Business shows big improvement during 1936

Factories, merchants and C.N.R. report increase of 10 to 20%

Merchants in every line of business, factory managements and officials of the Allandale Division of the Canadian National Railways report an increase in business of from ten to twenty percent for 1936 as compared with 1935.

General Christmas trend of business is back to normal, some claiming their business to be ahead of the boom years of 1928-29. The quality of goods purchased for gifts and throughout the entire year has been on a much higher plane than in previous years. Merchants report more cash sales and faster turnover.

After five years of comparatively slow business, in which many of its employees were forced onto relief rolls, the C.N.R. has recalled practically every man in the Allandale Division. Thirty-eight trainmen are running study jobs in Northern Ontario. Many firemen are also holding runs in the northern division. Last summer five gangs for repairing tracks were sent out from Allandale, whereas in previous years two extra gangs of men were all that were sent out.

Freight has increased, with forest products, stock shipments and machinery from Orillia for Northern Ontario mines, sending receipts soaring. Even in the boom years the Allandale Division never ran so many trains to accommodate the many passengers over the Christmas period, eleven extra trains running in sections.

The First Co-operative Packers of Ontario, Limited, show an increase of 24.90 percent in sales for 1936 over the previous year. Figures show $345,700 paid for live stock from May till December 8th, as against $418,800 in 1936. Wages took a jump of $9,700 in 1936 over 1935, and the number of employees has increased from 64 to 81, according to a report released to the Advance by K. N. M. Morrison, manager of the plant.

The Barrie Tanning Co., under the new management of Wicket and Craig, claim business to be back to normal years and an increase in employment. In the last four years employment at the tannery has not been steady. This year 75 men have been kept at steady work for five and a half days a week. The factory is being renovated, with faster and more straightforward processing being instituted. A good name is being instituted. A good name is being built up for the products of the trade and with many orders on the books for 1937 the management reports bright prospects.

Leighton S. Clarke, of the Clarke & Clarke Tanning Company, manufacturers of fine sheepskin leathers, told the Advance to-day that business had shown an increase of from of from 15 to 20 percent in 1936 over the previous year and that 70 men are at present on the payroll, which has been increased by 15 percent.

Railways: C.N.Rys.

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