U. E. Gillen retires from mangership of rails terminal

Veteran railwayman relinquishes duties middle of month

Makes announcement

With almost half a century of achievements in railways in Canada and the United States, including the construction of the Toronto Union Station and viaduct completed, Ulmus Edwin Gillen, General Manager of the Toronto Terminals Railway Company, last evening conveyed to the members of his staff at the offices in the Union Station the official information that he would retired on Oct. 15.

Mr. Gillen told the staff that an official circular would be issued today under the signature of S. J. Hungferford, Vice-President of the Canadian National Railways, and Grant Hall, Vice-President of the Canadian Pacific Railway, directors of the Toronto Terminals Railway Company, officially announcing his retirement. The circular, which is dated Montréal, today, says: "Effective Oct. 15, 1931, Mr. U. E. Gillen, who has so satisfactorily filled the position of General Manager during the viaduct construction period, having expressed a desire to retire, has been granted leave to absence until Feb. 29, 1932, from which date he will superannuated.

"Effective Oct. 15, 1931, the General Superintendent of the Canadian National Railways and the Canadian Pacific Railway, Toronto, are appointed joint Managers ."

Station construction.

The construction of the new Union Station and the viaduct in this city is claimed to represent a uniform standard of excellence, which will stand comparison anywhere. The expenditure on Union Station and viaduct has been in excess of $25,000,000. The duties of the General Manager of the Toronto Terminals Railway Company include the management of the Union Station, and all the activities there. It was Mr. Gillen who made the arrangements for the opening of the Union Station by the Prince of Wales.

Mr. Gillen last night informed the news of his coming retirement. "After 47 years, my thoughts have naturally turned to relaxation. While I may be away on occasional trips, I am going to make my home right in this beautiful city", he declared.

To friends, "U. E." is a man of kindly humor and of rare old-fashioned courtesy. Although the construction of the station and viaduct was his greatest achievement, he will be widely remembered for his work in wartime.

Critical times during war.

October, 1917, was a critical period in the Great War. The Canadian Railway Association for National Defense was formed, with all the railways participating. The object was to secure greater co-operation, not only between the railways themselves, but between the railways and the public. Mr. Gillen was made Chairman of the Administrative Committee, and is favorably remembers for the excellent transportation service provided for the excellent transportation service provided in Canada under the most trying circumstances. Railways at that time were taxed to their utmost to move food, ammunition, supplies and soldiers destined overseas, and at the same time provide ample freight and passenger service for the people in Canada and the United States. In July, 1918, the Canadian Railway Board of Adjustment was formed for the purpose of avoiding strikes and settling labor disputes on the railways during the war, and is still in existence. It was highway successful.

Born in Missouri.

Mr. Gillen was born at Brooklyn, Mo., Feb. 27, 1867, and began his railway career with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul as a clerk in Canton, South Dakota, in 1884. His connection with the Grand Trunk Railway began in 1901 as Trainmaster at Belleville. From that time he passed rapidly through various stages of the service until he became Vice-President in Charge of operation and Maintenance. It was in June, 1919, he was appointed General Manager of the Toronto Terminals Railway Company. He also served as Chairman or as a member of a number of the most important boards of conciliation and investigation established in Canada since the war and has always succeeded in obtaining a majority or unanimous report.

U. E. Gillen is identified with a number of railway associations, and is a director of two Chicago railways and a member of clubs in Toronto, Montréal and Chicago. As a Past Potentate of Rameses Temple of Mystic Shriners, Toronto, he is well known in Canada and the United States. He is a Past Master of the Transportation Masonic Lodge, Toronto, and is also identified with the Royal Arch Masons and Cyrene Preceptory of Knights Templar. He is a member of Parkdale Baptist Church.

Railways: T.T.Ry.

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