The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-06-02
Switches From Discussion Of Economic
Problems to Commercial Projects.
Papers Read ON Equitable Freight
Rates, Improvement Of the
Mouth Of the Mississippi and
the Subsidizing Of the Merchant
Marine, the Latter With Spec
can Commerce.

WICHITA, June 1.-The trend of de-
velopment in the spirit and purpose CT
the Trans Mississippi Congress from
the discussion of economic problems to
the outlining and advocating of conf
mercial projects was noticeable in a
marked degree in to-day's proceedings,
when transportation and freight rates
came to the front, almost exclusively.
Papers We're read on equitable freight
rates, improvement of the mouth OF the
Mississippi and the substituting Of the
merchant marine, the latter with spe-
cial reference to the South American
commerce. Besides this Ex-Governor
Francis of Mississippi. presented the
Louisiana purchase before the congress.
A division has developed in the con-
gres over the form of resolutions ask
ing Federal aid for irrigation systems,
one party advocating the building OF
storage reservoirs by the Government.
the other wanting cession of arid lands
to States and Territories, they to build
their own reservoirs.
Election of officers was the chief bus
iEess transacted.
To-day's session of the congress
opened at $50.
Governor Shaw of Iowa wired his
approval of the objects of the meeting,
and his regrets.
Ex-Governor Prince of New Mexico
introduced a resolution declaring that
the Carey Act should be so amended as
to be equal in it's operation over Terri
tories and States. The Act relates to
the cession of public lands for irriga-
ton purposes.
w. P. Ross of New Orleans presented
a paper on the necessity Of keeping the
mouth of the Mississippi River open.
He said the Mississippi would be a
great harbor as far as st. Louis, and
even to Kansas City, if the mouth was
kept open.
A. J. Sanders of New Orleans followed
on the same subject.
There are a flood of resolutions in the
hands of the committee bearing on
every subject mentioned in the pro-
gran, and upon many others
Congressman Flynn of Oklahoma pre-
Sented one asking that American built,
American owned and American manned
ships be given the carrying of our for
eign commerce.
The officers elected are as follows
President, E. o. Stanard of ST. Louis
First Vice President, Walter Gresham,
Galveston, Texas; Second Vice Presi-
dent, L. B. Prince, New Mexico; Third
Vice President, E. " Smalley, Mime
sofa; Fourth Vice President, J. Hudson
Mcknight Wichita.
The election of Secretary and Assist
ant was deferred until the next meet
ing point is named.
The Committee on Permanent Organi-
cation recommended that the CONNER
cial Travellers of America" be allowed
ten delegates to be chosen from Trans
Mississippi States and Territories.
The selection of the time and place Of
the next congress was fixed for 8 O'Clock
to- morrow night.
j. H. Pitkin of New Orleans opened
the afternoon session with a paper on
Foreign Commerce and How to Pro-
mote It." He advocated the subsidiz-
ing of American steamer lines to ply
to South American ports. Mr. Pitkin
gave shipping and trade statistics to
the point, collected during service in a
diplomatic capacity.
Ex-Governor Fishback of Arkansas
addressed the Congress on equitable
freight rates.
Ex-Governor David r. Francis of
Missouri presented the Louisiana Pur-
chase Fair at the afternoon session. He
outlined the plan adopted at st. Louis
for raising $15,0OOO0O, five million by
subscription, five million by bonding
the city and five million to be secured
as loan from the Federal Government,
and urged the delegates to cooperate in
their respective States by working upon
their Congressional delegations to sup
port the desired loan appropriation.
As Ex-Governor Francis sketched the
history of the Louisiana Purchase
every incidental allusion to the Spanish
war or expansion was unanimously
cheered. The same approval has ac-
companied such utterances throughout
the session.