Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-25
AN ALARM NOTE.
GREET DlNGER OF cHE4p LUMBER.
We Shall be Ruined by Cheap Pine
Minneapolis Paper Sees Grave Con-
SEQUENCES.

Minneapolis Lumberman, Feb. %.
President Ilsley, of the St. Paul & Duluth
railroad company, stated in his recent an
nual report, that the work of grading the
branch railroad from the Northern Pacific
Junction to the st. Louis river at Knife
Falls had so far progressed that the said line
of road could be easily and fully completed
in period not to exceed two months, if the
sum of $3.50, 900 was placed in the hands of
the company.
We now learn that a party of Wisconsin
and Pennsylvania capitalists, who have large
facts of pine lands situated along the
St. Louis river and it's numerous tributaries,
have been agitating the question of placing
the required amount of capital under the
control Of proper parties, with a view of
having the branch fully constructed and
operated at the earliest possible period.
Among these capitalists we find Jay Cooke,
who owns thirty thousand acres Of the best
and most easily accessible pine lands on the
Cloquet river, and the Clarks, of Philadelphia,
who own nearly as much on the lower por-
ton of the same stream. The fact that
these gentlemen are numbered among those
y
to complete the branch line, gives warrant
proper time and that the road will be speedily
constructed to fnality.
The expected meagreness of the cut of logs
on the upper Mississippi river the present
winter has tended to hasten what has been
for some time contemplated. During the
past year, considerable amount of capital
and labor has been expended in the improve
ment of Knife Falls, with a view of develop
ing the somewhat remarkable water power
afforded by these falls. Two saw mills have
been partially erected, and vigorous steps
are being taken to procure the early building
of several first class saw. mills at that point
When the immense power of these falls is
fully and substantially utilized, it WILL both
as regards quantity and quality, be. only
second to that afforded by St. Anthony Falls,
at Minneapolis, and, as the question of the
improvement remains now subject to the
avowed will of parties who are both able and
willing, it will realize its fullest completion.
AS the pine forests along the St. Louis
river still remains intact from any past de-
pletions, it will be seen that the probable ex
pense and labor incidental to securing ample
stocks of logs will prove very small, when
contrasted with that incurred on the older
numbering streams. The lower portion of
the St. Louis river, say for sixty miles above
Knife Falls, maintains throughout the sum-
mer months sufficient depth of water to
admit of successful driving. The almost
total absence of rapids of any character con-
stitutes this portion of the st. Louis river an
excellent driving stream. The shores on
either side present long stretches of pine
forests, SO that the cost of banking logs is
In 4loti in, oil; -
will be observed that every needful requisite
is afforded to procure logs at mere nominal
] cost.
The branch railroad being only five miles
in length gives direct and speedy outlet
for the lumber manufactures at Knife Falls,
westward by the Northern Pacific, and south
and north by the St. Paul & Duluth railroad.
Nor IS the latter railroad company disin-
terested party. Some of it's friends, if not a
portion of the managers, are personally to
be benefited by the building of the branch
road, for the reason that it will prove q
valuable auxiliary in enabling them to realize
on their large pine investments. If we may
be allowed to express our opinion, based
upon our knowledge of the past manage
ment of the s'Lake Superior & Mississippi $
now the st. Paul & Duluth railroad, we
would be led to believe that not only the
ordinary inducements would be held out to
obtain lumber freight, but that special
tariff rate could be obtained, that would
materially redond to the advantage of the
Knife Falls lumber manufacturers. Particu.
larly would this be the case with shipments
of lumber southwark, say to St. Paul, Min
neapolis, etc. If this should prove the fact
and if we take into consideration the small
expense incurred in procuring stocks of logs
while the cost of saving and handling wouli
be less than in Minneapolis, we can see M
reason to doubt the peculiar significance
that must cluster about and expand beyont
: this new lumber manufacturing centre. No
do we doubt the fact that this lumber can b.
transported and laid down in the market O
the cities above named at cost not to ex
coed one dollar and a half per thousand, an,
we need not be surprised if this low rat
should be further reduced one-third. Nov
If we are not mistaken in the estimate
} given, Knife Falls is destined soon to becom
formidable rival in the lumber manufac
ture, not only SO far as our local trade
concerned, but in the general wholesal
markets. When the fact is considered tina
the pine now standing in the st. Louis rive
valley IS equal in quality, and very nearl
eaqual IN extent, to that remaining on til
upper mississippi river, it can be readily in
terred that all the essential prerequisites t
: enooW successful rivalry are not foun
wanting.
we do not wish to be considered an u,
necessary alarmist, but merely wish to SC
! forth statement of facts as they apnsar !
! us, that they may lead others to thouphtf,
and wise consideration of the conseaneoce
$ that may ensue