The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-09-01
is not felt as it would havo been other.
THE CONGRESS ADJOURNED.

The session Of the Transmississippi
Congress held in this city the past
week was one of unusual interest and
Importance. The papers resd and the
addresses given were of the highest or
der of merit, and in general, the pro-
ceedings Of the Congress were up to
the lofticst standard that one might
Justly expect from selected assem-
blage of gentlemen drawn from the
great region west Of tho Mississippi
river.
Thus far the Transmississippi Con-
gress has not obtained any very solid
footbold among the people in the way
Of having specific work to do. The lr-
rigation Congress has had special line
of work and has done great things IN
that line. The Transmississippi Con-
press, however, has been more of an
academic institution, dealing abstract
ly with ideas aud propositions. 1t has
lacked anchorage in the practical AZ
fairs of the region which il assumes to
cover, and has often been good deal
at sea as to what it would do or de-
clare.
We note an indication in the recent
session of the Congress here which
ought to lead TO moro definite results;
that is. tentative leaning towards
making the Transmississippi Congress
n congress of the commercial orgsnizs-
tions of all the communities west of the
Mississippi river. If the Congress
should be formally established as the
general exponent Of all the commercial
interests in the great region covered
by it's title, it could become indeed
vast practical organization for good
1t would, in that event, deal with the
affairs of commerce and transportation,
prices. exchange, Of development, and
above all, as suggested by The Tribune
during it's meeting, it would be a pow
erful impulse toward the consummatlon
of the greatest work ever undertaken
within the boundaries of the United
States; namely, the handling, conserya-
ton, and use of the flood waters of the
great Mississippi system west OF the
main stream, cooperating naturally with
the influences at work toward the rlght
handling of the waters of that system
east of the main river. We CONSIDER
this to be the greatest practical ques-
tion of the immediate feature in the
United States. With thorough hand
ling of the waters of the great Mlssls-
sippi river system for the prevention OF
damaging floods, for the flooding and
enrichment of the low lands of the
lower part of the river, for the genera
ton of power, and for irrigation, there
is presented here magnificent problem
of Nationwide importance, and of
beneficial nature that would go right
TO the heart of the American progress
on a scale never before attempted since
the ancient days Of handling the waters
Of the Nile and the Euphrates.
The delegates attending the Congress
closed their session with gratifying
of the pleasures and
courtesies enjoyed while they were In
this city. They were delighted with
the city itself, and with its environ
prs. and with its beautiful resorts,
aud surrounding opportunities for rec"
reation and comfortable vacations.
rhev will take home with them to all
parts of the great region represented,
pleasant memories of Salt Lake City,
and will give to their neighbors view
IF this region which will be altogether
enthusiastic, and profitable to all con"
,erned. 1t was a good session, pleasant
FOR Salt Lake and pleasant for all who
|, attended