Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 10.djvu/114

UNITED STATES

Railroads.—The following table gives the railway mileage of the United States on Jan. 1, 1919:

Canals.—The principal canals in the United States, the year of opening, and their total length, are as follows:

Religion and Education.—There is no State or officially recognized religion in the United States. Every form of religious belief is tolerated by National and State laws, but no sectarian distinctions are permitted to be considered in public legislation, the prevailing sentiment of the country being that each sect or denomination must maintain itself without any public aid. The Roman Catholic is the most powerful religious body. Its membership as reported represents the entire Roman Catholic population as compared with the communicant members of other denominations. It is derived from various sources spread widely over the country. In the Northeastern States it is made up largely of Irish and French-Canadian stock, while further 