Belgium 77 



already stated, very considerable, so that from twenty to thirty 

 miles may be talked over for 2 '^d. 



The rates for internal and international trunk talks are the 

 same as those from subscribers' offices, already given. 



Subscribers, on producing cards of identity and signing their 

 names, may use the public stations free within the limits of their 

 subscriptions. Beyond such limits, or if they do not produce 

 cards, they pay exactly like non-subscribers. 



A non-transferable public station card is supplied gratuitously 

 to each subscriber, who is also entitled to a second one in favour 

 of a partner, employee, or member of his family. If more than 

 two cards are required an annual charge of i6s. is made for the 

 third, and of Ss. for each additional one. Each card must bear 

 the signature of the person to whom it is issued, and when using a 

 public telephone station he must sign a sheet kept there for the 

 purpose. The attendant must see that the signatures correspond. 

 These regulations are identical with those introduced by the 

 author in Scotland in 1884 in connection with the issue of tele- 

 phone stamps. 



Monthly public station cards for local use only are also issued 

 to non-subscribers at a charge of 4^. 



Automatic slot boxes for checking payments are not used. 



6. Charges for call messages. The charge for a telegram to 

 a non-subscriber requesting his attendance at a specified public 

 station at a certain time, is 2-4^. within an area, and 3 '$6d. 

 without. 



7. Rates for the railway station service. For this a supple- 

 mentary subscription of 4/. per annum, or 2/. 8s. per half-year, has 

 to be paid. 



WAY-LEAVES 



The State has no right to place telephone poles or fixtures on 

 lands or buildings without the consent of the proprietors. Under 

 the Telegraphs Law (No. 593) of June u, 1883, proprietors and 

 tenants may not refuse to allow unattached wires to hang over 

 their lands and buildings, but they are entitled to compensation 

 for their presence. No work of any kind must be done over or 



