Switzerland 



415 



In 1889, the last year of the 61. inclusive tariff, the total receipts 

 of the telephone system amounted to 1,275,906 francs (51,0367.) 

 Under the new tariff, which involved a very serious reduction, 

 they had risen in 1891 to 65,3407., having recovered lost ground 

 and gained 14,3047. into the bargain. For the last two years the 

 receipts have been 



1892 



74,0917. 



1893 



m,74O/. 



* Very good,' a Post Office protectionist will doubtless cry ; ' but 

 how about the poor telegraphs ? They were built with the Swiss 

 people's money, and the Swiss people have a right to be guaranteed 

 against the ruin of their property.' Well, here are the telegraph 

 receipts : 



1891 ... 110,1717. j 1892 ... 111,0347. j 1893 116,6237. 



Notwithstanding the enormous increase of telephone ac- 

 commodation, the telegraphs have continued to gain ground. In 

 1893 the telephone receipts had increased 37,6497. over the 

 previous year, and for the first time equalled and surpassed the 

 telegraph, yet the telegraph receipts increased also ! The reason 

 was that everywhere the telephone fed the telegraph, and the 

 telegraphs of the world were brought to the firesides of nearly 

 20,000 Switzers. 



The following statistics from the last available official returns 

 are of interest as showing the comparative extent of the different 

 classes of traffic and the rate of growth : 



