New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-12

do in the Ore Pool will become manifest WITHIN "
fortnight The first announcement VIII DE IN t"e
shape OF large sales OF ore for delivery dur'ns '
coming season II navigation without regaru ~
the pool
Even more important than the collapse of the
Steel Rail Pool which was scattered TO the "inos
on Monday will be the termination OF the ore
Pool II will mean a terrific war on prices by al
the iron mining companies of Northern Michigan
and Minnesota
Towns now prosperous in those regions VIII De
affected. Mines which have produced mountains
and made mlllionares may be gwen oNe' "
rottlng tmbers and rusty pumps. The population
of the iron mining regions OF the North VIII be
shifted IN the migration OF miners to new heids.
The stories Of privation and suffering when the
iron districts OF the North have several tunes
given to the world since the panic OF four years
ago may be retold in the working out OF the
changes which must come with free competition
between the great mining companies
While the end OF the Steel Rail Pool brings re-
ductior Of wages 1t also brings more work. Dut
In the mines fields Of labor are FAR away an"
in TIE development OF the Mesloa Range far less
men are required to produce the ore than IN the
old Mines which have furnished the largest EN-
ployment to miners in the past
There Is a serious question II the Iron ore foo'
has net already gone. In previous winters the
production OF every important mine In the Lake
Superior region has been allotted and prices hxed
long before this time in February. As yet no allot-
ment has been made and no prices nave oeeh nkeo
for the coming season. Meetings have been helu az
Cleveland but they have been frultess IN rehSh-
ing an agreement The larger companies Del!eNiIs
a gigantic cannot be aVert"d, appear 10 pe III
| different over the results OF these sessions.
IN all sides the sentiment was general yeSteIu1y
that the ore Pool could not be saved. and incident,
ally that the same influences which nave wrecked
every iron and steel combination in existence at the
beginning OF the year vii! prevent the lroh-Hl!HHs
companies from reaching an agreement . ,
In the war the TWO great companies VIII be the
Minnesota Iron Company. with headquarters IN TINS
city. and the Lake Superior Consolidated Mines,
controlled by John D. Rockefeller Both operate IN
the Mes ba Range. above Duluth, IN MINES al
i'm the Vermon Range also Their railroads
reach the same region, and some OF their proi,eI
ties adiOin each other. Further 10 the westward IS
| the Mahoning Mine, owned by pennsylvania iron
| manufa cturere
| While every range IN the Lake superior region
will be vitality affected by the outbreak OF hostles
| the battle-ground will be the Mesaba Range. where
! the leader. meet.
| y r. Bacon president Of the Minnesota Iror
! COMPANY said yesterday that he knew Of no agree.
| lsa7 He expected a larger demand for steel and
perhaps an export trade. This would certainly car
| on the mines for moro ore.
| All Mr.. Bacon would say regarding the impe ndinf
struggle In the ore trade was: There are SpoCW
| IONS 81 ore in sight In the Mesaba Range. The
Rockefeller holdings either in fee or under lease in
Guiding the foe Of the Mountain Iron Mine, whicf
has been recently leased TO the Carnegie steel Com
/ pany. no doubt approximate l00.0N0OO tons. IN,
rest is held by people who have no connection viii
/ Mr. Rockefellers interests"
/ Asked regarding HIS idea OF the breakup OF tn
/ Steel Pool Mr.. Bacon said that the tendency
throughout the country IS 10 get the cost OF products
! down nearer TO that in other countries.