Only CN benefits from EJ&E deal

Canadian National's CEO, Hunter Harrison, is sticking with his story -- or not.

First, he said his opponents were stupid, too dumb to see the value of 30-plus freight trains per day through their towns. Then, he said we were selfish.

With $56 million-plus in annual compensation and his bonus riding on closing the EJ&E deal, he should know what selfish looks like. Now he says we're "overstating" the impact of the trade deal.

Candor and compassion isn't part of the railroad industry's DNA. After all, they don't call it, "getting airlined." People in Des Plaines and along the Wisconsin Central line want desperately to believe this NAFTA partner, CN, when it says they'll take the trains and put them in other Chicago communities. The truth is out there though, if you look.

Even Rep. Jan Schakowsky's own letter of support on CN's Web site acknowledges, "Removal of trains from lines through the center of Chicago will free up capacity for other carriers (to move in)."

What is the benefit to the region? Will it bring more jobs? CN brags that it'll eliminate hundreds of Midwest trucking jobs. EJ&E workers lose too.

The only significant jobs being created by CN buying the EJ&E are in Harrison's hometown of Memphis, where he's hailed as a hero. Only CN wins in this transaction.

Will it reduce gridlock? Harrison's careful not to provide percentage comparisons of at-grade crossings. Don't feel bad, though. Harrison treats Canadian communities just as lousy. In Canadian Parliament this time last year, a minister stated, "These people (from CN) seem interested, but in the end nothing ever comes about. That's how it is. Maybe it's time for CN to make some investments (in our communities' health and safety.)"

It's you, CN, that understates the impact of your arrogance.

Michael Deering

Barrington