25 OCTOBER 1913, Page 3

The papers of Friday announced the appointment of a Royal

Commission to inquire into the relation between the railway companies and the State in respect of matters other than safety of working and conditions of employment, and to report what changes, if any, are desirable. Lord Loreburn is to be chairman, and among the other members are Lord Derby, Sir H. Primrose, Mr. Huth Jackson, and Sir W. Plender. The vague terms of reference evidently include the question of nationalisation, but this, we venture to say, will be the least practical side of the Commission's work. The Daily Mail states that, apart from nationalisation, the following subjects will be investigated : the relations of the companies to one another, the existing agreements as to working and "pooling," and rates, tariffs, and fares.