The only mills which manufacture flour for export are located at Tacoma, one already turning out two hundred barrels daily, and another with a capacity of six hundred barrels about to be erected.
The value of wheat shipped from Tacoma in 1889 was estimated to exceed six million dollars, and it was believed that this amount would be more than doubled in 1890, which it has been, without doubt, but, owing to the overproduction of East Washington this year, and the confusion ensuing upon the crowded condition of warehouses, and lack of vessels to take it away, the wheat export is still an unknown quantity.
Few in number as are the exports of Tacoma, they are the same as those of the older Puget Sound towns. The time is hastening, but has not yet arrived, when manufactures shall be carried on upon a scale to exceed the local demand or even to reach it. In the mean time imports are large. The only cargoes going East besides lumber, shingles, and coal are ship-loads of tea from the Orient, five of which in 1888 aggregated eleven million eight hundred and ninety-six thousand six hundred and eighty pounds.
The various small industries of the city employ an aggregate capital of over five million dollars, and employ more than three thousand persons.
The commercial banks of Tacoma are nine in number, with two savings-banks, six of the commercial banks being national and three private. The aggregate capital of the nine is one million one hundred and ninety thousand dollars, and of the two, one hundred and thirtj^ thousand dollars. The deposits of seven of the nine amounted in September, 1889, to four million one hundred and ten thousand and thirteen dollars, an increase of over a million in three months. The city's finances are reported in a sound condition, and its debt small for the amount of territory covered, showing good management.
The Chamber of Commerce of Tacoma was organized in February, 1884, its first president being General J. W. Sprague; vice-presidents, J. M. Buckley and W. J. Thompson; treasurer, Byron Barlow; secretary, Edmund Bice. It has played an important part in the development of the city and its most important industries. Its first building was erected several years
