Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1907-11-19

MUSKOGEE, Okla, Nov. 19.-Rep-
resentatives from every section Of the .
great empire west of the Mississippi, |
including governors, congressman
and other officials of state and ma
tional reputation, are the guests of
Muskogee, coming here to participate
in the eighteenth annual TRANSMITS |
sissippi Commercial congress, open
ing today. Oklahoma's entrance into
the Union was the keynote of the
opening session, the principal speak
er being Governor Haskell, who on
last Saturday was sworn in as the
first executive of the forty-sixth
state.
All of the sessions of the congress,
which will extend through the week,
will be held in the great new conven-
ton hall built for the purpose by the
people of Muskogee at a cost of $780,
900. The Muskogee Commercial club
the Hundred Thousand club and the
citizens of the city genrally have
joined in extending an enthusiastic
welcome to the thousands of visitors,
and the entertainment plans, which
have been going forward for several
months, are on more elaborate
scale than ever before attempted in
Oklahoma.
One of the most important sub
jects before the congress is that OF
bringing about closer relations be-
tween the trans-Mississipp states
and the Latin republics of Central
and South America. This work was
commenced at the last congress at
Kansas City, when Secretary Root
was the principal speaker, and plans
will be made to continue it on
greater scale. Among the speakers
on this topic will be the Hon. John
Barrett, director of the bureau Of
american republics. The question
is one of great Importance to the
western and gulf states, because Of
their contiguity and the conditions
which make the ports of the Latin
republics the natural avenue of Mis-
sissippi, gulf and Pacific coast trade.
The subject of the improvement of
western waterways will also come
in for much attention, the principal
speaker on the program being H. F.
Newell, of Washington, member OF
the inland waterways committee.
An important issue affecting nearly
all the states west of the Mississippi
is that of the withdrawal of public
lands from settlement under the law
creating government foreset reserves
In this discussion the policy of the
administration will be defended by
the Hon. Clifford Pinchot, chief Of
the bureau of forestry at Washington
The mining industry, very i'm
portant one in the west, will be con
sidered at length, and demand viii
be made that a government depart
ment of mines and mining be estab
lished. coordinate with the depart
ment of agriculture, and with IT
head a member of the president
cabinet.
The livestock industry will not b.
neglected one of the speakers on thi
topic being S. H. Gowan, of For
Worth, attorney for the American
National Live Stock association.
Several Indian chiefs. represent
ing the FIVE civilized tribes, vii
speak for the aboriginal American
now inhabiting the western state
and territories. Robert L. Owen. o
this city, who will be one of Okiaho
mas first United States senators. an
who has Indian blood flown
through his veins. will discuss .fh
Removal of Restrictions from India
Lands"
The project for the formation of
new state 10 be known as Lincoln
from portions of the states Ga Wasi
ington, Idaho and Oregon viii
brought before the congress by n y
Durham, editor of the Spokane Wasl
Spokesman-Review.
Statehood for Arizona ana ne
Mexico will be favored by either
of those territories. who viii attend
to secure the oficial Endorsement
the congress.
Other subjects announced LOT so
sideration include drainage OF su
merged lands. irrigation OF the ar
districts. good roads. the Panan
canal. parcels post, Improvement