Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-17
IRRIGATION IS The THEME
Commercial Club Convention Now in
Session at 81, Louis
NEWSPAPER EDITORS ARE IN EVIDENCE
Governors OF -Four states Take Part
In Meeting which Has for Pur-
pose Development Of
Southwest

ST. LOUIS, April l6.-The convention Of
the commercial clubs and newspaper ed
itors of the southwest. held under the aus
pieces OF the Business Mems League Of St
Louis, was called to- order today at the
Mercantile club
Governor Hoch Of Kansas, Governor Kib-
hey OF Arizona, Governor Davis OF Arkansas
and Governor Hagerman Of New Mexico
have arrived to participate in the conven-
ton as guests Of honor. Governor Folk Of
Missouri telephoned this morning that nc
expected to arrive here this evening. Gov
ernor Frantz Of Oklahoma is expected. but
may not be able to come
Among tho topics that will come before
the convention for discussion will be irri-
cation of southwestern deserts and i'm
provement and settlement Of the southwest
over 100 business men and editors are in
attendance.
The convention was called to order by
James E. Smith, president Of the Business
Mems league, and welcomed b. Mayor
Wells
Theodore w. Gulick OF Muskogee l. r..
was chosen temporary chairman. Commit
, tees on resolutions and permanent organi-
cation, one member from each state and
territory represented, were appointed.
NtkEo heNOluNlOu lablcd.
The convention was thrown into an up
roar by the reading Of a communication
from d. r. Thomas Of Bonita. Ariz. styl-
ing himself Chairman of the Black Nov e.
ment Association in which he said he rep
resented 100000 negroes in the United States
In requesting the clubs TO endorse a move
ment to deport the colored people Of the
country to the Congo Free State, Africa.
a. -
feet demanding that the communication he
tabled George r. Brown. secretary of the
Board of Trade. Little Rock. Ark. declared
that Arkansas needed the negroes and could
not get along without them, and upon his
motion the letter was tabled.
Permanent organization was effected and
Joseph w. Mcneil Of Guthrie. okl. was
made permanent chairman and Justin A.
Runyan of Kansas City permanent secre-
tary
Governor Hoch Of Kansas the only gov
ernor present Of the four who had arrived,
made brief address in which he dwelt
upon the proposed celebration of the hftieth
/ anniversary Of the state of Kansas to be
! held in Topeka in 1911.
! Governor Hoch spoke Of the agricultural
/ pride in the southwest and vast resources.
He said the time is coming when the west
! ern half Of the union will dominate in the
affairs of the nation.
I with Greater New York in the east" he
| said, and the greater New York of the
! west-Kansas--the southwest might be
/ termed eventually the juicy meat in the ma
/ tional sandwich"
| other addresses were delivered by Secre-
+ tary Riddle of Vinita. l. T.. on The Agen-
cies of Development and Progress" John
A. Fox of Blytheville. Ark. on Water
/ ways, Rating and Irrigation in the South
! west and Frank NJ. Estes of st. Louis,
member Of the executive committee of tho
National Irrigation association, on "'Irriga-
| ton" ..as ... -a. ."....' .....'
The convention win conclude tomorrow
evening with a banquet at the Jefferson ho-
tel.