Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-01-22

these materials be shipped like cordwood we are
not obliged to build. operate factory. nor
have big payroll, worry about strikes or labor
troubles. BY shipping the steel direct to purchaser
and contracting with the nearest foundry for the
joints and rings, are enabled to effect a great
saving in freight, and sell the poles at practi-
caly the same price anywhere in the United States
At the present time there about 100000 miles
OF pole line telephone and eiegraph in operation
in the United states BY far the greater part OF this
mileage IS located in the east, but the linking up of
the cities. villages and rural districts OF the west is
proceeding at such rapid rate while the increase of
mileage in the east has by means reached it's
limit that it is safe to declare that the greatest
growth OF the telephone system is still before it.
With this prospect the question concerning the
pole line construction companies is the future
supply OF poles and timber for arms. The year
book Of the Department OF Agriculture, for 1905,
says: "Assumng that the 100000 miles OF pole line
are constructed basis OF forty poles to the mile
and that each pole contain average Of 20 cubic
tcet, 1t will be seen that there Use 81 OOO
OOO poles representing 6+OOO0OOO cubic feet OF tim
Der If the average length of life OF these poles is
seven years there are annually needed for the main
tenance OF the present lines alone over 4O5O,OOO
poles, containing approximately 95O00OO0 cubic feet
OF TIMBER and II 1t requires 90 years grow pole
to maintain the supply there should be seven poles
growing Tor every one III use 22+OOOOOO poles for
renewal merely besides what the extension Of bust
ness will call for The timlcrs chiefly used for poles
are chestnut, and northern. southern and Idaho &C.
dar. also long leaf and short leaf pine, red CEDAR
CYPRESS redwood. locust, catapa and several OF the
oaks used. For cross arms. long leaf. short leaf
and oblolly pines OF the south and NORWAY pine OF
the north used; also cedar, CYPRESS spruce and
red fir.
AS measure against future distress from scarcity
OF poles both the government and the telegraph and
telephone companies are carrying extensive
pernents III the preservative treatment OF poles
tending both to engthen the OF service OF the
pole and also to adapt new species to the purpose.
Considering these facts must conclude that this
is one OF the most discussed problems of the day
with the managers of all telephone, telegraph and
railway companies, we'll the engineers Of the
I. ). and other governments.
The growing scarcity OF poles is indeed alarming.
he price of poles for the last 20 years has gradually
advanced and kept pace with the increasing scarcity
OF timber until the prices have become about pro-
hlbtive, and the near future must necessarily put
wooden poles out of the race
The forests of the United States. as we'll as MANY
other countries. are disappearing rapidly and the
natural substitute is iron and steel not ONLY for tele
phone telegraph and trolley poles, but for bridges
and all other structural work these conditions have
caused much concern amongst engineers, capitalists
and far-seeing men of our country.