Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 206, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1911 — HOLLAND’S RAILROADS. [ARTICLE]

HOLLAND’S RAILROADS.

They Are bperated at a Lota to Aid the Canal Traffic. In contrast with the history of Belgium, Germany. France and Austria, Holland aloue of all European countries presents a situation where the railroads require protection from the competition of the canals. Holland thus reverses the general rules ..which apply inrall other countries. Railroad development was remarkably slow in Holland. The first Dutcb railroads were short local lines, while the waterway system was extensive and strongly intrenched. At length, convinced that she could not keep pace with other European countries by her waterway system alone, the Dutch government constructed an ambitious line of railroads connecting with the International lines of Europe.

The railroads were built hot with any expectation that they would be profitable as investments, but because they were considered absolutely necessary to save the country from Industrial decadence. Holland Is the only country in the world In which tbe state has provided both rail and wa-» ter highways substantially free of capital charge. Tbe railroad? are now operated at a loss to supplement the waterways, which parry 90 per cent of the traffic of Holland.—American Review of Reviews.