COMMERCE AND lxnrsritv. The which haVe contributed most to the industrial development of Minneapolis are the advantages afforded by the Falls of Sand Anthony and their convenient location in relation to the abundant grain and timber of the Northwest. Excellent trauspo•tation facilities give the city command over these supplies and over the markets of the country. Twenty-two lines of railway. operated under ten systems, enter the city. With these advantages, Minneapolis has developed into the foremost city of the Nm.thwest, being noted par tienlarly for its manufacturing and wholesale interests. The first manufactory in the State was established at the Falls of Saint Anthony. It used first as a saw-mill and than as a flour mill. The power afforded by the Falls has been utilized more and more, until ..11inneapolis has become the largest tlour and lumber market in the world. The water power at the Falls of Saint An thony was developed. previous to 1879, to yield 30.000 horse power, aml in 18'17a new Ilan), giv ing 10.000 horse power, was eompleted. The United States Government is (1903) construct ing a system of locks and dams below the Falls which will add 10,000 horse power. For a num ber of years the lumber 111(111..41'y way 111()St import;ull. lent after the introduction of improved processes of tlour-iiiilling in the seventies• the latter industry surpassed lumber manufacturing, and has since rapidly outstripped it. This rela tion. undoubtedly, will continue to exist, as the tributary grain-producing area is constantly in creasing-, while the timber supply is diminishing. The lumber cut by Minneapolis mills increased from 118.223,113 feet in 1570. to 313.583.762 feet in 1890. and 378.113.000 in 1901. The duction of flour increased front 940.786 barrels in 1878 to 6,988,630 barrels in 1890. and 15. 921.580 in 1901. The daily capacity of the mills ill 1901 was 8(1.516 barrels, and one mill alone had a capacity of 15.000 barrels. Other prominent industries are the manufacture of foundry and machine-shop products, malt liquors. and linseed oil.
Among the railroads that contribute I -) the high commercial and industrial rank of Min neapolis are: t he Chicago and Northwestern; the Ihn•lin;=ton Route; the Chicago• \Iilww;uukee and Saint Pant; the ('hicago, Rock Island and Pacific: the Northern Pacific; the Great North ern: the Minneapolis. Saint Paul and Sault Saint
Marie: the Great Western; and the Saint. Paul and Duluth. The Mississippi River is navigable to 1liuneapolus, hut ves.els prac tically go no higher than Saint Paul. In the crop year 1891 there were received in Min neapolis 81.961.600 busliets of wheat. 9.266.300 blisliels of corn, 12.909.710 bushels of oats. 5, 348.940 bushels of barley. and 7.180.060 bushels of flax. In 1901. 118.650000 feet of lumber, lath, and were received, and 465,Ft:5,000 feet were shipped.
GOVERNMENT. )111111e:Ip011.: is governed muter a charter of 1872, granted at the emisolida lion of Minneapolis with Saint Anthony. This charter has been frequently amended by the Legislature. The city, through a commission consisting of fifteen resident. freeholders ap pointed by the district court, now has the power to draft a new charted• and amend it. subject to ratifieation by the people. The main elective officers of the city are the mayor. treasurer, roller. two 11110Bcipol judges, and the mem bers of the city eouneil. twenty—ix in munber, two from ea eh ward elected for four years, 0111' 111 eneli at every nial election. The eom0•il is a nide:intern] body. The mayor. treasurer. and comptroller nm' (.11.01 (..1 for two The veto may be overridden by a two-thirds of the council. There are also the following obaetive hoards: Liluary board. park hoard. and bo:n•d of edu cation. The police Ilepa rt meld is under the con trot of the mayor, who appoints the superin tendent and all members of the police force, the appointment of the superintendent, however, re quiring confirmation by the city council. The mayor is ex-officio meinher of the park board, the library board, the board of sinking fund commissioners, and board of charities and corrections. The last-named board consists of live members, the other four being appointed by the mayor.