The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-05-04
BIG CONGRESS-
At SEATTLE

seattle Wasn., May 4.-SeVen gov
ernors Of northwestern states today is
sued a joint proclamation calling a
northwestern development congress to
be held in Seattle, June S to 8. The re-
markable proclamation was made pub
lie by Gov. M. E. Hay of this state and
for four days Seattle will be the CAPT.
tai of the American northwest with
seven governors and hundreds of citi-
zens in attendance at the conference.
The congress is to plan a campaign
and suggest legislation which will as
sist the northwestern states in more
rapid development and to stem the
tide of immigration to Canada. This
fact is set forth by the governors in
the proclamation when they say mot
realizing the opportunities in their own
country, thousands of people from the
United States, with hundreds of thous-
ands Of dollars in wealth, have de-
veloped farms n built new homes
under a foreign flag"
States which expect to perfect an
- 5"AtANSHSASAl ~ WI " l1S AMERICAN
northwest are Minnesota, North Da-
kota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho,
Washington and Oregon. The follow
ing is the proclamation issued by the
governors:
That an era or new and complex
development is opening in the Ameri-
can northwest there is no doubt, un-
told of wealth, not for the
multi millionaire alone but chiefly for
the community at large; are awaiting
the coming of second pioneers.
THE soil and climate are second to
none, there. exists within the borders
of these sever states untold opportun-
| tiles for the development of farms,
mines, water powers, the utilization Of
forests, the construction Of good roads
and the extension of rail ~transporta-
ton. Eighty-five millions of acres Of
public lands still await the homeseek-
er. Thousands of acres of ~logged-off
lands, the most productive on which
the sun has ever shone, are offered
for sale at the lowest possible price.
Great ranches are being cut up into
smaller farms. Millions Of acres Of
grazing lands are tired Of growing
buffalo grass and want to produce
wheat. In short, success still awaits
the willing worker toward the sunset.
"a spirit of unrest exists in the older
| sections of the United States and in
Europe. Five millions of people have
returned to the land during the last
four years. Not realizing the oppor-
tunities Of their w country, thous-
ands Of people from the United States
with hundreds of thousands of dollars
in wealth, have developed farms and
built new homes under a foreign flag.
During the present decade men and
-women will come into the American
northwest as never before If we can
but point out to them how radical are
the possibilities of progress in our
country; how abundant the opportuni-
ties in the northwest and that they
will not have to face the hardships
| endured by the first pioneers.
How to carry this message to hu-
man millions and how to assist them
to the advantages enjoyed by the old
er and more highly developed regions;
is the problem which the people who
know about the American northwest
must solve.
ITO determine by a congress Of re.
preventative men and inter-
ested in all lines of business and So
cial e~ndeavor, nov the rapid and in
telligent development of our states may
best be assisted will contribute greatly
to the advancement of this zone o.
plenty. The combination Of our ef'
forts and the most hearty cooperation
! between states closely related by 10,
cation, by natural advantages and
similarity Of interests, will assist tn,
seven states to more quickly achiev'
their rightful destiny.
Taking into account, therefore
these vital considerations for the wei
/ fare Of our country, we earnestly urg,
1 the citizens Of our respective states Il
/ participate in the northwestern de
velopment congress to be held in tn
city of Seattle, June s, 6, z and 8, AM
to cooperate in carrying out the plan
/ which this congress may adopt for TIL,
| DEVELOPMENT Of this great principalit
known as the American northwest.
IN. e. Hay, governor of Washington
"A. o. Eberhart, governor Of Mime
! sofa.
John Burke. governor Of North Da
IA kota.
@R. s. vessey, governor Of South Da
kota.
Edwin Norris. governor Of Mon
tana.
~. fl. HawIey, governor Of Idaho.
Oswald West governor Of Oregon
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