The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-03-25

they have probably been successes,
but it is safe to assert that nothing
of greater Importance has occurred in
the valley in the past ten years than
the trade excursion yesterday which
served to obliterate all clannish feel
ingS that may have existed because
of some real or fancied grievance,
and bound together in ties of fellow
ship the business men of the two
counties, determined to work with all
energy for the general advancement
of the coutheast corner Of the great
northwest state.
Leaving the Northern Pacific station
promptly at TAO O'Clock with 120 ex-
cursionists aboard, their wants atten-
ded by j. G.. Cutler of the company,
the first trade excursion took shape
and form, and the hazy dream of weeks
became the pleasant reality of the
present. The run to Eureka was made
in excellent time, and at little past
9 o'clock the call was issued, "All
out at Eureka" This was somewhat
unexpected, as no plans had been made
for a stop at this point; however, the
cars We're soon vacated, and the dele
cation visited the business houses OF
the little capital of the great flat
wheat belt. Ten minutes later the
trip was resumed, and at 9:45 Alfalfa
was reached-Attalia, the garden spot
in what appeared to be a sea of sand
and sage brush; an oasis in what
would forever be a desert, but for the
wonderful thrift and energy of those
who have transformed many tracts
into now greening fields, thus showing
what can De accomplished on the fer
tile soil with a proper supply of wat
er.
The big store of the Alfalfa Mercan-
tile company was inspected, and the
proprietors introduced to members OF
the excursion party. A jaunt through
the little city followed, residents Civ
ing the visitors a hearty welcome, and
indicating their hospitality that the
Walla Wallans were among friends.
At 10 o'clock the tram pulled out,
and at II o'clock arrived in Kennewick
having been delayed in Pasco nearly
half an hour by monster freight
which utilized the bridge across the
river. 1t had been planned 20 take the
delegation in autos and gasoline laun-
ches to Richland, but the delay made
this impossible.
Mayor johnson Speaks.
Mayor w. E. Johnson of Kennewck,
Attorney Scott z. Henderson, Editor
A r. Gardner of the Kennewick Re-
porter, and a large delegation of bus
mess men. welcomed the visitors ana
after introductions had been made.
escorted them to the newly furnished
rooms of the Kennewick Commercial
club, where Mayor Johnson delivered
his address of welcome. turning the
keys of the city over to the excursion
lists and instructing them to take any
thing they found loose. He said in
part:
ut gives me great pleasure to well
| come YOU to our city, gentlemen, and
while / have not a clear idea as to
| the nature of your visit, nor it's OBJ
| jects, still I assume that you are here
| to learn how to build a city or per-
| haps it is that you want TO be in a
good, live community. If yen should
see anything you want, take it along
with YOU and we will come after it
! in case we need it. Our interests are
| not much in common. speaking gen
! orally. outside of the work for an open
river The business men of Walla
| Walla, I remember have been here in
times past in the interest OF this great
work, and l have heard of many meet
| ings of the Walla Walla Commercial
club at which the subject was discus
sed We rely to great extent upon
| the Commercial club of Waila Walla
in this regard"
| Mayor Johnson IN his REMARKS re-
| ferred to the slight offered his city 4
former occasion when an eXcur-
! sion was run, and the scheduled stop
| at Kennewick not made. He compli-
mented the business men IF this city
upon the large delegation, and wonder
! ed if anv one had been left at home.
| Response BY Crawford.
| President j. M Crawford of the
Commercial club, responded in a few
| fitting remarks. saying it was u pleas
ure to the club members to meet the
! friends in Kennewick, and in other
cities He explained that the trip was
| made solely in the interests of friend
ship: that the excursionists did not
want to sell anything. and that the
first visitor attempting to transact
business would be harshly dealt with
We want your good wishes said
he rather than. your money; 1t is
merely a fellowship proposition"
The speaker then explained the fall
ure of the Seattle excursion party to
stop IN Kennewick by saying the inter-
state commerce commission prohibited
| such action-and explained on the side
that events not otherwise to be dis
posed of were generally attributed to
| the commission. Mr.. Crawford high
ly complimented the people OF the
Kennewick valley for their work in
retaining the vast acres stretching
away on either side of the town. and
pointed out that it was wonderful