The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-23
LAWMAKERS RETURN
FROM TOUR OF
THE RANGES
Legislators Travel 700 Miles,
Are Loyalty Entertained
and Study at Close Range
the Worlds Greatest Iron
Mines and Busting Min
ing Towns.

The greatest legislative excursion in
the history of the state ended in ST.
Paul last night, when 200 state off,
Gals and legislators disembarked from
the Great Northern special, every man
of them convinced that he had had
the time of his life.
The last day of the tour Of the
iron ranges was not the least pleasant.
And had not legislative duties pressed
closely upon the dominant faction of
the party there were few members of
it who would not have been glad to
remain in the north country several
days more. The legislative trains
reached Hibbing late Saturday night
and yesterday morning was spent at
the Mahoning mine, the largest open
pit iron mine working in the world.
The trains were run within short
walking distance of the big pit and
the members of the party were en-
abled to spend an hour in the mine
Especial interest attached to the Ma
hOning mine visit, other than from the
fact that it is one of the industrial
wonders of the world. Ore shipments
from Hibbing will commence today
and the mines are being put in shape
for a record breaking summer. At
the Mahoning the big party was
grouped on the upper level and photo
graphed. ,
The run to Duluth was so arranged
that the party was given a splendid
opportunity to see the ore and lum-
Der docks and an hour was given for
goodbys at Duluth, where many prom
inent citizens visited the train and
shared in the enthusiastic congratula-
tons which every member of the ex-
cursion party showered upon the Com
mercial club, the citizens committees
and the railway companies.
SpIendidIy Managed Trip.
Perhaps the most remarkable feature
of a remarkable trip was it's manage
ment. A party of 200 was taken care
of for three days, without a single
hitch in programme or delay except
those caused by extending visits to
points of interest over the allotted
time Thee Great Northern officials
and employees who had immediate SUI
pervision of the train and the care of
the party covered themselves with
glory.
Every incident of the long trip had
been anticipated, and the legislators
HuJOySu TIE COIIllOIl VI lIlSlF uOIneS OF
hotels.
Assistant General Passenger Agent
c. E. Stone, of the Great Northern,
who personally conducted the tour,
was assisted by Travelling Passenger
Agent Fred E. Hills, who assumed
personal charge of the house section
after the train was divided at Duluth.
J. w. Tongue, assistant superin-
tendent of dining and sleeping cars,
was personally in charge of the COM
missary. He and his assistants mer-
tied much praise. With the exception
of the Friday night banquet at Du-
luth, every meal was eaten on the
train. Every meal was served on time
and the service was remarkable for
the manner in which so large a nlrty
was cared for in two dining cars.
In the three days the party travelled
about 700 miles, and had not only an
opportunity to visit the greatest mines
Of the iron country and study the
countrys other resources at short
range, but to make fairly comprehen-.
sive visits to nearly all the principal
towns. Not a single unfortunate in
cident marked the entire trip. 1t was
instructive to the tourists. and that 1t
will be valuable not alone for the iron
country, but to the entire state, can
scarcely be doubted.