New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-17
TOPICS BEFORE THE WESTERN CONGRESS
TRANSPORTATION AND FINANCE DISCUSSED
THE COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS DIVIDED

THE COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTI 0NS DIVIDED.
Kansas City, No., April 10.-Bishop Hendricks
opened the session OF the Western States Congress
today with prayer James Peabody, OF Chicago read
a paper on Railroad Pools" He said II was not so
much low cates that the shippers wanted it was stable
rates. Pools were necessary to maintain rates and
to keep them stable. As such they we're OF benefit
to the shipper as well as to the railroad.
General Charles W. Blair. of Kansas, read paper
on Transportation Affecting Commerce and
Finance"
The following telegram to PRESIDENT Francis was
received, signed by President Smith and members OF
the Executive Committee. and referred 20 the Com
mittce on Resolutions:
The undersigned, president and Executive Committee
OF the Chamber OF Commerce OF the State Of NewYork
ask permission to attention Of your honorable
body late action OF this Chamber regarding the
Improvement OF the Mississippi River and particularly the
grave Importance protecting the adjacent section from
the ravages occasioned by periodical overrows
Of the river They beg to respectfully convey
you their expressed I'm their reports and
memorials TO Congress II is matter Of national i'm
portance express the hope that may consider
this subject worthy OF the consideration OF the very
important congress which you preside.
William E. Scweppe, president Of the Wholesale
Grocers Association Of St. Louis, spoke on "Trans-
portation" The idea, he said, had long been ex-
ploded that railroads were private property. They
are now recognized as public trusts and it was Just
and right that those trusts should be regulated for
the benefit Of those who held the bonds.
General debate on the subject Of transportation fol-
lowed Senator Cochran of Missouri, spoke from the
standpoint Of railroads.
John T. Cornforth, Of Denver also spoke of the
benefits Of the railroads Speeches had been made be-
fore this congress by men who condemned the rail-
roads. These same men had come West and had
bought Government land at 81 % per acre. and were
now Offering for for $3.50 and 5000 per acre. and
giving as for the high price the single TACT
that railroad passed through their land. Missouri
Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and several Of the North
western States had navlgabls waterways. They were
independent of the railroads. But there was vast
domain west of the most eastern navigable waterway
that comprised over half Of the United States terri
tory which had no waterways. They were dependent
upon the railways James Madison, OF MISSISSIPPI,
Speaker of the lower house of the Legislature OF that
State NJ Martin Williams, of Missouri; state senator
Switzer, of Nebraska, and Others spoke.
jay L. Torrey, of st. Louis, read paper on " UNI
form Commercial Laws" and devoted particular ateh'
ton TO the subject OF bankrupt law sidney ClarA,
OF Oklahoma, read paper on the Indian quesuoh anu
the opening Of Indian lands. A. j. Warner OF ONO,
addressed the Congress on the subject "helauoh VI
Money to Bank Credits" Judge r. NJ. wldney, OF Los
Angeles Cal, read paper on /" National Money oSs,
tenn The circulating medium must be increased SAID
Mr. Widney Addresses were made upon the money
Question by T. S. Coast, Of Illinois, and Professor
Blackmar, of Kansas. -,
The Commercial Club gave reception TO tpe dele
gates this evening.
The interest in the western States Commercial Con-
gross now centres in the report Of the Committee on
Resolutions. The committee completed its work this
afternoon and the report will be submitted tomorrow
The action OF the committee not unanimous alic
there will be a minority report The majority and the
minority reports agree in all respects however, except
ing on three resolutions, follows: First favorne
free coinage Of silver; second, favoring the issue o.
lcgaltender notes redeemable in gold and silver In
quantity sufficient to do the business OF the country
third favoring tariff for revenue only Upon these
three propositions the members Of the committee could
not agree The majority favored the propositions and
the minority opposed them. When 1t came to vote
as to whether they should be included In the report the
vote stood IL for and against - =, A.
The other resolutions which will be included IN botn
reports praise Secretary Rusk for his conduct OF the az
fairs of the Agricultural Department and favor the I'm
provcment by the Federal Government OF the Mlssls
spp River the irrigation by the National Government
of arid lands, the consummaon OF treaties OF recproc
ity with countries with which the United States ex
changes products and the construction by the fedea
Government Of q deep-water harbor ON the Gull On
Mexico.