should be, as it was, in both senses absolutely false, and inconsistent with Mill's other teachings.

I believe that no science quite equals Political Economy in the facility which it affords for using the same terms in absolutely different meanings without being found out. This may lend a charm to its study for those who enjoy humor; and when the different meanings are not only used by the same author, but jostle each other on the same page, the ludicrous effect is doubtless enhanced. Yet these vagaries do not conduce to strict scientific thinking, nor do they heighten the respect with which the science is regarded by those who lack the humorous sense.

VIII.

Up to this point in the history of the theory of wages it has been possible to trace a continuously progressive movement in the teachings of economists, as shown in the development and in the downfall of the wages fund theory. From this time out there is no such regular tendency discernible. No new doctrine has replaced the abandoned theory, or obtained the same general assent of scholars or of laymen. Here, then, is a fitting place to pause before examining the drift of recent and of contemporaneous thought on this subject.

Philadelphia.

STUART WOOD.

RAILROAD PASSENGER TARIFFS IN AUSTRIA.

THE October number of the ANNALS contained a communication from the General Traffic Manager of the Austrian State Railways relating to the new system of passenger fares introduced on those roads, June 16, 1890. We then promised a fuller account of the system in a later number. The following pages contain the more important provisions of the law taken from the book of instructions issued by the Austrian Government for the use of the public and railway officials. Many of the provisions in regard to special cars, special trains, sleeping-cars, etc., are essentially the same as those contained in the Hungarian Instruction-book, formerly printed in the ANNALS, and are therefore omitted here.

I. RAILROAD LINES TO WHICH THE FOLLOWING TARIFF REGULATIONS APPLY.

The following regulations apply to all Government railroads, and to all private railroads under Government control, except the following private railroads:

Böhmisch-Leipa - Niemes, Chodau-Neudek, ElbogenNeusattl, Kaschitz-Radonitz, Nusle-Vrsovic-Modran, Potscherad-Wurzmes, Mährische Westbahn, Olmütz-Cellechonitz, Vöcklabruck-Kammer, Wels (Haiding)-Aschach, Wittmansdorf-Ebenfurth, Gleisdorf-Weiz, Lemberg - Betzec (Tomaszow), Kolomeaer local railroads, Bukowinaer local railroads.

On the above-mentioned railroads the present tariff remains in force until further notice.

In the calculation of transportation rates the railroad

1 Tarife und Tarifbestimmungen für den Transport von Personen und Reisegepäck. Gültig vom 16 Juni, 1890. Wien, 1890.

2 See article in ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY, vol. i. No. 1, July, 1890, entitled, "Railroad Passenger Fares in Hungary," p. 103.

lines within the territory to which this tariff applies, in so far as they are not separated by railroads not under Gov ernment control, are considered as one system.

The following private railroads are the only exception to the above:

Prag (Smichov)-Obernitz-Brux-Moldau, Dux-LadowitzOssegg-Bodenbach, Ossegg-Komotau, Hannsdorf-Liegenhals, Mösel-Hüttenberg, Fehring-Fürstenfeld. With respect to these the fare is not based on a calculation in connection with the other roads, but the rate of charge is made anew to and from all connecting points.

II. REGULATIONS RELATING TO PASSENGER TRAFFIC.

I. PRICE OF PASSAGE.

By the purchase of a railroad ticket the passenger does not acquire the right to the free transportation of any baggage except hand-baggage.

A. General Passenger Rates.

The prices of tickets (except the additional sums resulting from the division into zones) are based upon the kilometre: for the 3d class at 1 kreutzer the kilometre; for the 2d and Ist classes at two and three times this amount, respectively. On express trains 50 per cent. increase is charged for all classes.

The fundamental rates, then, are, per kilometre, for the passenger and mixed trains: I kreutzer (0.4c.) for the 3d class, 2 kreutzers (0.8c.) for the 2d class, and 3 kreutzers (1.2c) for the 1st class. Similarly for express trains: 1.5 kreutzer (0.6c.) for the 3d class, 3 kreutzers (1.2c.) for the 2d class, and 4.5 kreutzers (1.8c.) for the 1st class. The distances from each station, or stopping-place, are uniformly divided into fixed distances, or zones, within which, in calculating the passenger fares, each distance is reckoned to the final station of the zone-thus: the first 50 kilometres are divided into 5 zones of I myriametre (10 kil.) each; the following 30 kilometres, into 2 zones of 11⁄2 myriametres (15 kil.) each;

the following 20 kilometres, into I zone of 2 myriametres (20 kil.) each; the following 100 kilometres, into 4 zones of 21⁄2 myriametres (25 kil.) each; so that the first 200 kilometres are divided into 12 zones. The distances over 200 kilometres are divided into zones of 50 kilometres each.1

The actual fares to be paid, then, can be seen from the following table:

1 The kilometre is equal to 0.621 of an English mile. The first five zones, therefore, contain each a little over 6 English miles: the sixth and seventh zones have each nearly 9%1⁄2 miles; the eighth has 12%1⁄2 miles; the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth, 151⁄2 miles each. Every succeeding zone contains 31.05 miles.

2 Figures in upper line of each set are kreutzers; lower line dollars and cents. The florin is reckoned at 40 cents.

The actual charge made for tickets appears from the preceding table, except when different rates must be made to meet competition. The price of the ticket increases by 50 kreutzers for every 50 kilometres or fraction thereof, after 200 kilometres is reached. The actual division of the stations into zones can be seen from the zone-charts which are posted in each station, and from the table of rates. These are also issued (together in one book) for the combined lines.

B. Subscription Tickets (Yearly Tickets).

Yearly tickets are issued:

(a) Good on all lines upon which this tariff is in force. The price of such a ticket is, for the 1st class, $120.00 (300 fl.); for the 2d class, $80.00 (200 fl.); and for the 3d class, $40.00 (100 fl.).

(b) For small distances, exceeding, however, 50 kilometres, the price of such a ticket varies according to the length of the journey, and can be seen from the official tariff table, which gives the prices for all tickets up to full yearly tickets good for all lines. If yearly tickets for smaller distances are desired upon connecting lines by means of which the whole or part of the return trip can be made by another route, the price for the longest route will be charged.'

1 From a letter addressed to Editors of the ANNALS by Dr. Wessely, General Traffic Manager of the Austrian roads, dated November 7, 1890, it appears that these full yearly tickets entitle the holder to ride as often as he pleases on any part of the lines embraced in the system. The system now includes a network of roads more than 6500 kilometres in length, a little over 4000 miles. The ticket consists of a small book containing the photograph of the holder, a copy of the Regulations pertaining to tariffs, and a list of the roads on which it is good.

Yearly tickets for small distances are also sold at a very great reduction. Thus a yearly ticket entitling to ride a distance of 50 kilometres as often as one pleases is sold for $18.40, $27.60, $36.80, for the three classes respectively; tickets for 100 kilometres, at $24.90, $36.80, and $49.20; for 200 kilometres, at $36.80, $55.20, and $73.60, etc., with rates for all distances between these. The rate for 224 kilometres, third class, is $40.00, and for this sum a full yearly ticket can be purchased. The same condition is reached at 334 kilometres for the second class, and 389 kilometres for the first class.

Vor M