The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-22
PAVING THE WAY.
Commercial Club Endorses Lewis d
Clark Exposition as Preliminary.

To pave the way for the appropria-
ton which several of the big officials
of the Lewis and Clark exposition to
be given at Portland next year, will
ask the Kansas legislature for this
winter, Manager Tom Richardson,
manager of the Portland Commercial
club, told the members of the Topeka
Commercial club Friday night what
the big Pacific coast show is to be
like, and in that way fired the first
boom gun in Kansas.
A resolution was adopted on the
strength of Mr.. Richardson's presenta-
tons, which was as follows:
whereas: The Lewis and Clark
Centennial exposition and Oriental
fair to be held at Portland, Oregon,
June 1st to October 18th, 1905, is to
be international in Importance, ana
complete United States government ex-
hibit and.
Whereas: The state of Kansas,
which furnishes a larger surplus of
food products than any other state, is
interested in the upbuilding of the
Pacific coast and increased trade with
that section, Alaska and the Orient,
and,
whereas: This exposition given in
the Pacific northwest will attract the
attention of hundreds of thousands of
travellers to Kansas and to all other
western states and viii for that reason
sissippi region, therefore be it
Resolved: That the Topeka CONNER
cial club not only congratulate the
people of Portland and oregon upon
their enterprise, but urges the people
of Kansas and other states to partici-
pate in exh ibiting their resources and
in attending the exposition, for 1t is
the firm belief of the members of the
Topeka Commercial club that a trip
across the country to Portland will
make every man and woman prouder
OF the Republic in which they live
and necessarily better Americans.
Mr.. Richardson first took up what
he called the debt which number
of the newly opened western ports owe
to Kansas. He called this the surplus
producing one of the union, and Incl
Kansas grain would find an outlet
through Portland to the Orient. In
spea king of Topeka proper he said:
You are under the shadow of KAN
Milwaukee is under the shadow of
Chicago, but it has a population of
$4,000 You have one of the pref
test cities in the country. You need
have no fear of Kansas City. Your
opportunities are great. over in St
Joe $500 people are employed in pro-
ducing ready-made garments. That is
also a chance for you. That is one of
the natural industries of a town of
Topeka's size"
After explaining at length and in de-
tail the workings of the Portland Com
mercial club Mr.. Richardson pointed
out that the uniform dues of the To-
peka organization of 81 per year is
wrong and unfair. He urged that
every man ought to pay according to
his blessings-some only 81, while
lated what the men of Portland sub
scribe to boom their city. and the sums
are astounding.
Mr.. Richardson gave the irrespop-
sible newspaper correspondents who
send out wild stories about Kansas
hard rap. and urged the Commercial
club to see that they stop it. He said
that in New Orleans at the time of
the big food, while he was a member
of the chamber of commerce, he with
a committee went to the Western
Union and Postal telegraph offices and
to the Associated Press, and threat
ened damage suits in case any over
drawn and harmful stories were sent
out. The desired effect was gained.