The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-30
IRON ORE, TRADE
BREAKS RECORDS
Enormous Figures Shown in the
Years Operations on Min
nesota Ranges.
Special to The Journal.

Duluth, Mimi. Dec 30.--In the course of a
review Of the Lake Superior iron ore trade Of
1904, written year ago, the present writer
stated, lit is necessary for Lake Superior
miners to produce the coming season at q
rate much above 1902, when 27,5o0,0O0 tons
were forwarded And mines are preparing to do
this. On every range they extending oper-
atoms, and new properties are being opened,
especially on the Mesabi, where not far from
ten new shippers will be in the field in 1905
The year then advancing has now closed
and the truth of this prophesy is demonstrated
the shipments of the year, compared to those
Of 1905, or even Of the banner year, 1902 look
tremendous
/ A year ago the various railways engaged in
hauling ore to Lake Superior were arranging
to spend about SIS, 00O,O 600 in additional facli-
ties for hauling and loading Two-thirds
of this was by the roads running to the Mesaba
range, and owned by the United States Steel
corporation. At present the various roads
ming to the lake are arranging to spend almost
three times that sum, the total of their ex-
OF all this vast sum, the Duluth, Missabe &
Northern, whose operations entirely con-
fined to the Mesaba range is spending 81, 5OO,
900 and the two remaining roads that serve
Minnesota mines. about 81, 500, 900 more. Every
shipping port on the upper. lake and almost
every railway company hauling ore in guam
whose size is somewhat indicative Of the
pected increase in ore movement. Naturally the
Nesaba range, whose proportion of the total
shipments Is steadily increasing, is leader in
| betterments and it is with reason, too that
the United States Steel corporation, whose bust
ness is IS per cent of the WHOLE should be
compelled to send more than all others COM
bined. t5S
Output of 3s.5oo,ooo Tons.
The year 1905 has been one to test the
| facilities Of every branch Of the industry;
| mines on all ranges; railroads to Lake Su-
perior ports; shipping on the lakes, receiving
docks at lower lake ports and railways from
| Erie to interior furnaces. The enormous ship
ment of 81, 500 900 tons, SO far beyond any
thing that had been done in past years, and
SO much ahead of expectations, gives wide
spread proof of the ability Of every link in
the chain. The test was exceedingly satisfac-
tory. But all facilities are to be materially
extended during the present winter. In no pre-.
ceding season have there been under consid.
Grafton SO many ore pockets at upper lake
ports az are contemplated now; never but
and motive power equipment; In previous
year have there been such contracts for new
ore Ships while the betterments at lower lake
ports, in the way Of new unloading machines
added car equipment facilities to move ore
from docks to furnaces, areSgon an important
scale. y "
There has been talk of greatly increased
gone to 100000 end 40, 600, 900 tons out\ OF
the Lake Superior region. 1t Is hard to SEE
how such increase be made, OR where
the ore is to come FROM It is undoubtedly
true that old ranges have practically reached
their maximum. They cannot gain except In
small and unimportant way. The additions Of
the future, the immediate future, at least
must be from the Mesaba. After such mag
7,171, 900 TONS is it scapable of another O.
5, ZOO, 900 or 100000 tons in single season
It does not apepar Neither railroads no
mines are now in position to stand such {
Of the winter calculated for such tonnage
extensive and elaborate they