An almost unprecedented rush in lumber traffic is reported 

 on Lake Superior. In its issue of July 19, the Duluth Herald 

 said : 



"Ten lumber boats fully loaded left the Duluth harbor in 

 the last twenty-four hours for lower lake points. 



"The continued activity in the lumber shipping branch of 

 the lake shipping business is the sensation of the season. 

 Other years there have been spurts from time to time, but 

 at no period during the last few years has the business con- 

 tinued at top speed from the beginning of the season with 

 such persistence as it has this year. 



"The boats are coming and going and being loaded and 

 unloaded as fast as possible. More men are engaged in run- 

 ning boats, loading and unloading, than in many years. And 

 on the lake the steamers are going down and coming back at 

 high speed, racing even being indulged in to get to the docks 

 first. 'It's a regular old-fashioned lumber shipping year, with 

 rivalry between the different boat lines at fever heat,' re- 

 marked an old-time lake man this morning. 



"Every boat that can be quickly turned into a lumber 

 hooker is being made to carry the commodity. There are 

 more boats carrying lumber this season than in several years. 



"All the boats are taking capacity loads and the steamers 

 that can stand it are being fitted out with two consorts." 



An investigation of expenditures in the federal forest serv- 

 ice by a. special senate committee has been asked in a resolu- 

 tion introduced by Senator Overman. 



The resolution was referred to the committee on urgent 

 expense. It was inspired by reports of abuses. 



"I am informed," said the North Carolina senator, "that 

 duplications of payments have occurred; that more officials 

 are employed than are needed; and that timber lands are 



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