en years at a low rental, the lessee receiving
virtually a first right to purchase.
These state lands are as good as any in the state and offer to the
homeseeker a splendid opportunity for a start.
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In this state there are also numerous tide lands, oyster lands,
and shore lands to be obtained at various prices, both from the
state and from private individuals who have already acquired title
from the state.
WATER POWER.
It is probable that no state in the Union is better equipped for
creating power than the State of Washington. Numerous waterfalls
of magnitude are already successfully utilized. Among these the
most noted are the Spokane falls, capable of producing 400,000
horse power; the Snoqualmie falls, with a sheer descent of 250
feet, with a capacity of 100,000 horse power; Puyallup river at
one place is furnishing about 20,000 horse power; the Cedar river
has a capacity of 50,000 horse wer; the Nooksack falls with 15,000
horse power already generated; Tumwater falls with 4,000 horse
power, with Chelan falls, the Meyers falls and the falls of Asotin
creek all in use to limited extent. The waters of the Yakima river
are also in use in part for power purposes, but more extensively
for irrigation. Besides these there are many minor streams already
harnessed.
But the unused water powers of the state far exceed that portion
now developed. All its streams are mountain streams, excepting
perhaps, the Snake and Columbia rivers. These mountain rivers in
a flow of 50 to 200 miles make a descent of 2,000 to 5,000 feet
in reaching sea level, providing innumerable opportunities to use
the falls already created by nature, or to divert the waters and
produce artificial falls.
No heritage of the state is of greater value and none more appreciated
than this water power. Since the introduction of electricity as
a lighting and motive force, its creation by water power looms
into immense importance. The exhibition of its achievements to
be seen in Washington today is amazing to the men whose vision
of light and power was first with the tallow dip and four-footed
beasts, and later with kerosene and steam. Electricity, created
by our water falls, lights our cities and farm homes, draws our
street cars and some railroad cars--pushes most of the machinery
used in manufactories, to the great satisfaction and profit of
our citizens.
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GAME.
The State of Washington was once a paradise for the sports
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