The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-05
MINNESOTA
old YEAR IS BEATEN
Season Was Two Weeks Late, but
There Is an Increase Of Min
nesota Shipments.
Business Later May Not Hold Out
on Account of Eastern Labor
Troubles.
Epccia, to The Journal.

Dulutn, MIMI, uHe O.---AllIO OIc
shipments did not begin until two weeks
later than in 1902, there Is an increase
now over last years record, so far as
Minnesota is concerned. Up to this time
the state has shipped this year more than
100000 gross tons. which is an increase of
about 100000 for the corresponding period
of the previous year. This would appear
to indicate a larger shipment than for the
full year of 1902. but iron ore shippers and
mining companies are doubtful If their
early estimates of heavy business for the
season will be fulfilled. There will be a
decreased consumption on account of the
labor troubles among building trades in
the east.
The Great, Northern road has decided
not to build it's contemplated extensions
on the far western Mesaba range. These
extensions We're to mines that will not be
opened this year. and perhaps not for
some time to come. and the road does not
care to build in advance Of traffic.
Exploring State Lands.
The Zenith Furnace company of Duluth,
which has been exploring for long time
on the eastern Mesaba, is opening two
mines there and will provide a large part
of the ore it's furnaces will use. 1t Is try
Ing to find ore on state lands, as this ore,
under state laws. virtually gives the COM
pany smelling it in this state a bonus of
from Is to so cents a ton Of pig iron.
state royalty on ore mined on state school
lands and smelted In Minnesota. AS it is
impossible for the legislatu to take from
the school funds any moneys due them, it
will be necessary to appropriate from the
general funds to cover into the school
fund any deficit caused by these rebates.
In the Cheshire district Marquette
range of Michigan, there is wild boom
among those who have recently taken
lands from the government and original
settlers, over expected discoveries of iron.
So far no ore has been found but by the
Cleveland Cliffs Iron company, which is
comm encing to open a mine, but others
+ Will probably go in there There Is no
foundation for the boom now on, which
covers larger areas than ore may possibly
be found under
Baraboo Section All Right.
In the Baraboo section, where the Deer
Ing Harvester company has been working
for some time, indications are excellent
and 1t Is now assured that much ore will
be found. The Deering company which Is
operating under the name Of the illinois
Mining company" has just closed lease
for 400, acres that it has been exploring
and has paid large sum in advance roy
alties. It Is under contract to mine not
less than 10000 tons year, and will prob
ably take out far more for it's South Chi
cago furnaces and steel plant.
There are reports of ore discoveries on
the far western Mesaba, much off the gen
orally accepted trend of the formation.
Little is really known of the trend OF
+ the ore bearing district there. and 1t
would not be astonishing II it Should be
found to swing in the direction indicated
by these reported finds. If 1t does, the
possibilities for renewed explorations ir
district now disregarded, are good.
Not a Strong Bear Argument.
Iron ore on dock at lower lake ports this
season was about 100000 gross tons thu
largest amount ever known, and abou
twice the tonnage there at the CORES.
ponding period Of 1900. It Is, however
little more than proportionately greater
than IN previous years, and Is not at al
the bear argument that 1t has been twis
ted into. The facts are that Of ever,
two tons landed on Lake Erie docks dur
Ing a season Of navigation, one ton goe
Ito furnaces and the other remains at tn,
dock for later withdrawal, and this pro
portion remains fairly constant, while
with the annual increase In shipment thu
actual amount on dock every winter ant
spring is naturally larger than the yea
before.
Some Of the Corrigan mines in Crysta
X Falls have been abandoned, probably per
manently, and the company will make
! larger tonnage from others they are open
ing In that district.
The old Nanaimo mine, Menon1ine
range, that has been idle for many years
has been leased by interests connecte,
with the United States Steel corporatio,
and will be pumped out Immediately an
explored thoroly. It is likely to prov
q surprise to the pessimists.