It is to be hoped that this great financial operation, which will place the Anglo-Argentine Company at the head of the most important tramway companies of the world, will not fail to benefit the public, and that the Company will also turn its attention to improving its equipment and to lowering its fares to a uniform rate. On the other hand the number of passengers carried by the Buenos Ayres tramways is constantly increasing, as may be seen in the following table:—— Passengers Carried. Gross Profits. Year. Horse Electric. Horse Electric. Total Profits. Traction. Traction. 1901 95,436,421 30,088,803 £848,318 £294,822 £1,143,140 1902 92,638,025 33,593,734 827,979 334,060 1,162,039 1903 71,048,519 62,670,779 636,801 596,719 1,233,520 1904 65,532,745 82,746,352 587,022 805,071 1,370,093 1905 34,486,547 174,455,022 489,741 1,049,949 1,539,690 1906 24,927,089 175,773,158 232,903 1,565,472 1,798,375 1907 7,338,563 217,702,183 67,659 1,926,054 1,993,793 1908 293,269 254,780,627 1,980 2,229,547 2,231,527 These figures go to confirm all we have said as to the enormous development of capital in the Argentine, and of its commercial activity. _Electric Lighting._——In the matter of illumination, Buenos Ayres was early discontented with the old methods; electricity is now preferred both for public and private purposes. Today there are 721 miles of gas pipes and 233 miles of electric cables. The capital of the electric lighting companies is estimated at nearly £2,000,000, and their output at 30,905 horse-power. The electrical supply is chiefly in the hands of the German Electricity Company, with a capital of £1,850,000, which has already absorbed the two companies previously in existence. Its equipment was furnished by the famous firm of Siemens Halske, which stands in the front rank of German electrical manufacturing firms. _Telegraphs._——Another mark of progress is the continual extension of the telegraphic system. The national, provincial, and private lines together represent to-day a length of 31,215 miles, of which 15,125 belong to the State; twenty years ago the mileage was barely half this figure. As for telegraphic communication with the exterior, there are two foreign cable companies, one possessing the cable running to the United States _via_ Galveston, and the other that communicating with Europe _via_ Madeira. Communication between London and Buenos Ayres is now established in about forty-five minutes, while a few years ago the average was five hours.