The public has occasionally seen it in speed contests and rate wars. In the middle eighties the Grand Trunk, stung by the too challenging advent of the C.P.R., and both lines being subject to certain personalities which should have subdued themselves, ran competing trains between Ottawa and Montreal in something over two hours. For several years, owing to incompatibilities at the top, the Grand Trunk and C.P.R. did not exchange passes. When the Grand Trunk Pacific was building, and a Grand Trunk Pacific man had business in Montreal, although the shortest way was by C.P.R.--and the journey would bring revenue to the C.P.R. sleeping and dining car departments--he travelled via Chicago, because President Shaughnessy and President Hays had fallen out. It is no reflection on Lord Shaughnessy or Sir William Mackenzie to say that they did not get along well together. The explanation was in the conscious majesty of the C.P.R. in presence of a rival which had carried all the marks of infant feebleness and youthful audacity; and in the natural-born imperiousness of a man who knew without boasting of it, that he was doing a great work, and did not need, on his abilities, to take second place to any native or adopted Canadian. But even here, the individual incompatibility could be subordinated to a statesmanlike regard for interests which were greater than either man’s temperament--of which two instances may be given. Perhaps the most brilliant stroke the Canadian Northern ever made was the acquisition of the line from Regina to Prince Albert from its owners, and away from its lessees the Canadian Pacific. When it is said that at the beginning of its operation as a Canadian Northern branch the old Qu’Appelle and Long Lake furnished six million bushels of wheat for delivery at Port Arthur, the importance of the change may be appreciated. It gave us main line haulage equal to 600,000 miles for one full-loaded car. In the fall of 1906 the lease to the C.P.R. was expiring, and the owners of the railway offered it to the Canadian Northern. Mr. Mackenzie caused Sir Thomas Shaughnessy to be asked whether he desired to retain the road, as he would not negotiate if the C.P.R. wished to retain the property. The reply was a speedy “No,” and the transfer was settled that very day.