The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-28
WHAT THE CANADIAN PACIFIC
WILL DO FOR WINNIPEG

A visit to the terminals OF the Canadian
Pacific in Winnipeg is a revelation to one
with preconceived notions based on
knowledge Of similar institutions in the
large railway centers Of the south. It Is
surprising to find such a large yard and
such large traffic being handled Both
seem to be greater, relatively, to the size
of the city than Is ordinarily found to be
the case In cities that Winnipeg has not
yet presumed to equal in the volume of
business transacted
1t is generally understood that the bust
ness Of Winnipeg is in a hourishing con-
dition, that the west which contributes so
largely to the prosperity of the place has
lately trebled its demands for all 1.-The
classes of goods distributed from it con-
sequent on the bountiful harvests of the
| last two seasons, which have fixed the
eyes OF the English speaking world on the
favored country that produced them and
drawn an unprecedented influx of immi-
grants from the United States and Britain
of most desirable class. But still the
bulk Of traffic being carried on appears
| to be disproportionate to the size of the
business interests. individuals engrossed
in the daily routine of their business know
when times are good or bad in a general
way, and each one has his reason, gem
orally the state of his own affairs, or his
optimistic or pessimistic nature, which
|
the possessor Of for the sermon that he
cannot be kept from preaching; but the
most infallible Indicator after all is. to be
found in the rise and fall of local traffic,
which can only be ascertained in a rail-
way terminal where all the business units
become blended in one.
Here is the place where the volume can
be got at, and comparisons instituted
with corresponding periods Of past years
| n fol Nfr o,>,. ofxoo
sion. Yet, Notwithstanding the fact that
progress is in the air, and appears to be a
fixed habit of the country; that it is as
wise to prepare for expansion as it is Sun-
usual one would expect terminals the size
| of those to be capable of accommodate
ing all the demands made on them, and
more, assuming for the moment that nor
NAL Conditions prevailed.
! d Looking Ahead.
| But business is taking such gigantic
strides that what is abnormal to-day Is
moderate tomorrow, so in preparing tc
jump into the future again the company
is showing it's belief in the permanency OF
the startling advances the country is MAX
/ ing.
The present yards were built years age
at a time when the traffic through then
left margin for expansion that no one
expected to see used up; room for growth
here, and plenty of it. The bulk of the
city's warehouses have a newness abou
them that shows they waited security Of
business growth, and necessity. In con
trast the size of these comparatively ole
l railway yards shows the company ha6
I faith in the future; and now, when TIT
traffic Is testing every resource Of thu
facilities another stretch out is to be made
in one comprehensive plan which viii
quadruple the capacity Of the freigh
terminals, and give unlimited scope TO
carrying on the multifarious and complies
movements that are never suspected b.
Ethe man who doesn't know it all'' (b,
the way, a stranger up here)..
The work has already been started, an
a large part Of it will be completed thi
1 year, and next year the entire work will b
4 finished The writer has had the privileg
of inspecting the plans for the new termi
nails; he has some idea of what can b
done in them, and, therefore, ventures tn
4 assertion that, when Winnipes's bushes
begins to tax their capacity a city wi
exist that has now no equal In Canada. j. !.
i Congestion to Be Avoided.
It would be interesting to know why tn
company is developing the yards on sue
a mammoth scale, as the usual practice
to make such places just a little b1gge
!. than big enough. The principle of allow
ing for growth has something to do wit
it, also, that with a reasonable enlarge
ment the unexpected might happen an
cause an addition to be made in a fey
years; but the main reason is probably
be found in rhe business paralysis that ha
periodically visited the large American cit
! les during the last eighteen months, OWN
r to congested terminals; congestion tina
} became SO acute at Pittsburg last yea
} that the vast glass manufacturing estab
lishments decided to move their plants
l and would have done SO had not the Penn
! sylvania system, by extra ordinary efforts
unfortunately at the expense of other pla
3 ces, afforded partial relief till the crisi
: was passed.
0 Winnipeg is fortunate in having terrnins
n facilities assured that will make such
business affection impossible, and also a