Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-02
BOOMING.
THAT rs THE LINE OF BUSINESS ST
PAUL PROPOSES TO ENGAGE IN.


Important Meeting Yesterday to Consider
the Question of Establishing Boom at
st. Paul--Important Facts Elected and an
Organization Perfected Which Means
Business.
The boom committee met yesterday at the
chamber of commerce, at 10 o'clock.
The meeting was called to order by J. w.
McClung. The gentleman stated that the
object of the meeting was pretty well under
stood. Two months ago the chamber of
commerce had appointed the committee to
examine into the ACCESSIBILITY of making a
boom below the falls, and the cost thereof
AS the committee had invited all interested
in the project to be present, so
this was a meeting to listen to,
receive and make suggestions, and
the president asked all the gentlemen present
to participate in the discussion. ALI sugges-
tons would be thankfully received.
Mr.. p. B. Walker, of Minneapolis, was
elected secretary. Thereupon the secretary
took a record of the names of the parties
present as follows:
st. Paul-C. s. Uline, D. McCaine, A. E.
Clark, J. d. Ludder, E. J. Hodgson, Edwin Bell,
J. Haycock, P. s. Riley. w. II. Carey.
: Min NJ T: Wilson, George Turner,
Leighton, Geo. w. Bray.
Eau Claire-Alex. kempt, W. A. Rush.
WHAT'S BEEN DONE.
Mr.. Wilson asked to have statement of
what the committee had done.
Mr.. McClung reported that the papers had
given statement of their progress. They
had examined the river, and two places for
boom were suggested, one at the islands
near Fort Smelling, and the
other at the railroad bridge two miles up.
The committee had inquired about the mat
ter generally, and had received much encoul
estimated to cost So 1000, and Mr.. Edwin
Bell had estimated the cost at the other
place at $4,000 to $4,000.
Mr. McCaine stated that St. Paul seemed
to take no interest in the affair. Present to-
day are only those interested in the lumber
business. It was matter of Importance to
the city, and benefit to Minneapolis
also. Since it was not wholly a st.
Paul affair, the gentleman believed
in the success of the scheme. Heretofore
Minneapolis had enjoyed the monopoly, and
st. Paul had not taken any interest in the
business at all.
MINNEAPOLIS WILL HELP
Col. P. B. Walker said he had been in
vestigating the matter for three months, and
he believed in the feasibility and advisable
ity of boom being put in here. He be-
lieyed it would be done. The cost of the
affair was a secondary condition. The first
question was is it necessary? Next, will it have
sufficient business to pay? Third, can you
get any one to take stock. Then, the ques-
ton of cost will come up. The speaker said
it was an error to think So, 900 or double that
amount was enough if good
business was expected to be
done. If one to two million feet of lumber
be handled, the boom would cost consider
able, and that might as well be understood
first as last. The gentleman had looked
into the question of who would take stock.
He could safely promise that Minneapolis
would take $4,000 to $4,000 worth of
stock. Applause. The gentleman prom
ised the hearty cooperation of Minneapolis,
and all the mill owners there. If a boom
were put in, it would hold all the logs above
the falls, if all the booms were taken away.
The first step was to ascertain the cost of the
boom-a first class boom should be put in
This must be first looked into.
Mr.. McClung asked what amount of stock
would be necessary to operate the bust
ness.
Mr.. Walker-I can't tell. The gentleman
continued by saying that lumber over the
falls was worth more than on top of
the falls. There was at least 100000 feet
of logs to come to market, and the boom
should be first-class.
Mr.. McClung wanted to know how the
logs would be brought over the falls.
Mr.. Walker-A sluice-way could and
should be built at moderate cost.
WHAT is REQUIRED.
Mr.. Hodgson thought these conditions
should be ascertained. Have we
good location for the boom; is
it necessary TO have saw mills
in connection, and have we suitable power;
what arc our river and railroad facilities, or
do we need them in connection with the
boom. An answer to these questions, the
gentleman considered of vital importance.
Mr.. McCaine stated that the committee
had examined for site for the boom, and
that the best place for the boom was above
Ft. Smelling bridge, and pocket booms would
have to be made along down the river.
HOW ABOUT NAVIGATION.
Mr.. Kempt said that Mr.. Hodgson had
struck the key note. Is the river suit
able for a boom, and would the river naviga-
ton be interfered with. The gentle
man thought it would not, and that the
boom was altogether feasible. Minneapolis
would furnish $4,000 of the stock. That
was good nucleus. Get your capital, and
than let the stockholders go to work.
Mr.. McClung-How much stock will be
necessary
Mr.. Kempt- can't have too much.
The first thing is to organize, and then
something can be done definitely.
Mr.. McClung- much business would
be necessary to pay, on basis of say $780,
600 capital.
Mr.. Walker-The management will make
it pay. At Beef Slough there are 500 men
employed.
Mr.. McClung-It would be great thing
for ST. Paul to afford employment to 50
many men.
Mr.. Kempt-Yes; and in addition increase
the value of stumpage, and creating mills
and often industries. 1t is great and ben
ehclal enterprise, to say the least.
Mr.. Wilson thought lower Mississippi mill
owners would take stock, to get the logs they
wanted
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