These notes were prepared at the request of the General Director of the Norwegian Railways (Mr. L. Segelcke), in consequence of a proposed reconstruction of the Benevolent Funds of the railways. Each traffic district has, besides the Pension Fund for its functionaries, a Benevolent Fund; and these latter funds have gradually accumulated considerable sums, out of which they grant allowances to widows of the functionaries; also, in exceptional cases, to retired functionaries in needy circumstances; but always in the form of gratuities given from year to year at the discretion of the Directors. As, however, there exists a strong feeling in favour of the conversion of the Benevolent Funds into funds securing a fixed annual provision for the widow, and for the children under a certain age (for instance, 18), I was requested to prepare a report on the subject.