The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-06
Abilene Man Sets Transmissis.
sippi Congress Going
At Its 10th Session With His
Annual Address.
TRIBUTE TO ITS WORK
He Tells the Delegates That
Their Organization
Is Next in Importance to the
U. s. Congress.

san Francisco, Cal, Oct. 6.-The
Nineteenth Transmississippi Com ,
inercial congress with a thousand or
more delegates from the western half
OF the United States attending, all of
lnem men of high position in the af-
Ialrs OF the nation and of their re-
spective states. began its five day de-
llnerat1on here today with a display
OF enthusiasm by the delegates that
augurs well for a successful and inter
estlng session. The temporary chair
man. j. Il. Case of Abilene, Kan, call
ed the delegates to order and in his
opening remarks pointed the way for
the many prominent speakers who are
TO follow him, dwelling at some length
on the vast work that there is to be
| done in the west in the way of con-
| servation of natural resources and ex-
pansion OF present industries to far
wider scope than has yet been at
| tempted.
Among the delegates were the rep
resentatlves of eighteen states, four
territories and six foreign countries.
while the national government was
also represented in the person of w.
X. wheeler, assistant secretary of
commerce and labor. The opening ses-
sion was purely one of organization
and after the requisite committees TO
attend to the permanent organization
were appointed the congress adjourn
ed in order that the delegates and
their friends might participate in an
i excursion about the famous San
Francisco harbor, visiting the forth
fications that guard the golden gate
and many other points of interest
The political end of the congress is
in state of ferment and it is i'm
possible to say who will be chosen as
president for the coming year. Colo
rado has sent strong delegation to
the gathering and the members of this
delegation are losing no opportunity
to boost their home state for the next
gathering place of the congress and
Thomas F. Walsh of Colorado for
president. Texas has come to the
fice-Colonei Ike T. Pyror of San An
onio, being mentioned and Colonel
Fred w. Fleming of Kansas City, is
also being strongly supported.
Omaha is being spoken of very ia
vorably as the place for the next gath
ering and Colonel Fleming is urging
the selection of that city, confident of
strong support from many of the DEL
egates.
Great interest is being taken by
members of the congress in the project
of securing a federal appropriation for
the Strengthening out of the Mis-
souri, river and this will help Omaha's
effort to get the next session. The
report that Galveston, Tex, was in
the field for the meeting was denied
today by Senator Harris of that city,
who said Galveston was not in condi-
ton to seek the honor. This leaves the
matter practically between Denver
and Omaha. Mr.. Case spoke as fol-
lows:
Cases Address.
| Almost one-ffth of a century has
passed since this organization was
formed. 1t has seen the nation expand
and develop as never did any nation on
earth; it has seen great men pass away
and others as great take their places;
1t has held sessions in the far north
west, on the banks of the Missouri, in
the heart of the mountain region, amid
the magnolias of the sunny south and
among the fertile lands of the newest
state-but by no means the least; 1t has
, had cordial greetings from men of
many climes and from representatives
] of manv ambitious cities, but never in
all it's nineteen years OF progressive
I history has the Transmississippi Com
mercial congress received a warmer
welcome, or been the guest of a kindlier
nobler people than here beside the
Golden Gate, in beautiful, courageous.
undaunted, splendid San Francisco
l Her wonderful and romantic history.
: her difficulties, and her victories that
2 have crowned the city with glory,
2 should be an inspiration not alone to
= us as individuals, but to our organiza-
: tion as an example of what American
manhood can do when inspired by faith
r and hope and unfailing energy. We
extend to San Francisco our best
greetings; we honor her for marvellous
achievements past and for evidence OF
greater accomplishments to come.
Nineteen years in the history of a
commercial organization is a long time.
In that period 1t must determine by Its
work whether 1t is to be alive OF dead !;
lit must prove it's right to exist. |
b congratulate you today that the Trans
( Mississippi Commercial congress has
: become a permanent, aggressive force
: in the upbuilding of the nation, and
: that it is very much alive and is going
j to stay So. 1t stands for the big things
t that are making the great west yet
: greater, for the elements that lift the
e business life of the nation, and 1t has
been the originator of more important
n commercial and legislative achieve
r ments than any body of men ever gath
: cred together outside the congress OF
e the United States.
" In these years this organization has
r turned the eyes of the world toward
y the needs of the new states; it has been
n constructive In its methods; 1t has
e built up and has never torn down
J. These two decades Of business progress
v have been the mightiest in the nations
e history. and 1 am proud that our or
Is ganization has had SO great part ir
framing the accomplishments of oul
Sc time.
20 New Problems Before Us.
20 But new problems are to be solved
"a The things of tomorrow are not thost
of yesterday. 1t has ever been the
Idea of this congress to conquer ths
present day difficulties that. the ricf
ly and magnificent west may march Il
m a yet mightier destiny 1t is our. west
ID our home, our pride and our children
ie heritage. 1t devolves upon you an,