The San Francisco call., 1906-11-22
DISCUSSIONS TAKE
IN WIDE RANCE

KANSAS CITY. Nov. 21-Speeches
and discussions covering a wide range
Of subjects took UP the time today of
the three sessions of the Trans -Nissis-
sippi Commercial Congress Improved
waterways, insurance and currency re-
forms, the value of the Panama canal
as means of enIarging our trade re-
laions with the South American re-
publics and the necessity of closer re-
lations between the United States and
those countries. the great value to the
South Of improved levees and the re-
sources and needs of Alaska were some
of the topics touched upon
The principal speakers were J. E.
Ransdell. Representative in Congress
from Louisiana; ". d. Vandiver. Su-
perintendent of Insurance of Missouri;
Dr.. ". S Woods, president of the Ma
tional Bank of Commerce of Kansas
City: John Barrett, United States Min
ister TO Colombia; Minister Calderon
OF Bolivia. Minister Pardee of Peru
Minister Cortes of Colombia, Secretary
Amaral Of the Brazilian Legation at
Washington. Representative Morris
Sheppard of Texarkana, Tex John G.
Brady Of Boston. former Governor of
Alaska, and Major T. l. Clarkson of
Seattle
Morris Sheppard of Texas, who is
credited with being the youngest Con-
gresham in the national house. made
an earnest plea for the upbuilding of
the levee system, and won warm ap-
plause from the delegates.
Former Governor Brady of Alaska
delivered a lecture, which was IL
lustrated, on that Territory. He spoke
Of the need of railroads there, and said
Alaska could support three or four
,To I'LL
has 5000. 900
Minister Calderon Of Bolivia. who re-
Gently negotiated a loan of $4,000. 600
in New York to build a railroad from
Peru to the Argentine republic, said
that the work of developing proper
trade relations between South America
and the United States had been grand
ly commenced by Elihu Root Secretary
of State, and that the good effects of
the Secretary's trip to South America
could not be estimated at present.
Minister Cortes of Colombia said his
country felt the greatest interest in
cultivating the friendship of the United
States. commercially and otherwise, be-
cause of the proximity of Colombia to
the Panama canal, which is to be the
great channel of the commerce of the
world"
Senior de Amaral, Charge d'Afaires of
Brazil, was most eloquent in his plea
for closer relations between the United
States and Brazil.
The resolutions committee was or
ganized today with John p Irish of
California as chairman.
A resolution was offered requesting
that Congress appropriate more money
for the department of the Columbia
and Snake rivers.
paper on naval construction on the
Pacific Coast by George W. Diclxie of
san Francisco was read by the sec
retary.
Dickie said that on a modern battle
ship. costing perhaps s4.000.0 900, exclu-
sive of armor and armament, the Pacific
Coast shipyards would have to pay from
100000 TO $35o.000 more In wages than
the Atlantic Coast yards, besides the
difference in freight on material from
the steel producing centers, which
would add about $4,000 to the differ
ence- Practically the total difference
yard is half million dollars on a first
class battleship. so that the per cent
differential in favor of the Pacific
Coast, provided in several cases by Con-
gress. would not place the Pacific Coast
today on anything like an even footing
with the Atlantic Coast
He claimed it would be true wisdom
on the part of the Government to place
enough work in the shipyards now es-
tablished on the Pacific Coast to keep
them in condition to render the Gov
ernment efficient service in case of war
The country may need these facilities
ever that day comes the little it costs
TO preserve them Will not then be
counted.