The Colorado statesman., 1907-11-23
WESTERN
PROBLEMS
DISCUSSED IN TRANS-MISSIS-
SlPPI CONGRESS AT
MUSkOGEE.
WALSH ON GOOD ROADS
ANOTHER COLORADO DELEGATE
ADVOCATES DEPARTMENT
'- OF MINES AND MINING.

Muskogee, Okla-Thomas p. Gore,
the blind United States senator-elect
of Oklahoma, addressed the Trans
Mississippi Congress Wednesday af-
ternoon before one of the largest
crowds that ever attended a meeting
of that body.
Thomas F. Walsh of Colorado, made
vigorous plea for good roads for the
Nation; James NJ. Brinson of Colorado,
urged the creation of department of
mines and mining, and f. H. Newell
told of the work of the reclamation
service. Senator Gore spoke on ques-
tions of public import, declaring him
self in favor of the speedy construc-
tion of the Panama canal, advocating
navigable inlard waterways, abusing
Wall street for its alleged misuse of
money from the West given to it in
trust, and indorsing and approving of
the administration of President Roose-
welt. Referring to the Presidents S
policy, Mr.. Gore said
81 indorse the policy of the ma
tional administration with reference
to preserving coal of the West from
private interests. In saying that l in
dorse the national administration, l
desire to say that what is good in any
administration will receive my sup
port. l am friend of the West. All
friends of the West, whether Demo
Gratis or Republicans, look alike to
me-"
Thomas F. Walsh of Colorado, spoke
on the subject of good roads, saying:
There are many great and import
ant public questions engaging atten-
ton at the present time, but among
them all | doubt if there is one that
so deeply affects all of our people fl
nancially, morally and esthetically as
does the building, beautifying and
maintaining of good roads throughout
the broad eXpaHse of our country.
Strange to say, until the recent
past we have treated this great ques
ton with an Indifference which
viewed in the light of our progress in
other directions, seems appalling.
IF our civilization were judged by
our roads, we would be placed as the
lowest mark in the scale, for among
all the civilizations of the earth, there
is none so poor and backward in the
march of progress but can boast OF
better roads than ours. AS a matter
of fact, We have neither roads, road
system nor road government. We are
barbarians in the abysmal, impossible
conditions of our roads, and in the
semi-political bandit system through
which we annually carry on the part
of caring for these ways which We
honor with the name of public high
ways.
Let it but little longer be said Of
us that of all the civilized nations oi
the earth we have the poorest roads.
"The happy homes of its citizens
and the contentment found therein
are the best guarantees of the stabil
ity of government, and good roads will
multiply such homes as will nothing
else that can be done for our people,
James M. Brinson of Colorado
spoae in favor of the creation of 8
department of mines and mining. He
said that five departments have beer
added to the executive branch of the
government since the administration o
Washington, and the operation o.
these departments and the benefits
produced by them confirm the wisdom
of their creation.
The jurisdiction of the interior de
partment embraces so many importan
and diverse interests, he said, and itE
duties are so multifarious that ade
quate supervision of the mining in
dustry by the government or efficien
cooperation are utterly impossible TN
less a separate and independent de
partment of mines and mining bt
created.