The Electrification of the Railways The report of Lord Weir's
Committee, of which we wrote in anticipation last week, is so definite that little excuse is left for inaction. Without taking account of any increase in traffic, or of any return from the roads to the railways, the report predicts a return on capital of seven per cent. for the main lines and thirteen for the suburban. In addition there will be employment for 60,000 men for a number of years, an immediate psycho- logical stimulus to industry, and an equal stimulus to the general progress of electrification in industry. The main difficulty that is expected is in the raising of capital by the railways, but the Government, which already has a large measure of control over the railways, might help in this respect, if it is convinced that the scheme is sound. Great Britain led the transition into the direct coal- burning period, and this report presents to her the opportunity to lead the transition out of it. It is the kind of chance which does not recur.
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