Mr, David Whitcomb, President of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, after describing how Seattle had grown in 73 yours from nothingness to be the twentieth city in the Une ited States, said In commerce it has already: made wonderful record. Our Washington Customs District, of which Seattle {the chief port, yanks tiest in total value of Imports and the United states Customs Dist on the Paeifle Coast. Our foreign trade in the last four years has 4 creased fro 8175,000,000 to G. 126,000,000, 70 per cent. of the States ports moved over Seattle docks, and 80 per cent. of all trans-Pacific mail moved through the Seattle Post Office. Seattle ranked second to New York last year in the number of passengers entering United States through seaport ties, the history of all world trade that commerce moves by the shortest, quickest route. The immutable law of distance fixes trade routes and commerce. The ste, President MeKinley on which we came, fol-Jowing: the great circle from Seattle, sailed 1,179 miles less than do the ships over the usually travelled southern route via Honolulu, have been speaking in particular of Seattle, which merely illustrates the rapid development of all. parts of our Pacific Northwest, Oregon and Washington, with our leading cities of Portland, Tacoma and Seattle all represented on this Commission are proud of the healthy growth of our section of the United States.
You will agree with us, Lam sure, that the civilization which started in the Orient thousands of years ago, before recorded history began, and has steadily traveled westward, has reached the Pacific Ocean again, modified by differing environme developed by the many diverse peoples of ages past and present.
Science has made us neighbours A few days by steamer, a few hours by airplane, a few seconds by cable or by wireless, and we sre joined together. We ave carrying on more trade with each other to the mutual pleasure.and profit of us both. But such intercourse has truly only just begun, It is in the spirit of service that the Seattle Chamber of Commerce has organized this present business commission. We have come to you to learn more of your country and of your people. We shall hope to tell' you more even. than you now know of our country.and of our people. And we shall present with all the force we possess an earnest invitation to visit us as frequently as you can, and to make the Seattle Chamber of Commerce your headquarters.
'The members of the commission sailed on Sunday on the str. Pre ent McKinley. for Hongkong and Manila, where' they will endeavour to. interest other businessmen in the forthcoming 12th annual convention of the National "Foreign Trade Council,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.