Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-03-07
LAND SHOW FOR NORTHWEST
Montana Commercial Clubs Call Meet
ing of Men From Six States.
NO COMPETITION WITH OMAHA
Purpose IL 60 Turn TO states states
in Northern Tier Immigrants
Now Going 20 Canada
Through Interior.

GREAT FALLS. Mont, March 6-(spe-
cial.)-with an enthusiasm that was
manifest in their every session, the MEM
bers Of the Montana Association OF Com
mercial Club Secretaries at their meet
ing in this city on March and 4 voted
to issue a call to the secretaries Of Min
nesota, North Dakota. South Dakota,
Idaho, oregon and Washington to meet
with the delegates Of commercial bodies
Of Montana in April, for the purpose of
organizing the Northwestern Development
league. This league, It is proposed by the
promoters, shall benefit the states named
in advertising the resources and chances
for settlers through the eastern states
through a general cooperation with
view to changing the channel Of immi-
grafton from that section from its pres
ent channels so that It will come through
the cities Of Minneapolis and st. Paul and
then west.
The secretaries came from all sections
Of the state, more than twenty five points
being represented, and more than as
many more sending letters indorsing the
league movement. President of the state
association, George f. Matthews Of
Lewiston, presided at the session The
proposed leaegue was outlined by secre-
N6A CAANNA W. A1OlAlNh VI tue 1HGhA 4 aus
board Of commerce. who, with Sam w
Teagarden, has been the chief promoter
Of the new organization, and by Mr.. Hea-
garden.
VIII Not Compete with Omaha.
The speakers explained that the tend
! ency has been for the immigration to
drift toward the southwest through Kan
| sas City and that of recent years, owing
| to the great activity Of the Canadian gov
eminent a great share had been gathered
into the broad domain Of the Canadian
northwest, being taken from Montreal
and Quebec and sent over the Canadian
lines west. This 1t is hoped to circumvent
by gettin gat the immigrants through
the agencies and keeping them out of
the hands of the Canadian land agents.
The statement was made that there
had been a wrong impression gone forth
when It was first told the league would
| try to divert the channel which now passes
| through Omaha, but 1t was said by MEM
bers of the secretaries association that
a great portion of the settlers of Oregon,
Washington, Idaho and southern Montana
find easier access TO the territory
through Omaha than through the northern
route and that tbe Omaha channel would
not he considered as field for activity
with a vies~ to securing new settlers.
Tho league proposes TO give a land show
each year at st. Paul and Minneapolis
alternating between these cities. but start
ing at st. Paul The first show. 1t is now
proposed. shall be given either in October
or November
The Northwestern Development league
| movement has already received the in
! dOrspment Of fha
Minneapolis and st. Paul and while this
Endorsement was not by formal vote, II
comes from the leading influences of the
clubs, which is sure to crystalline into a
formal vote of Endorsement when the
proper time comes.
The secretaries of half a dozen of the
largest clubs on the Pacific coast too,
have sent their Endorsement by letter
saying they were ready to Join the move
ment and that whenever Montana got
ready to call the meeting they will name
their delegates to attend the initial meet
ing.
Idaho cities, also. have manifested more
than passing interest in the plan and lead
ers from Boise City and Pocatello have
made inquiry and expressed a belief that
there Is great work to he done by such
league
The Dakotas are ready to respond to
the call and the secretaries here declared
great faith in the outcome for success.
full organization and fruitful work of the
new league.
Land show In Twin cities.
From source said to be official and very
close to Governor Edward L. Norris. there
comes the report to the secretaries that
he is ready to lend the influence which
; an invitation from the state executive
might mean to the governors Of the other
states to come to Montana to attend the
meeting and enioY the hnsnltalitv Of thI.