Between the harbor of Tacoma as it was in 1880 and as it is to-day there is as strong a contrast as between a wilderness and a walled city, and yet the harbor of the city of ten years hence will present a still stronger contrast. Along the western shore of Commencement bay run the numerous tracks of the Northern Pacific, along which have been erected most costly wharfs, warehouses, docks, coal bunkers and numerous other commercial facilities. Saw mills have multiplied and other factories are being located. On the opposite page is given an engraving of a portion of the water front, showing coal bunkers, saw mill and other features. Between the row of piles on the right of the foreground and the city, which lies to the left, is the channel of Puyallup river, not accessible to vessels at low tide. Here most extensive improvements have been planned, consisting of dredging the channel and constructing deep water docks along both sides of it. An immense area of mud flats lies back of the row of piling mentioned, which will be cut off from water by this work, and rendered available for commercial purposes. Here will be located factories, warehouses and wholesale stores of the future city. A mammoth saw mill is already being constructed on the flats. By this means large additions will be made to the water front, already six miles in length, and the docks and channel will pierce the heart of the city. Objection has sometimes been made to the fact that the harbor is so deep that vessels can not anchor near the docks. There is good holding ground farther out in the bay, and the docking facilities being provided will remove any possible objection. In its harbor Tacoma has all that is required by the largest city in the world.