The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-09

Senator L. p. King Of Cowley county,
chairman of the executive committee OF
the Gulf and Interstate Transportation
association, recently issued a call Cor the
day. There are only four members that
constitute the executive committee and
only one, Mr.. R B. Forest, of e. Reno,
came to the meeting. There not being a
quorum present no business was trans
acted. They did considerable telegraph
ing to Mr.. j. B. Wells Of Brownsville,
Texas, and 70 Mr.. Warwick Saunders OF
Omaha, the other two members. From
unavoidable reasons they found that
they could not be present.
Last May the committee met in Guth-
RE and il was then decided 70 hold the
convention in Omaha, that city holding
ont special inducements in the shape OF
promising an auditorium, printing, ad-
vertising and all legitimate expenses if
the committee would decide on Omaha
as the convention city. At that time
Wichita was a bidder for the convention
berS of the executive committee, and also
a member OF the board of trade OF Oma-
Ia, was present and had the authority
TO negotiate on behalf Of Omaha his city
was chosen. Al that time Messrs King
and Forest were more favorable 10 Wien
ita, but owing to the delay Of the Com
mercial clubs proposition they voted Cor
Omaha. The date Of the convention
was set for September End. Omaha fail
ed to fulfill her part OF the contract and
asked that the convention be postponed
until November Is, when they would
make up for the delay. MeSsrs. King
and Forest think that Omaha has for
feited the right 10 the convention, and
as both of the gentlemen were for Wich-
tia in the first place it Is likely that this
city Will get the convention if they hold
out the same inducements as they did
before. In order 10 get the convention It
will be necessary for the Commercial
club to furnish the Auditorium and ad-
vertising necessary besides postage for
the large amount of correspondence that
will be done. The object Of the Gulf and
Interstate association is for the purpose
of getting cheaper freight rates to the
gulf ports. As il is now the railroads
charge as much for hauling a hundred
pounds Of freight TO Galveston as they
do TO New York, and the distance is only
half as far to Galveston as it is to the
Atlantic seaboard. The committee are
agitating the question of cheaper freight
rates in the hope that the railroads Will
comply to their requests when presented
by such large number Of people. Should
that fail then a bill similar in constru,-
ton will be presented 10 the legislatures
OF the different states interested.
II is proposed to send invitations 10
every commercial and farmers club and
TO all the boards Of trade in the west
and south Besides this, every governor
Of the Mississippi valley states will be
given the power 10 send delegates % the
convention. From this II is expected
that there will be between 1.5O0 and 1000
people present. The convention Will
probably last three days and there will
be men present from every walk in life.
For whatever city that gets the conven-
ton il will be a big advertisement and
this city seems 10 be in the lead.
Chairman King will probably write the
other members and decide on the da &c
and place of holding the convention.