Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1904-09-29

Life and enthusiasm prevailed in
the sessions of the Oregon Develop
ment League which was held here on
Friday. 1t was undoubtedly the best
meeting of its character ever held in
Southern Oregon and exerted an
awakening influence that will have a
beneficial effect for some time to
come.
Visitors were many from all the
Southern Oregon towns. Roseburg
and Douglas co unity sent some 70
delegates and there was good at
tendance from Jackson county. The
greater number of delegates from the
latter place arrived on the evening
train.
The afternoon session was called to
order at 2:30 with vice president F..
J. Blakely of Roseburg in the chair.
The program was initiated with a
piano solo by Miss Laura Parker,
which was approximately received by
the audience.
In behalf of the city of Grants Pass,
Mayor H. L. Gilkey delivered an ad-
dress of welcome to the delegates.
The Douglas county delegation
through Senator Sharp as spokeman,
took advantage of the occasion to
honor one of their number, Col.
Buick, who has been identified with
Douglas county's progress since
pioneer times. Col Buick was pre-
sented with diamond locket and in
brief speech expressed his appre'
citation of the honor
L. L. Smith, president of the Ore
gon Development league, extended
the thanks of that organization fol
the hospitality of the Grants Pas'
people. Vice. President f. ]. Blakely
followed with an expression of thankl
in behalf of the Southern Oregon di
vision of the league.
Tom Richardson, secretary of tn,
Oregon Development League, told thu
history of the league and explained
its workings. 1t was born, he said
on August 2, and as one result o
its inauguration, Oregon has nov
more working organizations than AM
other state in the union.
One of the objects of the league Il
to promote correspondence with east
ern people who might be induced t.
come to Oregon. The league pro
poses to furnish photo engraved lette
heads, made local in every particula
to organizations holding memberships
A membership in the league costs :
and only one orgain zation in tow
can hold a membership. On receip
of the mem bership fee the organiza
tion is given thousand of these let
ter heads, which will, by illustra
tions, be descriptive of Oregon in
dustries and which will bear som
information regarding the state an
will give addresses of men to who1
the prospective immigrant may writ
for other and more complete informa
tion.
At the close of his speech, MI
Richardson requested all who woul
promise within week to write a let
ter to some friend in the east, or t
some newspaper ontsi de of the state
bearing on the Inducements offered b
Oregon to the homeseeker, to rise {
their feet. So impressed was tn
audience with the enthusiasm Of th
speakers remarks, that they rose a
most unanimously.
0. p. Coshow of Roseburg expresso
his entire confidence in Oregon's r.
sources, which are as yet merel
touched 1t was time, he said, fC
the people Of Oregon to awake
their interests.
A. H. Carson spoke Of the impor
ance Of the present residents develop
ing more fully the resources thi
they have at hand, that a better shoV
ing can be made to the eastern hon
seeker. He spoke Of the important
Of irrigation and said there was n,
i0.acre tract Of agricultural land
Southern Oregon that could not
cheaply irrigated
W. L. Conan gave assurance Of Il
cooperation Of the railroads in an.
thing that tended to develop Il