OUTLOOK FOR IRON KEMP, 



293 



GENERAL PROGRESS OP PRODUCTION. 



By these figures a modest but steady growth in the production 

 of iron ore is shown up to 1884. A marked increase then developed, 

 which subsequent figures will show was chiefly due to the entrance 

 of the Gogebic and Vermilion Eanges. A rapid growth followed to 

 1890; and then production held steady, or, as in 1894, temporarily 

 dropped back during panic times. Following 1896, the growth was 

 very marked and was chiefly due to the Mesabi Eange. Hard times 

 checked it in 1904, in 1908, and again in 1914. No industry is more 

 sympathetic with general business conditions than is the production 

 of iron and steel. 



The figures also show that the great increase in output is due to 

 the growth of the industry in the Lake Superior region. Without 

 the contributions from the lake, the country as a whole would be 

 back in the position which it occupied in 1886, with about 10,000,000 

 tons total production. 



In general, if we look back to 1860 and take time by decades, we 

 may say that to-day the production is twenty times what it was in 

 1860; fifteen times what it was in 1870; eight times that of 1880; 

 three and one-half times that of 1890 ; and twice that of 1900. We 

 can not continue in the same ratio, but must ere long reach our 

 zenith. 



Production of the Lake Superior ranges in millions of long tons. 



A brief survey of the figures relating to the individual Lake 

 Superior ranges will justify the following conclusions: The Mar- 

 quette, Menominee, Gogebic, and Vermilion Ranges show a steady, 

 normal increase in output, which is not startling nor one to cause, 

 under ordinary circumstances, undue apprehension. Some signs of 

 73839°— SM 1916 20 



