St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-04-12
ENTHUSED The CLUB.
Commentaries Enjoy a Talk
on Commerce and Trade
7 Relations.
S. A. Thompson, Of Duluth,
Exploits Some Favorite
Theories
On Reciprocity With Canada
and the Deep Water
Canals.
Talk Of Advertising the Com
ing National Events in
st. Paul.


The Co numerical club held very i'm
pOrtant and interesting monthly meet
ing last night, and the members pres
ent were enthused over the prospects of
the seven conventions of national i'm
pOTtance TO be held in the city during
the summer. The club was greatly in
terested in an address that was delivered
by S. A. Thompson, secretary of the
chamber of commerce of the city of
Duluth, on deep Waterways and Reel
prOcity." Mr.. Thompson las remark
able oratorical ability, and is most
thoroughly posted on these two topics
that are agitatlng the civilized world.
His address was especially interesting
in view of the fact that the reciprocity
and deep waterways convention will be
held in this city the same week as the Hill
celebration occurs. The club was
greatly enthused 10y the able address of
Mr.. Thompson, and in addition to voting
him the thanks of the club, decided to
make special efforts to make the coming
convention of national Importance.
Every town and city in the United
States will be invited to send delegates,
and many foreign gentlemen of ability
are expected to be present to discuss
the subject. 1t is proposed to have
James j. Hill to address this conven-
ton on the railroad side of Transports
ton, and a reply will be made by S. A.
Thompson and others on water trans
portation. The club also decided to ap-
point committee to act in conjunction
with the other commercial bodies of
the city in making the reciprocity and
waterways convention mammoth af-
fair.
Chairman Vanish introduced Mr..
Thompson to the club in a short speech
that commended him to the earnest con-
sideration of the members. Mr.. Thomp-
son spoke for an hour, and was greeted
with Oft-repeated applause. During his
address he said:
My. Thorn psOn's Views.
"rhe people of this section OF the
country are not only interested In the
country to the south of us, but also that
section TO the north" Speaking OF the
coming reciprocity convention, he SAID
its work is national in character and the
commercial and trade bodies of
ali the country should be in
vited to st. Paul to attend it.
and discuss the relations between the
nations. He declared that the work of
that convention will not be mere boys
play, but is of great interest to men
to discuss deeper international water
ways. lie said he was not at liberty to
speak of all things done in the matter
Of deep waterways, but he would re
peat what he had said before, that the
actions of Canada in the retaliation
treaty were not entirely fair.
While he believes in reciprocity, he
favors a reciprocity that will not be
Oue-Sided, but that the Canadian au-
thoritieS should be bound by any agree
ment or treaty made, as well as this
country. He expressed the belief that,
whilst the object OF the convention may
not Ge ultimate, yet it will take form
that will
Encourage Trade Relations,
if not commercial union. In his view,
we do not want conquered possessions
or territory, but free will interchange OF
products, secured by peaceable agree
ment.
Mr.. Thompson then reviewed the to-
biography and commercial affairs of Can
ada. to show the advantages OF closer
trade relations between it and this
country. He spoke of the modified eli
mate and the grain, mineral and vegeta-
bic products of the northern country,
extending to the coast of Alaska, and
argued the advantage of freer trade re-
lations with that country. lie declared
that the development III British Amer
lea will be benefit to the Twin Cities
here and at the head of the lakes that
will seem like the fairy tale OF Aladdin's
palace.
He believed that it was not folly in
Seward to purchase Alaska and to de-
clare that the center Of power and COM
meree will be in the state Of Minnesota.
r.Thompson was thoroughly at home
on the subject of deep waterways as
! well as of reciprocity, and discuSSe
the former with as much enthusiasm as
as he did the latter. He cOntrOverted
the proposition that railroads would
drive out waterway tranSporta-
ton, and claimed that the cheap
freights Oh canal, river and lake Will
bring boat transportation to the front In
competition with rail freighting, because
the former costs but One-twenty-sixth as
mach as rail transportation. Mr..
| Thomson claimed that with elgh-
teen foot depth of channel from
Duluth to Buffalo, boats can be used
that will cut the
Present Low Freight Rate
nv water down one-half, and he thinks
] that within five years wheat will be
carried from Duluth to Buffalo for one
| cent per bushel. instead of the present
price of three cents.
Mr.. Thompson spoke in high terms of
the work done and being done by
James J. Hill in railroad as well as
boat transportation. Figures were
| given to show that freight is transport
ed much more rapidly by water than
by the ordinary freight train. He eX-
pressed the belief that in the present
generation boats from all ports
of the earth will enter and de-
part from ports on the great lakes.
He urged that men should be elected to
congress who favor deep waterways and
reciprocity, and make the people OF our
state original exporters and importers.
Facts were given to show that twenty
foot waterway is deep enough to accom-
modate the great majority of ocean yes
sells, and that half of the steamers on
the lakes are suitable for ocean traffic.
Mr.. Thompson declared in favor of an
American deep waterway before going
to the aid of Canada with the st. Law
renee canal outlet. His theory was to
let the foreigners build their own canals
until after we have done something in
that line at home.
Advertising Scheme.
Fl. S. Fairchild addressed the club fol
short time on the Importance of adj.
vertising the city with literature and
pictorial views. He said that the Real
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