DURING the discussions on the existing state and future conduct of telephony in the United Kingdom which have taken place pretty continuously during the last few years, many references have cropped up to foreign and, more especially, to continental practice. Statements have frequently been made as to the existence of what to the British public have appeared fabulously low rates in Holland, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, and elsewherestatements to which support was given, from time to time, by various consular reports. The facts set forth, the believers in, and advocates of, low rates in this country have endeavoured occasionally to turn to their advantage in argument, but, owing to lack of exact information and the denials of their opponents, with little result. The apologists of the existing monopoly have either traversed in toto the truth of the statements or have declared that the conditions under which such rates exist are radically different from those which obtain in the United Kingdom. They have asserted, for example, that the low rates are not inclusive of all charges; that the subscribers have to pay the cost of their lines or instruments, or both, and, after connection, for any repairs that may be necessary; that foreign telephone companies are not burdened with such payments to the Government as are imposed on the National Telephone Company here; that foreign adminis B trations (this has been specially said of Germany) have an absolute right to fix supports and wires wherever they please, underground or overhead, without payment; that labour is less costly on the Continent than with us; that foreign workmen and operators are not only badly paid, but mercilessly sweated; that the cheap systems are ill-constructed and worse managed; that the low rates, if they exist, are only applied in small towns; that they do not pay; together with various other assertions intended, and tending, to create doubt, and confuse the advocates of telephonic reform. The points at issue were so numerous and involved, and the question so interesting and replete with importance to the British commercial community, particularly in view of a possible Post Office acquisition, partial or complete, of the telephone systems, that the author determined to ascertain the truth for himself, and that by the best of all methods, personal inspection and investigation. Controversy had chiefly centred on the Scandinavian and German countries, Holland, Belgium, and Switzerland. All these, together with France, have been visited by the author, and the most minute inquiries as to the tariffs, rules, laws, technical practice, and other matters of interest conducted on the spot, the points enumerated above as being specially in dispute and indicated for examination receiving more than ordinary attention. The results of this inquest are now presented to the public in a form that, it is hoped, will facilitate reference to particular points and enable an accurate idea of the true state of matters to be readily arrived at. It will be found that no two nations have solved, or attempted to solve, the problem in exactly the same manner. In some cases the divergencies are wide, but in most great intelligence, combined with solicitude for the public weal, has been brought to bear, often with the most satisfactory results. It will be seen that except in two Russian towns, St. Petersburg and Moscow, which are in the hands of a monopolist company and where the rates are 257. per annum, no continental subscription comes up to the 207. rate with which we are familiar in London. On the other hand, subscriptions in some places descend to 27, 108. and 27. 9s. 7d. per annum, everything included, and are made to pay. The contention of the high-rate apologists that the |