Clinton News Record, 1944-04-06, Page 6CANADIAN
NATIONAL
GRApos
S Yh ` CE THE CALL
TO ARMS
WITHIN AN HOUR of the opening of hostilities the
Canadian National began what has proved to be
the largest and one of the most exacting war
' jobs in Canada. This job has continued day and
night without stop for four and a half years. •
•
FROM SEPTEMBER 10,1939 to March 10, 1944 the Cana-
dian.. National carried more than 100 million
passengers and 300 million tons of freight. Since
the beginning of the war the Canadian National
Dining Car Department has served 13,631,387
meals.
THE RAILWAY not only hauled away the completed
munitions of war, but brought in the raw mate-
rials to. make them. Without this two-way ser-
vice, Canada's magnificent job of production
could not have been carried out The Canadians
National itself builds mine -sweepers, 12,000 -ton
freighters, naval guns and gun mountings, air-
craft components, and parts for other gun
factories.
•
OF THE 100 MILLION PASSENGERS carried; a high
percentage consisted of members of the armed
forces proceeding to camps for training and to
shipboard for embarkation.
•
STEAMSHIPS OF THE COMPANY, though reduced In
numbers by sinkings through enemy action, have
served gallantly in the war as auxiliary armed
cruisers, hospital ships and transports.
•
CANADIAN NATIONAL Express and Telegraph facili=
ties have worked to capacity to meet war de-
mands.
The Canadian National's nine all -year hotels,,
situated in cities from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
have provided service of an essential nature to
those engaged in the war effort. All the Com-
pany's resort hotels are closed for the duration.
•
22% OF THE PERSONNEL in Company's service in 1939
have jpined the armed f orces. In Victory Loan cam-
paigns Canadian National men and women have
purchased bonds to the amount of $26,924,600.
•
TRANS -CANADA AIR LINES, subsidiary of the Canadian
National Railways, has carried 435,000 passengers
during the war, 9,417,000 pounds of. air mail
letters, and 1,476,000 pounds of wartime air
express. Trans -Canada Air Lines is also flying
the Atlantic regularly with mail to and from the
armed forces.
is of X943 Optatioss,
hl�gh 80,426,781
34, 731
�; 500+
freight carried . ,440,615+955
Tons of exs.carried. • $116,140+295
paet ng ' .enue. • . $35,639,412
GrasOperating
S at g Rev 195,59,41 6
Net Surplus...... $ 10 12
Gash getal 'Payroll . of Employees... 23,562
Tv rage stein R ute lvlileage...... • •
Total SSste lip
NSPOR'
a NATION az WAR
The Canadian National has been privileged to join with all the citizens
of our country, including those who are serving in the armed forces, in
the prosecution of the war. It believes that Canadians will be interested
in this outline of some of the System's war activities.
Extracts from Annual Report of the Directors of
the Canadian National System:
OUR OBJECTIVE IN 1943, as in. other war years, was to place the full strength of our man=
power and facilities behind the war effort of the United Nations. To this end alI energies have
been directed. The requirements of the armed forces, of industry and agriculture, for transport
and.other services, have been met in all of the nine Provinces of the Dominion and in the import-
ant sections of the United States in which we operate.
RECORD TRAFFIC
These demands were greater than ever before,
the traffic moved in 1943 being 17.3% greater
than in 1942, the previous . peak war year,
and 44:7% greater than. in 1928, the peak .
peace year.
Freight traffic in 1943 was more than double
that of 1939, and passenger traffic four times
that of 1939.
Despite this, the very large movements of
war materials and personnel reached their
destinations in accordance, with schedule ar-
rangements. There was no lowering of the
recognized standards of safety.
MANUFACTURE OF MUNITIONS
The Company also extended its 'activities as
a manufacturer of munitions, ships and naval
appliances.
EARNING POWER
The 1943 operations demonstrated the great
earning power of the System, the railway
proving again that it can handle an immense
volume of business economically as well as
expeditiously.
After providing from revenue for all oper-
ating expenses (including deferred mainte-
nance, depreciation, amortization of defence
projects and reserve for inventories) and also
a reserve for pension contracts, taxes, interest
on funded debt and Government loans, the
surplus paid in cash to the Government was
$35,639,412.
OPERATING EFFICIENCY
The operating ratio for the year was 73.64%
(an all-time record) as compared with 76.93% in
1942 and 81.99% in the peak peace year of 1928.
It is interesting to note that the vastly
increased war traffic in 1943 was handled with
16.6% fewer locomotives, 15.4% fewer freight
cars and 5.1% more passenger cars than was
the traffic of 1917, the fourth year of the last
World War.
SPECIAL SERVICES PROVIDED
The Company was honoured in being selected
to provide extensive train and other services
for Prime Minister Churchill, President Roose-
velt and Madam Chiang Kai-shek during
their visits to Canada in 1943.
POST-WAR
Changing conditions will call for new methods
of railway operation and new types of service,
and there must needs be a continuing search
for improvement in all aspects of the railway
industry. In view of this, the Company has
in hand a programme of research. This pro-
gramme, in addition to considering ways and
means of improving service and efficiency of
operation, also encompasses the problems of
post-war reconstruction and rehabilitation.
THE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES in alI departments of the System have worked hard and
loyally to cope with increased responsibilities arising out of the war, and the directors record
their appreciation and thanks. The traditional harmonious relations between management and
employees were maintained throughout the year. Appreciation also is expressed to shippers and
the travelling public alike for their cooperation in and sympathetic understanding of difficult
operating conditions caused by the war.
Chairman and President'
C:NAIJJAN NATI ONAL
The Largest Railway System in Aneriea.
1