The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-04-05
DIVERT TRADE TO THE GULF
Mississippi Valley Congress Began
Session Today
WILL GO AFTER VOLUME OF BUSINESS
ALL COMMERCIAL ORGANIZA
TONS IN SOUTH ARE REP
REPRESENTED.

first Mississippi Valley and Pan
American congress, which opens it's
session here today, is the result of
many years of aglIaIlCn on the part of
the commercial interests OF the Mis-
sissippi valley in favor of securing a
larger share of the business which is
carried on between the central portion
of the United States, particularly the
Mississippi basin, and the various
countries of South and Central Amer
lea For a long time the commercial
organizations of New Orleans and 9TH
er coast cities on the gulf have made
every effort to bring about concerted
action of the various organizations,
with a view of increasing the COM
merce with the American cOun-
tries, but their efforts did not have
the desired result, owing to a lack
of organization. 1t was with the in
tention of remedying these conditions
that the combined commercial organ
izations of New Orleans decided to
call together a congress of representa-
tives of the commercial and indus
trial organizations of the Mississippi
valley. 1t is the plan of the organ
izers of this movement to form per-
ln Joor 10
of the Mississippi Valley Pan-Ameri-
can association, and to organize the
movement on a large scale.
The territory represented in the con-
gress extends from Pittsburg in the
east to Denver in the west, and the
Great Lakes in the north. Nearly eV-
cry prominent commercial and indus
trial organization within that area is
represented by delegates, and in addi-
ton to the regular delegates there are
several state governors, mayors Of
many cities in the Mississippi valley,
representatives of railroad companies,
etc. in attendance.
The session of the congress was
opened by Mr.. Henry Schneider, chair
man of the executive committee. The
delegates were welcomd by Governor
Blanchard of Louisiana, Mayor Behr-
man, and the president of the New
Orleans chamber of commerce. In his
address, Mr.. James w. Porch, of the
executive committee, called attention
to the fact that the completion of the
Panama canal would cause an enor-
nous increase in the commercial ac-
tivity of the south and that, by ration
al and concerted action the Mississippi
valley would be able to secure its just
share of the business which would
come to this country after the canal
would be finished He emphasized the
fact that now is the Psychological mo-
mment for starting such a movement
and urged the commercial organiza-
tons represented by delegates in the
cure favorable legislation and to CO.
operate in the interest of diverting as
large a percentage as possible to the
Gulf ports of the United States.
The conference will be in session
three days. The business sessions will
be held in the forenoons and in the
afternoons the delegates will make
tours of inspection to acquaint them
| selves with the New Orleans gateway
i and the advantages which the city
offers to shippers. Tugs will be ready
! to take the delegates around the har-
Dor and along the waterfront, while
the trips to the various railroad ter
minals will be made in automobiles.
On the last evening banquet will be
given at the St. Charles hotel.