[50] “La dépense tout à fait stérile des 500 millions pour racheter des lignes ferrées improductives, les exagerations du projet Freycinet lors de sa naissance et les extravagances de développements posterieurs qu’on lui a donnés, des sommes énormes dépensées en des canals de transport, qui, pour beaucoup du moins, font double emploi et jouissent d’aucun trafic, toute cette mauvaise direction a absorbé les resources de l’État en sacrifices inutiles et ne lui a pas laissé le loisir de supprimer l’impôt sur la grande vitesse, les timbres sur les récepissés des chemins de fer, et d’obtenir, par un juste retour, des réductions de tarifs qui n’auraient été accompagnées d’aucune augmentation d’impôt.”--M. LEROY-BEAULIEU in _L’Économiste Francais, February 27th, 1886_. [51] It is generally assumed that the railways in Germany were purchased with the view of more effectually utilising them, and the rolling stock for military purposes. The Government in this country are under no necessity to undertake the liability of acquiring the railways and guaranteeing the dividends for such a reason; the number of lines of railway and routes are so ample, and the number of engines, carriages, and wagons so great, that any movement required for the defence of the country can be carried out within any reasonable time, while under the Regulation of the Forces Act, 1871, Her Majesty, by Order in Council, may empower any person or persons, named in such warrant, to take possession of any railroad and of the plant belonging thereto, and to use the same for Her Majesty’s Service at such times and in such manner as the Secretary of State may direct; and the directors, officers, and servants of any such railroad, shall obey the directions of the Secretary of State. [52] See note, page 118. In Belgium, out of a total mileage at the end of 1884 of 2,711 miles, the State owned 1,930, or more than 71 per cent. of the railways. The outlay upon this mileage was as under:-- (_a_). Cost of railways actually purchased £36,668,915 (_b_). Amounts payable by annuities 12,442,804 (_c_). Capital expended on lines worked by State 3,900,653 ----------- £53,012,372 The interest paid by the Belgian Government on the above capital outlay was-- (_a_). 4 per cent. (_b_). 4, 4½ and 5 per cent. (_c_). 4¾ per cent. The gross receipts on the State railways for the year 1884 amounted to--Coaching £1,620,565 Goods 3,088,108 Sundries 98,971 ---------- 4,807,644 and the expenses to 2,871,268 ---------- leaving net receipts £1,936,376