The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-09
MASTER RAILROADMEN.
Story of Donald z. Mann and the
Work He AccompIished.

Story of Donald z. Mann and the
Work He Accomplished.
In 1856 there was no Canadian Northern
Railroad; to-day there are 700 miles Of il
IN operation, under construction, or sur
veyed At the present rapid rate Of ex-
tension IL viii IN a fcrr -ears form a con-
tinuOus streak OF steel rom ocean TO
ocean, making the third transconunental
highway in Canada. The Canadian North
ern is unique among railroads in that its
shares are aot scattered among a large
number Of holders, but are owned and
controlled by two men, William Macken-
zle and Donald D. Mann, two OF the most
interesting characters Canada has yet
produced In the current number OF
Hampton's Magazine The Hfe-stoTies OF
these Two men are told In a striking man
ner.
Mackenzie's early experiences embrace
school teaching, operating a sawmiI. and
running a country store IN KirSfeld, On
tario. where he sold tobacco. jack-knives.
pipes, and blue jeans 70 Canadian lumber
Jacks He left Krkneld and went out
West Gin Canada and IN three years,
from 1854 10 ISL. made his first $4,000 IN
the contracting business. he was ad-
vised by a civil engineer 10 try contract
work in building trestles for the Cana
dian Pacific Railway. on the first JOB he
lost money. Try again. said his friend.
Mackenzie did-severaI times. Contract
inE became a passion with him
Then he and Mann got together and the
partnership has been one OF large profit
70 both men. Mackenzie Is known as a
financial wizard bis ability TO secure
capital TO float his enterprises IS one OF
his chief characteristics He slips over 70
England every now and then so quietly
that ne Is back almost before any one is
aware Of his departure-and he brings
with him the cash needed for new rail-
way extensions or big enterprises Of some
kind. He IS genius for selling bonds
and for getting the majority OF them
guaranteed BY the Canadian government
IL matters not whether times are pros
porous: he can borrow millions where
others would find Il difficult 10 negotiate
the loan Of e postage stamp. his busl-
ness interests are extensive. and he IS
said 10 have TeJUvenated more lopsided,
lettering enterprises than any OtherCRna-
dian. he owns tTolleys as well as steam
railways. and among other corporations
on his list is a brewery. De IS sixty-one
years Old
Donald D. Mann has been farmer. river
driver. sawyer. railway NAVY, construc-
tiOn boss, contractor. miner-and James
!. Hfu has said that he Is the greatest
railway builder IN the world. Thirty years
ego Mann was several dollars worse on
than nothing He was born in the coun-
" Of Halton. Ontario. not far from the
sleepy town OF Acton and Just six miles
east Of lockwood. the birthplace OF
James J. Hill.
After several years OF the hardest kind
Of labor IN Canadian lumber camps, he
returned 10 Acton one day On the sug-
gestion OF his brother. they leased a we'll
timbered farm for three years. II was
an unfortunate venture. Don" as he Is
Familiarity called. got deeply IN debt ana
called an auction OF all his goods and
chattels 70 help meet his obligations, but
the proceeds liQUdated only a small part
Of. them. After this disastrous venture
Mann went out West He had a few
years before labored in Michigan luun-
Der camp driving logs and running a
saw in a single mill. he secured a sub
contract at taking out logs and trimming
them into ties for the Canadian Pacific
Railroad. Later he took contracts for.
which, being q born boss OF men. he
managed TO make a good deal OF money.
He had been by himself as a contractor
for four years when. IN 1915, he first be-
came acquainted with Mackenzie near the
town Of Kicking Horse Pass. in the Rock
ies, but It was not until twelve years
after that they formed the partnership
that has continued ever since
One day in 1895 Mackenzie told Mann
that the Lake Manitoba Railway and
Canal Company was in financial straits
and that the charter for the proposed
line from Portage du Prairie at Dauphin
and Lake Winnipegosis could be secured
at a bargain. The road was less than
half completed and the part IN operation
employed only fourteen men, The char
ter covered a distance OF rs miles. Mac
kenzie and Mann bought it, The Cana
dian Northern has grown from that.
Mr.. Mann is six feet tall and weighs go
pounds his jaw IS square HIS thick,
black hair is strealled with gray. and his
closely cropped beard shows the frosts OF
hfty-six winters. 4 believer in hard work,
Mr.. Mann inspires a lore OF labor in 9TH
ers. He has few hobbies. &c is inordi-
nately fond OF smoking. he never had a
cigar between his teeth until he was
thirty years Old but now his waking
hours are filed with smoke He owns a
magnificent home in Toronto and is de-
voted to its interests.