Grade separation given year's hoist by railway chiefs

Toronto left to "cool her heels" for another twelve months regarding what will be done about viaduct ordered over decade ago—Canadian National officials meet privately

Conference Monday brings to action

The Canadian National Railways directors' first meeting in Toronto has come and gone and the perennial question of grade separation on the waterfront is still unsolved.

After many delays.

The meeting, held here yesterday, was arranged for six months ago, when President Henry Thornton addressed the Toronto Board of Trade at an evening meeting. At that time he told the Board of Trade and others gathered at the banquet table that he and his follow directors would hold a meeting in Toronto at which the viaduct question would be the first order of business. A day was set for the meeting, but was later changed to yesterday to meet the wishes of Sir Henry Thornton, who wished to go West.

While the Mayor and Board of Control, the Harbor Commissioners, the Board of Trade and the Downtown Association received no intimation that they would be invited to attend the Toronto meeting, the representatives of all these public bodies were within call all day yesterday, waiting to be summoned into conference on the viaduct question. Intense disappointment was voiced last night when the Canadian National Railways Board rose without even hearing those who have taken a special interest in the viaduct question.

Much disappointment.

From one source The Globe was informed that it is the policy of the directors not to have outside parties present when any question directly affecting the railway is discussed. However, several well-known citizens expected to be heard yesterday and were disappointed at the formal statement made after the meeting of directors in the new Union Station.

Sir Henry Thornton said that no action had been taken in reference to the Toronto viaduct. In the last analysis, he said, the question is for the Toronto Terminals Company. Of course, out representative would listen to anything we have to say.

Sir Henry stated that the work involved a large sum of money and required a great deal of deliberation before any decision could be reached. The cost had and trebled since it was ordered and now involved a sum of approximately $30,000,000.

Anxiety without action.

The President of the Canadian National Railways said he was convinced the Canadian Pacific Railway is anxious for an early settlement of the question. He had talked it over with a responsible official of that company and he saw no reason why they should not place their true sentiments before him.

And they are just as anxious as we are to see the station opened, he declared.

Sir Henry appeared anxious not to say anything that might be construed by the people of this city as something like opposition to the interests of Toronto. He admitted that is inflamed on the subject. It was necessary for such a large matter to be given the fullest consideration.

Within a year it would be possible to say what they were going to do. Everything will be out in the open by then, he declared. He would not promise a shorted period. In a year the situation will be known to the public, Sir Henry said.

Railways: C.N.Rys., C.P.Ry.

Stations: Toronto

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