Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-10-18

our destiny, and it i our constant aim,
regardless OF temporary barriers cr unto
ward ciTcumS tauce- to more completely ful-
fill the prophecy of those saSes Of our earl
Ter history.
Railroads.
No combination of the forces of men
and nature wields such tremendous power
over the destiny of communities as those
highways of commerce, the railroads. 1t
is worthy of note that while the long and
short haul clause OF the interstate com
merre law operates as a modifying in
fluence against large trade ceuters: and
while many railroad officials are proclaim
ing against the building up Of large cite
and while rate making Is more scientific
and more the work OF experts than ever
before. the object being 10 obtain for the
carriers all possible returns from every sit
uation; Vet the inevitable logic of events
points to the building up of market towns.
our retiring president in his inaugural ad-
dress drew attention to the fact that in tn
past history of the world large cities were
only possible on navigaDle waterways. he
claimed that Kansas City was un-
doubted exception To this rule. | may add
that the conditions which limited populous
centers to waterways are passing forever.
Inventive genius is changing all this.
Large cities Of the future are possible
where there is no navigation. II is too
soon to predict what the influence Of liqut-
fed air or even electricity may have upon
the method and cost OF freight trauSpOrta-
ton. but the change now taking place Is
due to the rapid substitution of heavy
bridges of steel and masonry for those Of
wood resting piiinC. the laying of the
| l"J-pound steel rail; the adoption OF the
mOgul engine and the !tJ,,Gi-pound ca
pacity car: these improvements are re-
| ducine the cost of transportation and to-
| day many of the roads estimating tho
| cost II carriage at so much per train mile
This transformation now going on rem
| ders II necessary in the future that center.
| for the accumulation Of food products anC
merchandise shall exist for the convenience
| of the railroads in transporting property II
| large bulk Kansas city is logically .
supply depot of the future for he ear,
! riers and a storage place for the prod Icts
| of the field. the mine and the workshop
| but while this time is coming We lind i
necessary to continually guard agans
| freight IiScrimina tons. the Conse licences
| of which might be appalling to those of u:
now on earth. 1t is of the utmost value Il
this community that we support the worl
| of our
Transportation Bureau.
| we find it necessary to constantly re
mind the common carriers. enjoying spe
| cial irnmunt!es and privileges: conferred
upon them by the repres. natives of tht
| people. that they must not become alb
sOrbed in the business of getting dividend:
! into the purse as to forget that com-lun
| ties Iani especially this community haV,
some natural rights of which they must no
| be deprived
Civic Pride.
Il will not presume further upon an oc
casIon more especially intended FOR goo,
| fellowship by attempting to elaborate upol
the work of this club for the coming year
| Suffice it 10 say that many interesting top
| les are awaiting consideration at ou
| hands csnuOt close these remarks
| however. without reference to subiec
| which should take the deepest hold apo!
| our people. 1t l. not enough that we al
| have d great love for the city of ou
| hcmes. but | would impress upon NV f-l
| low members OF the Commercial CLUB th'
| Importance To all our people of inculcatin;
| a reverance Tor civic pride. Let it be un
| derstcod that We are building up 4 Cit
| not alone on commercial lines: that w
are not sojourning here solely for -nateria
| gain: but that We are constantly cndeay
| oring to make il more of a city Of health
cleanliness, beauty and happiness; piac
where one may ind rest Is well as actlv
ity. This feeling of pride in our cit!
| should peruedte every department an
every eInpIoye of our city government. am
should exist in the breast of every citizen
Gentlemen, | pledge 10 this club my bcs
efforts the coming year, and bespeak you
kindly aid and support
New Custom.
Gardiner I.athrop acting as master o
ceremonies. took the floor 10 announce til
inauguration of new custom. 1t Wa
Il that hereafter at each annual meeting tn
Roll of Honor would be called. The rol
consisted Of the names of the former pres
iients of the club.
The master of ceremonies is not expect
|, cd to make a speech said Mr.. LathrOp
but | want TO announce that II was
unanimous vote of the entertainment com
mittee to begin what we hope will be con
tinued by our successors. calling the rOl
:. of honor the names of the men who hav
been presidents in the past. hope eac!
will give Us A word of encouragement"
The frst name called by Mr.. Lathro
was that of W. r. Grimes. Mr.. Crime
vas not present: the second president O
the club. Mr. L. E. Irwin. is dead. and III
third on the list was Frank a. Eaxo!
II a semi-humorous address Nj. Faxo