The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-11
DOESN'T SCARE THEM
Northern Securities Com
pany Not a Source
Of Alarm to the
Farmers.


FARGO, N. D., Jan. 10.-Before an
audience that packed the Fargo opera
house almost to the point of suffocation,
an audience composed of the representa-
tive farmers of the states of Minnesota
and the Dakotas, President HILL of the
Great Northern railroad this afternoon
delivered an address in which he dis
cussed the relations of the railroads to
the community through which they pass,
and in which he emphasized the fact that
the prosperity of the one is dependent
on that If the other
AS was to be expected, there was no
attempt at oratory, no use Of the figures
Of rhetoric, and sonorous periods were
wholly wanting. Instead, it was a plain,
logical statement Of existing conditions.
coupled with deductions arising naturally
out of the subject and pointing out the
steps to be followed in order to insure
the fullest development of the almost
limitless possibilities Of the Northwest.
1t was impossible not to see that, in
the opinion of everyone connected with
the convention the speech of President
Hill was regarded as the big event Of
the four days session. The early morn
ing trains brought delegations from all
parts of the three states represented, in
cluding representatives Of the commercial
bodies of the cities Of st. Paul, Mime
apolis and Duluth.
By order of Mayor Johnson, to whose
untiring efforts the success of the con-
vention was largely due, the doors OF
the opera house were not opened until
1880 o'clock. Long before that hour ar
rived the street in front of the building
was packed with a crowd that struggled
good-naturedly for positions nearest the
doors, and when promptly at tre ap-
pointed time they were thrown open,
there was rush for admission that filled
the seats and aisles and fringed the
spaces next the walls with a mass of
humanity.
SURGING CROWD
RUSHED FOR SEATS
In less than twenty minutes from the
time the first one Of the awaiting crowd
had been admitted there vas not a single
inch of unoccupied space, and a vast
throng variousIy estimated at 800 to 800
people, had been turned away unable to
obtain admission. 1t was the biggest
audience the opera house has ever
held, and would probably have been twice
as large had the capacity Of the house
been adequate.
The audience to which the remarks
of the Great Northern president were adj
dressed was, in some respects, a unique
one. Looking down into the strong
thoughtful faces, bronzed by exposure to
the sun and wind it was easy to see that
here was a body Of men who called no
man master, and who were capable of
thinking and acting for themselves
Throughout the course of the entire ad-
dress they gave their undivided atten-
ton to the words of the speaker, and If
they did not agree with him in his con-
clusions, they made no outward sign
that such was the case. He was listen
ed to intently and courteously and was
frequently interrupted by hearty ap-
plause.
The consensus of opinion, as far as
could be CLEANED from conversation with
the delegates and others who heard the
speech, was that it was plain, straight
forward presentment of facts, coupled
with frank statement that a reduction
IN prevailing rates may be looked for
whenever conditions will warrant such
action being taken.
THREE GOOD TALKS
DURING THE SESSION.
The afternoon session was begun
promptly at o'clock Before any bust
ness had been transacted the arrival of
President Hill was announced AS he en-
tered, in company with Mayor Johnson
and the members of the reception COM
mittee, he was greeted by burst of ap-
plause which lasted until he had bowed
his acknowledgements and taken his
seat.
AS soon as quiet was restored. Mavor
Johnson introduced H. p Hall. Of ST
Paul, as the first speaker. Mr.. Hall was
at his best, and in short, pointed ad-
dress he reviewed the deyelopment oY
North Dakota and paid a graceful tribute
TO MT Hill and the part he has had in
the development of the state. Mr.. Hall
was followed by Honest. John Miller.
OF Duluth, the first governor Of the state
VINO spoke of the progress that had bear
made since he occupied the executive
chair. and advised his hearers to add
stllI further to their present prosperitv
py dlVersifying crops and engaging in the
raising of live stock.
AS Mr. Miller finished speaking and re-
sumed his seat, a white bearded white
haired patriarch far back in the gallery
arose and cried out: "Mr Chairman
move three cheers for Honest John Mil
Ter, the honestest governor. North Dalyota
ever had" They were given with u,iI1
President Hill was then introduced AZ
ne came forward he was greeted with an .
other outburst Of applause. Mr.. HilPs
speech was in manuscript, to Which he
closely confined himself,
Al the conclusion Of Mr.. Till's sneech
MAlcn tasted little over an hour, Budd
Reeve, North Dakota 8 frrepressibIa saa,.
was recognized by the Chairman Mr.
Reeve had message to deliver to his
hearers and when he had accomplished
the task the convention was adjourned
sine die 4'0u
At the morning session. Vice President
Hoyerstad, Of the Crookston experiment
station, was in the chair and started a
discussion on potatoes in which NAV
delegates participated. w: F. Cushing.
assistant manager Of the North Dakota
exhibit at the Pan-Amerlcan exposition,
extolled the advantages accruine to the
state from the exhibition at Buffalo. and
urged general interest and a liberal ap-