The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-07-18
DECAYING RIVER TOWNS
Cause Of Their DECLINE Along
the Upper Mississippi.
LUMBER INDUSTRY WIPED OUT.

why Citizens OF the mississippi Vail
ley Ask Large Appropriations From
Congress TO open Up the River--An-
other Deep waterway Convention
to De Held some Time During the
FAN.
Along the western border Of wis
consin all eyes are turned toward the
Mississippi river, says the Milwaukee
Sentinel. To the residents Of the river
towns it was at one time a river OF
destiny. After a period OF prosperity
that destiny failed, and with 1t appar-
entity failed the destiny OF the cities
upon its banks. The lumber industry,
which has been the commercial founda-
ton Of the upper Mississippi valley, is
gone forever. True, there are still a
number Of mills III operation, but they
are merely saving the gleanings Of the
dismantled pine forests The RATS Of
logs that are towed down the AIissis-
sippi during the coming season win be
the last remnants Of this lumber indus
try, floating away into history
But to the cities which have been
built UP on this industry there remains
the necessity Of seeking new purposes
and ambitions-a new commercial des-
tiny. Bereft Of the haryests Of pine
upon which they once subslsted, they
must either decline or build up new in
dustries and new commercial activities
to sustain their populations This is
not new question, nor is it one con
fined to Wisconsin. Within all the dis
tricts bordering upon the upper Mis-
sissippi whose chief engagement has
been the lumber business there has
been q growing realization &C tie I'M
pending end Of the established order
of things. The problem has been ar
gued pro and con ard various sugges-
tons for a new industrial future have
been made, many of them pertinent
and some of them already practically
established
In Lacrosse there was a period Of
some years during which vivid pictures
OF the past, the crowded wharfs of
the city swarming with active raft
boats. the floating fields of logs and
sawed lumber and the busy hum Of
the mills, were printed side by side IN
the local newspapers with lamentations
and hopes and fears for the future.
About four years ago, however, the
renaissance appeared. There was a
revival which had for its instigatlon
political ambition. Two political par
ties were in bitter strife, and, seeking
that which would be successful at tile
polls, each declared its intention 10 res
cue the city from the decay and OBJ
livion that apparently confronted IT,
The Democrats were successful In the
campaign, and, aided with ungrudged
loyalty by the Republican minority,
without which they could not have
bonded the city or put through any
public improvements requiring d two
thirds vote Of the council, they began
the work which in d short period has
paved miles Of streets, laid as much
sewer and water mains, and resulted
III the projection and erection Of many
public buildings. The board Of trade
and the Progressive association worked
hand in hand with the political or
ganizations Of the city, exerting untir-
ing efforts, the effect OF which has been
to establish many factories, jobbing
houses and Industrial institutions IN
the city to its advantage. But in the
hustle and hurry Of the profitable ac-
tivities the value Of the Mississippi
river was forgotten That in the past
1t had furnished one Of the essential
means by which the city attained its
growth was entirely ignored in the
future plans for the Greater Lacrosse.
The same condition apparently exist
ed in the other cities OF the Mississippi
valley, which had been alike stricken
by the obliteration Of the pineries. The