23 JUNE 1906, Page 2

The appointment of a Departmental Committee on Railway Accounts was

announced on Monday. By the terms of refer- ence the Committee are to consider and report what changes, if any, are desirable in the form and scope of the accounts and statistical returns (capital, traffic, receipts, and expendi- ture) rendered by railway companies under the Railway Regulation Acts. Mr. Clayton Cole, one of the directors of the Bank of England, is Chairman. Among other members are Mr. W. M. Acworth and Mr. George Peel. Mr. George Peel and those who have joined with him in past years in agitating for a drastic revision of our railway statistics have every reason to be gratified at the result of their efforts.