El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-04-16

ed by the governors OF the seVerai
states and territories. There Will also
be in attendance numerous represe nta-
twas Of the leading comercial organi-
zation of the west.
Within ten years the Trans-Misslss-
ippi Commercial Congress has grown
into an institution of national import
ance. Theeleventh annual session, BE-
gins tomorrow ard closes on the list.
Twill eclipse in size and scope any pre-
yious meeting of the body. Unusual
interest is manifested in the congress
this year, not only because 1t Is the
first time session hes been held in the
southwest, but because the acquisition
of tie Philippines and the control Of
the trade of the West Indies puts the
United States at the threshold OF
new era in its commercial history. Io
meet the new conditions aud gain for
the west every possible advantage for
the widening of trade and the opening
of new m arkets will be one of the aims
of the congress.
But this is only one of the many
subjects to be discussed. The congress
is made up of practical men who have
studied the great questions affecting
the development of that vast region
west of the Mississippi river. They
meet once year to give expression to
their best thoughts and officially voice
their sentiments on the various measur-
es of concern to the west. These men
have been likened to the heart and the
brain of the west-the heart in the
material interests they represent aud
the brain in the direction and control
they exercise over the channels of
business.
Such gathering cannot but COM
mand the attention of the nation
Upon the removal of the barriers to a
broader trade depends the develop
ment of every industry. Remarkable
as has been the growth of the Trans
Mississippi country, it is but small in
comparison to what is possible. From
the mines, the farms. the forests and
the prairies of the west only a fraction
of the amount OF ore, grain, lumber.
cattle and other products is shipped
today to what is possible under the
best domestic economy and the broad |
est markets l. is nos only TO open new
markets for the products, to
lessen the cost of transportation |!
and 90 bring about
closer and better relationship between |
producer and consumer tnat the Trans /,
Congress strives, but to |
advance domestic economy by the uti- /
lization of irrigation on arid lands, to |
foster which improvement is com !
necessity, and to engender
unity of action and harmony of move
meut among the states of the west in
all matters concerning the whole west.
The subjects to be discussed cover
wide field and embrace: Good Roads,
Drainage, Need for Home Factories,
Exports and Imports Through Gulf
and Pacific Porte, Irrigation, Rivers
The Pacific Gable, The Merchant
Marine, The St. Louis Worlds Fair
in 1903. Trade with the Orient, The
Consular Service, Statehood, Railroad
The Preservation
Of Forests, Beet Root Sugar, .
Trade with Mexico. and Advantages ,
)fAmerican Travel.
The men who make up the Traus-Mis- ]
issippi Commercial Congress know ,
hat all wealth is dug out of the earth. {
Many of the delegates to the congress
nave been diegers. They believe in the
richness of the lands of {
ihe west, and they are intent upon