The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-08-29
URGE AMERICANS
TO SEE THEIR
.C0UNTRYF|RST
Speakers at Transmississippi
Congress Eloquently De-
scribe Scenic Wonders
of United States.
FOREIGN LANDS GET
MILLIONS EACH YEAR
j. w. Kelley of Denver De-
clares Annual Drain Is S4Oo,-
100000; Brady's Strength
for President Grows.

nTEE AMERICA FIRST" the
popular slogan in which is
1 found one of the most poten-
tial factors for the growth and
development Of the great western en-
plre, was given new and significant
impetus at the sessions of the Transmits
slsslppi Commercial congress at Saltair
yesterday afternoon and evening.
In speeches replete with color and
important facts and figures, prominent
men of the west outlined the march
of progress that the comprehensive
phrases makes possible In the evening
illustrated views bore striking testi-
mony to the truth Of their remarks.
One of the largest crowds of the sea-
son was drawn to Ssltair to enjoy the
excellent programme.
For National Day.
feature of the sessions was the
introduction Of resolution by A. L.
Sommers, representing Governor NJ f.
Hays of Washington. the city of Ia
coma and the Seattle Chamber of Com.
merce, requesting President Taft to
issue proclamation this year, and
each succeeding year, designating
date rs national "See America First
Day. The resolution sets forth that On
such an occasion, the subject be dis
cussed in the pulpits of the churches,
the press, public schools and by civic.
commercial patriotic and fraterual or
ganizations throughout the country.
The suggestion WIS made during the
evening session, before the largest au.
dience of the congress thus far, and
met with instant favor. Mr.. Sommers
has long been an active worker in the
See America First movement, and
his enterprise has resulted in the pub
lication of periodical. ''See America
First which is being distributed
broadcast about the country as All edu-
cational medium
Battle for Progress,
The forenoon session was held in the
Assembly hall, and was devoted to the
introduction Of resolutions that sig.
nifcantly tell the story OF the work
and objects of the congress in its com
mendable fight as body representing
twenty-five states west of the Misss-,
sippi for laws and adjusted conditions
that will make possible the fuldllnent
of the VESTS great destiny.
Colonel l. T. Pryor of Texas pre-
sided. Before entering upon the busi-
ness of the session he read kilograms
of regret from Tasker l.. Oddie, gov
ernor of Nevada; William C. Nc
Donald, governor of New Mexico; r. c.
Kereus, former president of the CON
cress and now United States embas.
sador to Austria; Robert P. Hooper,
president of the American Automobile
w. G. Larimore of North
Dakota, and others.
Interior Policy Change Needed.
Important among the many resolu-
lions introduced was one by Henry
Welsh of Park City, Utah, advocating
hat the present regulations and
methods of the interior department in
handling the resources, mineral. timber
md grazing lands of the country
should be so changed. interpreted or
modified that the citizens of the inter
mountain country might secure the
benefits at their very doors instead ot
,einc deprived Of them by unnecessary
md unreasonable restrictions
of Mines.
Arthur f. Francis Of Cripple Creek,
yolo., introduced resolution similar
o that offered by Mr.. Welsh Mr..
francis pointed out that whereas the
mining industry is one of the most i'm
,ortant resources of the United States,
nd adds more largely than any other
O the existing wealth of the nation;
he congress should favor the estab.
ishment of national department OF
hines and mining. similar to the de-
artmeut of agriculture with the Sec
etary at it's head, who shall be menl-
or or the cabinet This resolution re-
eived the approval of the delegates
resent
70 Prevent Fire Waste.
Another important resolution was one
,troduced by g. r. woodland OF Wichita,
nS t4ar