Graham guardian., 1902-09-05
The TranS-MiSsiSsippi Commercial
Congress,
St. Paul Mimi, Aug %


The thirteenth session of the
Trans Mississippi Commercial Con
gress concluded its deliberations
today and while the attendance has
not been as large as some Of the
preceding sessions, it has been
one full Of interest to the great
west. The subjects Of irrigation,
mines and mining, adoption Of the
territories into the union Of states
and the territorial form Of govern.
ment for Alaska, waterways and
deep harbors, good roads, western
naval school, consular service,
interstate commerce and ether
matters were considered.
On irrigation the writer present
ed resolution and made a talk
upon tho colonization of Arizona,
the settlement Of arid lands, the
resources, climate and general
good features Of the upper GiIa
valley and thanked this congress
and the irrigation congress and
President Roosevelt and the late
congress for passing the Reclama.
ton Act in our favor. The speak
ers urged upon the congress to use
its influence with the administra-
tiOn to secure immediate action
looking to the end ofbuilding reser-
voirs for the benefit of our valley.
Hon John Henry Smith, of Salt
Lake, was president and each
session was harmonious and the
work done with feeling of gener-
al interest to entire country.
The great northwest is indeed a
great and beautiful country One
hundred and thirty passenger
trains pass in and out Of ST. Paul
daily, with 10000 passengers. The
metropolis has a population of
265,0O0 and her twin city Minnie.
apolis, still more. 1t is ten miles
from center to center Of these
cities, and they join hands between
Minneapolis has the greatest flour
mill in the world, capacity 10000
barrels daily; has 400 hoppers and
25 sets ofstone grinders; has 233jig
gers and 1877 bolts. They export to
different parts Of the old world
and send 1000 pounds month to
the bakery trade of Buffalo, n. Y
The state Of MINNESOTA has 10000
lakes which of course help to form
the head waters Of Mississippi
and up from Minneapolis tor II
miles or more may be seen float
ing logs, piles Of lumber and saw
mills; Notwithstanding the cool
north they produce all kinds OF
grain, vegetables and the hardy
fruits, and the most beautiful
flowers; it is a great manufactur
ing state and produces more iron
than any other state in the union
The delegates were treated with
courtesy, though it seemed like
the people hardly knew there was
such Il distinguished gathering il
their city. The Commercial Clul
deserve great credit for their kline
consideration. They entertained
in their handsome parlors anC
took us for c,rriage ride for three
hours through the principal streets
and the wealthy residence district
ending at the great Capitol build
ing which is costing the state Sl4
100000 dollars, II is varnireC
over the entire surface with white
marble.
The blocks and public buildings
while not so high as in some cities
are all substantially built, mostly
of granite and finished with marble
! All the streets are paved and il
the residence portion beautiful
we'll kept lawns between the side
walk trees and the curb stone
little parks live and thrive, anC
| in fact it seems as though the early
builders of these cities were no
cramped for room and looked
ahead and laid the foundation
even better than they knew.
A visit to the Minnehaha falls
where the famous LongfelloW
wrote the poem on the same, Il ride
on the Mississippi on D steamer
a visit to the parks and in genera
the trip across the great state anC
visit to the twin cities is one o
great interest.
Flood waters, caused by heavy
rain has largely covered the low
lands of Iowa and parts of thii
state. For bours it seemed W.
passed through Swamps hardly
realizing but that we were on ;
boat instead Of n train Of cars
The people of the north sta
state. while American now, ar,
largely the extraction Of u foreign
people. scandinavian and Ger
man seem to predominant.
While, through the Commercial
Club we were well treated, in gen
eral the people are cold bloodcd
they will sell you Il paper for TIVE
cents and hold you up for iron
IA conts tn 50 so for a beef steak