Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-11-10
OUR LAKE OUTLET.
A Convention of Chambers of Commerce
to Be Hold in ST. Paul.

"A convention OF chambers OIL Com merce
to Be Hold in st. Paul.
At the last meeting of the chamber of com
merce, the Hon. H. M. Rice read paper en-
larging upon the Importance of improving
the harbor of Duluth. The chamber took
action by appointing committee composed
of Nessrs. Rice, Banning, Drake, Rhodes and
MeClung to confer, advise and devise some
plan by which the important subject could
be speedily introduced to the public atten-
ton, to the end that the best interests of trade
by natural route should te subserv' d.
The committee, Mr.. Drake alone be-
ing absent, met yesterday in the cham
Der of commerce at - o'clock N. The
object of the meeting needed no set
statement, and the committee
INDUCED in free and prolonged discussion
over the importance Of the improvement Of
the harbor of Duluth.
Mr. Rice was called upon for statement
of his views. He thought a convention of
the different chambers of commerce in the
State should be called, to advise and formu-
late some plan for the improvement. AS
the matter was of local interest to Duluth,
he thought that the initiative should be taken
by the chamber of commerce there. Yet the
interests of st. Paul were as much greater in
the Improvement as her commerce was than
that of Duluth.
Mr.. Banning didn't see that it was
wholly local affair to Duluth.
While they might be primarily
interested, the whole State and trade of the
Northwest were interested in cheap and
natural route to a market, for all the vast ac-
cumulations of wheat, lumber, etc. In ia
So ob, tr
heavy freight to our doors. Mr.. Rhodes
to improve the harbor of Duluth.
This Improvement would cheaper freight.
Now tugs had to be employed to tow in the
vessels over the bar or through the gut This
expense would be removed with the removal
of the distractions in the harbor, and enable
the largest vessels to unload at the docks
Mr.. Rhodes emphasized the Importance of
the object of the meeting by citing the
extent of trade now, and the decrease in
price in coal, ETC., brought by the natural
route, und er that transported by all rail
route from Milwaukee or elsewhere.
Formerly stove coal sold at $50 a ton. Since
the harbor ct Duluth Was used the same
commodity sold in our market at SIS per ton,
and had compelled the railroads
to fall in price So per ton.
He continued by stating that over 10000
tons of coal had been brought over this
route; salt, cement, and iron in large Quau-
titles were part Of the imports at that port.
Ii the harbor were protected, he knew a
great trade would grow up. The lakes wer
the natural outlet for our grain in bulk, and
If assurances were given the incoming
results of out bound freight, the cost OF
transportation would be no more than now
charged from Milwaukee to the seaboard.
The discussion continued in this vein for
some length.
Mr.. McClung deemed the matter of vital
Importance to St. Paul, Minneapolis, Still
water, and all along the Northern Pacific. He
believed fuller attendance on the conven-
ton could be had if called to meet in St.
Paul, centrally located. The suggestion was
generally concurred in, Mr.. Rice alone feel
ing that Duluth should inaugurate the pro-
ject.
Mr.. McClung moved that g convention of
all the chambers of commerce of Minneso ia
be called to meet in St. Panl. Carried.
Mr.. Rice-What date?
Tie committee, after due elaboration, de-
cided upon December 18th. "wednesday
1878.
The committee stated that the above pro-
csdure would be reported to the next meet
ing of the chamber of Commerce, wrote a
recommendation that the same be adopted.
In addition, the recommendation would be
submitted that committee on statistics
and invitation be appointed.
Inc understanding was arrived at,
and will be incorporated in the
committees report that invitations will be
extended to different city councils to appoint
representative business men as delegates,
and that all the lake cities, Detroit, Buffalo,
ETC., be asked to, cooperate in the project,
as well as join in the convention.
Adjourned.