The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-07-31
SPEECHES At
CLUB RECEPTION
PLEASANT TIME IN COMMERCIAL
CLUB ROOMS LAST
NIBHT.

Speeches, punch and cigars. inter-
spersed with music, formed the pro-
gram at the inspection smoker given
by the Commercial club last night in
it's new quarters, in the city hall just
completed. Some 500 business men Of
the city were in attendance and the
event was one of good feeling and cor
dial Fellowship.
| President F. W. Kaser presided
| over the formal part of the program.
| first introducing Mayor Kelfough, who
turned over the rooms to the club. He
was followed by ex-Mayor Hunt, who
spoke on the work the club had done
and some work that it should do, not
ably the paving of West Main street
and the charging of Whitman col
lege
F. A Garrecht, the principal speak
err of the evening, made short but
| brilliant address in which he urged
the members of the club to keep things
moving. He cited the fact that had it
not been for Walla Walla's self salts
faction some years ago, she could have
kept pace with the other cities of the
state which have forged so rapidly
ahead Of her. He urged increased ac-
tivity and expressed his belief in the
future of the city.
Referring to the future possibilities
of this region, Mr.. Garrecht said:
1.-The march of emigration has ever
been westward. Now it is more partic
ularly inclining toward the northwest,
and by reason of the advertisement in
cident to the Alaska " ukon- Pacific ex-
position. Washington holds the imme-
date attention of the country and is
destined to retain it for the future.
This nation grown to a world pow
er. seeking new avenues for CONNER
cial activity. has her eyes fixed upon
the Orient where teeming millions are
just awakening from their long sleep
of inactivity.
1.-The day is not far distant when
America not Europe will be doing two
thirds of the import business of Asia.
Essentially one of the pathways for
this great trade, from the very logic Of
It's geogra phical situation must be
through this state. Since the distance
to Japan and China by boat is shorter
from ports of this state, than any in
the country there can be no question
then that this state will be the gate
way to the Orient.
Much of this wealth has and will
continue to be poured into the laps of
the cities of the Sound to find its way
through the arteries of trade to other
portions of the state, and if we are
alert to grasp the advantages Of the
situation much of it will come to us.
"A new era of advancement is down.
ing upon the horizon and believe that
within a few years the prosperity and
progress of this state will far exceed
the fondest dream of my most optimis
tic listener.
I'm this grand procession of prog
ress Walla Walla must be prepared to
take her proper place well to the front
or this commerce with the Orient, OF
this trade with Alaska, of this tide Of
| immigration we must see to it that we
get our full share. Our future pros
meets are as attractive as are those OF
any section of the state. While we are
one of the oldest counties our develop
ment is but beginning. Heretofore
wheat has been almost our only reve-
nue. producer. Last year there was
shipped from this county seven mil
lion bushels. Notwithstanding this
enormous quantity the returns from
our garden products and fruit orch
ards were almost as great, yet these
industries are but in their infancy. Ir-
rigation and intensified farming are
destined to make this valley one Of
the richest in the world.
| Retaining Waste Land.
! "On the western boundary of our
county about Wallula, $4,000 acres Of
land, heretofore barren and producing
| thing but sage brush is being re-
claimed and transformed into alfalfa
fields. Increased returns Will stimulate
new enterprises. Since our products
will largely consist of food stuffs and
as the inhabitants Of the Sound cities,
of Alaska. and of the Orient, must eat
we ever have market at our doors.
This is a day of organization, NTH