The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-20
KANSAN OPENS IT
j. B. Case of Abilene Yields
the GaYel
At the Annual Convention of
the Commercial Congress.
EVERY STATE THERE.
A Greater Number of Delegates
in Attendance
Than Ever Before known in
Organizations History.
EVERY STATE THERE.

Kansas City, Mo, Nov. 20.-When
the Transmississippi Commercial con-
gress convened in seventeenth annual
session met here this morning in Con-
vention hall that vast auditorium was
crowded with delegates and spectators.
The arena floor had been reserved for
delegates who were arranged by state
delegations as in the Democratic ma
tional convention held there in 1900.
Every state in the union was repre-
sented
The states in the Mississippi and
Missouri valleys and those making up
the western half of the country were
represented by a greater number Of
delegates than ever before in the his
tory Of the organization, while from
the east also the attendance exceeded
that of previous years. Upon the plat
form and in the boxes reserved for the
especially invited guests and their
ladies were many distinguished per-
sons.
All sessions Of the congress are to be
open to the public and today the bal
comics which had been set aside for the
spectators other than invited guests.
were filled by several thousand per-
sons. The hall was most elaborately
decorated. the flags of the five Latin
American countries whose representa-
tives are to address the congress to-
night, intermingling with the stars
and stripes.
The programme of the first days
proceedings includes the address of
David r. Francis of st. Louis, presi-
dent of the congress, who delivered
his message at the opening session.
At the afternoon session, Fl. ID. Love
land, Of San Francisco vice president
of the congress, was listed to deliver an
address on behalf of the Golden Gate
city and the state of California, to him
having been delegated authority to
make a sort of public pronounccment
to the people of the country as an ex-
preston OF gratitude for the splendid
manner in which it responded to the
appeal for help following the great
earthquake
At the afternoon session also E. H.
Hartman, president of the Union Pa
cific railway. Is down to make an in
dent OF the Colorado School of Mines
of Golden. and who was authorized
to speak for the western federation of
miners. and F. 3. Thurber of New
York city, are to speak of Socialism.
its influences upon business and the de-
velopment of our country"
The most important session of the
day will be that in the evening when
EIhu Root, secretary of state, is to
deliver an address on 1.-The commercial
relations with the South American re-
pubIics," to which replies are to be
made by Ministers Calderon of Bolivia;
Pardo CT Peru and Cortes of Colombia;
first secretary Of the Brazilian legation.
Sylvino de Amaral, and Albert Yoach-
John Barrett, United States minister to
Colombia, is also to speak along similar
lines
The congress was called to order by
j. B. Case of Abilene, Kan, a member
of the executive committee. Following
him welcoming addresses were made
by Colonel Fred Fleming. of Kansas
City, chairman of the executive COM
mittee: by Senators Stone and Warner
and Governor Folk of Missouri: by
Governors Hoch Of Kansas. Mickey Of
Nebraska and by Frantz Of Oklahoma.
Among the late western arrivals are
Tom Richardson, of Portland. Ore;
John Henry Smith of Salt Lake City:
T. S. Clarkson, of Seattle, Wash; Mr..
and Mrs. J. Kendig, Washington;
James F. Callbreath. jr. Denver;
Frank Hayden, Colorado Springs; J. 3.
Killian. Denver; G. c. Momer, Den
yer; c. NJ Hooker. Denver; r. E.
DePierre. Denver; Fred Graham, J.
Harry Collins and A. E. McClintock.
Pueblo, Col.
Governor F'rantz headed two hun
dred Oklahomans, big Texas delega-
ton came in charge of Senasor f. f.
Harris and Judge Walter Gresham;
there were fifteen CaHfornians led by
H. D. Loveland and John P. Irish; 100