East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-09-22
A CONGRESS Of
MAYORS PLANNED
ST. LOUIS SENDS 5000
INVITATIONS TO CITY MAYORS
Affair VIII BE n Celebration of the
Centennial of Incorporation of st.
LOuls-Elaborato Programs VIII
Be Provldcd-Many Subjects of
Civic Interest Discussed.

ST. Louis, Sept. eff a thousand
or so American mayors do not have
! in their possession by Oc-
tober 8, the latest and best ideas on
how to run cities it will not be the
fault of the st. Louis Centennial AS
socation and the Civic League of ST.
Louis The former has arranged to
bring together and entertain at least
this number of chief executives Of
municipalities of the United States
during the week that the one hum
dredth anniversary of the incorpora-
ton of st. Louis will be celebrated,
beginning October g. and the latter
has seized upon the opportunity af-
forded to have the visitors join in a
great conference or series OF confer
ences on problems of city government.
Three thousand invitations are be-
ing sent out for this feature of the
Centennial celebration, and although
it is feared that not more than one
mayor in three, whose presence is re-
quested will be able to accept, the
gathering nevertheless, will be the
most notable of its kind ever held. 1t
is doubtful that half as many city
rulers as will attend ever have met
together.
Fully appreciating the honor which
will be conferred upon st. Louis by
this assemblage, the Centennial as
sociation and its co-workers are max
ing every effort to provide appropriate
entertainment. and, the wives and
daughters Of the visitors will be espe-
cially cared for
The week will be busy one for
the mayors and those who accom-
pany them. from the day of their ar
rival, Monday, Octooer 4, until their
departure. six days later. For them
it will begin with reception and
luncheon the first day and will in
clude a banquet, attendance at the
Yelled Prophet ball and facilities to
see all of the other chief events of
the celebration. Among these will be
grand pageants daily, and great bal
loon. airship and aeroplane races.
The reception Monday will be held
at City hall by Mayor Frederick H.
Kreismann, who is president Of the
Centennial association. Immediately
following. at 1890 D. m, a luncheon
will be given at Hotel Jefferson by
the Civic league. and other noted Wis 4
itors who may have arrived will be
asked to attend.
After the luncheon an important /
conference will be held at which the .
principal topic Of discussion will be .
the Commission" form of municipal +
government. 1t is expected that talks /
will be made by mayors of cities in
which the plan already is in opera /
ton. notable among wnicn are Des
Moines, Iowa. and Galveston. Texas
and opponents Of the plan also VIII
speak. The advisability of further
formal conferences is under consider !
alton by the officers Of the league. 1t
is probable that at least one more !
Tuesday afternoon. on subjects to be
selected. will be arranged.
An invitation to and souvenir OF
the Yelled Prophet ball will be pre-
sented to each mayor who accepts an
invitation to attend the Centennial
celebration. The ball, Tuesday eve
ming, will be held this year in the
beautiful new Coliseum, instead of
the Merchants exchange, permitting
a larger and more comfortable at
tendance than ever heretofore.
The Business Mems league, the
chief organization of business men in
st. Louis and one of the strongest
bodies of its kind in the United
States. will be host Wednesday eve
ming at the Coliseum at what will be
known as the American Mayors
banquet" at which the visiting may
ors and their wives and other prom
inent guests to the number of 1900
are expected to be present. Many
other elaborate events of a public ma
ture and free to all will fill out the
week.
The Centennial association has Sc
cured reduced railroad rates from
virtually all parts of the United States
including the Pacific coast, for Cen