| Thursday, May 30, 1935 | The Globe (Toronto) | Page 12, col. 1 |
Closing of branch line on C.N.R. hotly opposed
Railwaymen claim $8,000 loss in 1934 for Whitby-Cresswell section—Rail board reserves decision.
Port Perry, May 29 (Special).—Proposed abandonment of the C.N.R. branch line between Whitby and Cresswell, a distance of thirty-three miles, which would leave a large section of Ontario County without railway connection, was strongly opposed when the Dominion Railway Board convened here today. Port Perry businessmen, farmers, shippers and importers from the entire district voiced their protests, while W. H. Moore, M.P., addded his words against closing the branch line.
I. C. Rand, counsel for the C.N.R., claimed operating loss on the branch for 1933 was $17,164, while the $575 spent a mile for maintenance was low. In 1934 the loss was cut to approximately $8,000 due to increasing traffic and lower operating cost.
Needs repair.
It was pointed out that the roadbed is in a deplorable state of disrepair, and at least $10,000 would be required to provide ballast and new ties, while steel rails laid in 1886 would not be renewed. Citizens pointed out that with improving business conditions the loss in 1934 had been cut in half, compared with that of 1933. In 1935 it might be possible to wipe out the loss altogether. It was further claimed to be grossly unfair to consider losses of recent depression years when the line was a most profitable one for many years.
Interested in the administration of the people's railway, W. H. Moore declared himself shocked with the arguments used by railway officials for the abandonment of the line. "Of course you have reduced service and injured earnings. Unless you give service you cannot have earnings," said Mr. Moore regarding the bi-weekly train service.
Protests voiced.
Grain importers and exporters claimed they would have to shut their elevators and flour mills if the railway was taken out.
Mayor Bowman of Whitby, a real estate broker, claimed the value of farms and property generally would decrease in value Reeve W. M. Letcher of Port Perry, Reeve Albert W. Jackson of Whitby and others all made strong protest. The board reserved its decision.
Railways: C.N.Rys.