washington Improvement Co. but as they demanded $5000.00 per year, that we get them right of way across the Denny & Hoyt's addition and turn them back the canal with our improvements at the end of two years, their offer was not accepted.

The Committee then succeeded in getting right of way across the University land, the regents giving the privilege to dig to the Co. Mr. Blewitt who has reserved 100 feet for canal purposes through Denny & Hoyt Ad. offers a license to dig either to us or to the city.