The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-06-29
Gen. tsaainaonl'Ea-Es.

Gen. Hammond addressed the West
End Chamber of Commerce at its reg
uiar meeting "Wednesday evening, on
the general situation at the head of
the Lakes and cur superior opportu-
mites. That the general was both
practical and sensible in his remarks
IS evident from the following brief
sketch as reported for the Duluth
News OF Thursday morning:
After submitting the proposition
that the city lin broad sensel would
rival in rapidity of growth, and ulti-
mately III size all other Lake cities
he gave as reasons: First, that the
agricultural and productive territory
directly and Immediately tributary
was larger than that Of any other city.
Secondly, That the climatic and physi-
Cal conditions of this territory were
such as to require much greater con
SUMPTION per capita of the necessities
and comforts of life than was the case
further south where less fuel clothing
boots and shoes and less substantial
diet was required; therefore, the same
number Of population in the tributary
country would build its commercial
center corresponding faster, He
stated that we were in the very center
OF what had been fully proven as the
best grain belt in the world, the pro-
duct OF sections either north or south
OF certain limits decorating in quality.
lie controyerteG this popular impress
sion that it was the railroads that had
and was making the cities here, bat
claimed the railroads had none of them
come here until forced to DO so in self
preservation, and the same cause
would force about nine other systems
to come too in the immediate future.
In referring to the phenomenal growth
OF such cities as Winnipeg, Omaha
and the Twin Cities, based upon the
impetus Of railroad building, lac could
see nothing but the same results fol
lowing the building Of the great sys-
tenn radiating from the head of lake
Superior only the pioneer lines of
which had yet been bailt. The pres
ent developments i'll freight matters,
and the virtual abandonment Of the
Northwest by the Chicago roads was
only the fulfiIlment Of the laws Of nj
tmeand trade and that the cities Of St
Paul and Minneapolis must eventually
acknowledge q difference of 5 cents in
our favor was just as certain. To a
statement often made that we lacked
surrounding country he replied that
when Chicago had G0,O00 inhabitants
she had not as many people in a radius
of so miles as there are in Douglas
county to-day. The statement that
the largest yield Of No. / hard wheat
on record, ffty-tWo bushels to the acre
was raised on q farm seven miles from
the city hall Of Superior, was received
with applause, as was his statement
that Douglas county could support an
immense population upon small farms
and gardens. The whole discourse
was replete with facts and figures
which should have a good effect in
silencing some OF the croakers, who,
because corner lots are not selling like
hot cakes, can see nothing but disaster
ahead.
The general consoled unity Of
action, as there was unity of interest
in all things looking to the general ad-
vancement Of the head Of the lake,
whether it be Duluth, East Superior
or West Superior that got the most
direct benefit If one can't get it,
help the other fellow to get il. But
get it anyway.