d to my former criticisms, that I
have perhaps assumed that such an answer would be
forthcoming in all; and if I have taken up too much the
position of an apologist, where I should have been content
to be merely an observer, let me plead as my excuse that I
am only displaying the traditional zeal of the new-made
convert."

Prof. Hadley, of whose work, "Railroad Transportation, its History and
its Law," mention has been made above, contributed an article to the
April, 1891, number of the _Forum_, under the title "Railway Passenger
Rates." He endeavors to show that the high passenger rates of American
railroads are due solely to superior service. He says:

"Continental Europe pays two-thirds as much as America or
England and gets an inferior article. India pays still less
and gets still less. The difference is seen both in quality
and quantity of service. In India express trains rarely run
at a greater speed than 25 miles an hour. In Germany and
France their speed ranges from 25 to 35 miles an hour, and
only in exceptional instances is more than 40 miles an hour.
In the United States and in England the maximum speed rises
as high as 50, or, in exceptional instances, 60 miles an
hour. With regard to the comfort of the cars in different
countries, there is more room for difference of opinion;
but there can be no doubt that the average traveler in the
United States, or even in the English third-class car, fares
better than he would in the corresponding class on
continental railroads, and infinitely better than the bulk
of travelers in British India."

It may be admitted that upon the whole the speed of American and English
railroads is greater than that of continental roads, yet the difference
is much less than Mr. Hadley would make us believe. The fast trains of
the Berlin and Hamburg Railroad, according to Roell's "Railroad
Encyclopedia," make the distance of 179 miles in three hours and
forty-four minutes. The average speed is therefore 48 miles an hour.
There are but few lines in the United States whose regular express
trains run at a greater speed. The express trains of the Berlin and
Brunswick line make 45-1/2 miles an hour. Trains are run on the Vienna
and Buda-Pesth Railway at the rate of 42 miles an hour and on the Paris
and Calais Railway at a rate of over 40 miles an hour. Officia