Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-17
PROF. K|NGMAN At
M. {. A. MEET; SEES
BELGIUM VISITORS
WRITES INTERESTINGLY OF
TOUR IN GREAT NORTHWEST
LAUDS WOMEN WHO ARE RUN
MING NATIONAL CONVENTION

Prof. Charles II Kingman, principal
of the O. II. 81, who with Mrs King
man. Is on a tour of the great north
west, writest interestingly to the
Free TraderJournal of his expert
ences at the National Educational
Associations convention in Portland,
Oregon. One Of the interesting fea-
lures of the session was visit to the
convention by the Belgium Commits
sion, who are referred to in glowing
terms by Mr. kingman His letter
follows.
"The National Education Associa
ton was organized in 1864, and has
met in convention every summer since
that date. For time this last spring
there was some thought of abandon
ing this summers meeting on account
of the war. Second thought, howev-
er. convinced the national officers that
this years session was especially i'm
portant in order that the interests OF
our young people should not be sacri-
feed to the war. it Is OF interest to
note that in the new government eX-
pense budget in England there Is pro
yided four million dollars more for
education in the coming year than ev-
or was appropriated before If the
war continues our leaders will be sac
rifced, more than ever will be need
their places. The tone of the con
vention is patriotic and serious.
A Beautiful City
| Portland is fine city It's people
enthusiastically aCmit this fact It
has a population or 2S2.ooo souls, all
boosters. 1t ccp1ed after Ottawa and
elected r.ayor ard four other com
missioners.
"The official dope reads, snowfall
rarely seen, tornadoes, thunder storms
and extremes of temperature un-
/ known. Mr. d. r. Brush, former
| Ottawa resident. admitted to me how
/ ever that now and then in the winter
| they had silver thaw.' TN Illinois
/ language sleet storm) The city
owns its own water system and der
ives crystal pure supply of ice cold
soft water from Mt Hood visible
snow capped mountain, many miles
away The lavish extravaganza with
which nature has distributed snow
capped mountains around this region
is a source of constant interest to
an Illinois visitor. The spirit of
rivalry between Seattle, Tacoma and
Portland Is very keen may be bitter
would be the right word The spirit
existing between Ottawa, Streator and
La Sale is one of brotherly love
sanctifed in comparison An impartial
Judge might be inclined to cast the
die in favor Of Seattle.
The Municipal Auditorium.
"The convention Is being held in
the new auditorium erected by the
city at a cost of 5000. 100000 It seats
about 10000 people comfortably. 1t
is absolutely fire proof; brick. con
crete, steel and granite construction.
All Portlanders that | have talked
with are very enthusiastic about this
/. building and none seem to question
the use of city funds for such pur.
pose
Automobile Roads.
"This truly is the auto drivers para
= disc. Excellent paved highways lead
in every direction. Nobody speaks
of roads here, they are all high
ways.
. "And truly, the majestic scenery
the invigorating air. and the smooth
pavements underneath, seem to entill'
these roads to the name of highways
The best of them is the Columbit
river highway paved 80 miles alonl
the banks of the Columbia river, ri1
:. ing on this highway we passed
prune and apricot orchards, mountains
waterfalls and bushes and trees 0
i, every description presided over her
and there by giant fir trees rising to
height of 175 feet.
The Belgian Commission.
s. 1--WE saw the Belgian Commission
4. given a rousng whole hearted receJ
tion at Seattle, and again at Portland
r. speaking from the convention pla
form these representatives Of a
heroic country took the big audienc
by storm. They speak English a
tonishingly well. and in their tire
weeks In America have picked Il
- some slang which they spring with
- smile. You could not help laughii
to hear the stately Baron Monchet
and General lie Clerq speak of Ca
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