VIL-STATE RAILWAYS. The Fascist Government has stated that the deficit '.>f the State railways, estimated at 654 million lire for 1923-24, will be reduced to 374 millions, and to nothing . 1n 1925. Up to the present, however, we have had nothing but promises and speeches; there have ·been no precise details. The only document issued has been a little work distributed by the Railway Con1missioner in August, 1923. This booklet begins with defamations, unquestionably anti-national, of the Italian public of past years, members of which are said to have been '' in the habit of travelling without a regular ticket,'' and to have paid "only in limited numbers for a ticket of admission to the stations,'' while- ''evil-doers committed every sort of criminal offence. '' It is a fact that Fascist bands provided plentiful examples of travelling ,vithout payment, until at last the Government was co_mpel1ed to issue a circular on the subject. It is a fact that in various parts of Italy, on occasions of Fascist celebrations, none of the participants who travelled by train paid their fares. The Fascist Minister of Public YVorks was asked in Parliament how many free tickets had been issued during 1923, outside certain categories legally entitled to them, and how many free trains had been run. As yet he has been unable to reply. Personnel. Under the old regime the railway staffs were reduced from 242,000 to 226,000. The reduction in 192 I -2 ~ alone amounted to 1 o, 797 employees. (Report of Signor Alzona, Director-General of Railways, November 30, 1922.) Under the new regime, according to the Commissioner's statement, the number has been reduced to 190,000, and it can be further reduced to 180,000. Everyone \\'·as in agreement as to the necessity of 42 BibliotecaGino Bianco
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