Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 10.djvu/703

 REVIEWS 687

the point, omitted by most American writers on this topic, that there is some rivalry, and even friction, between the council and magis- trates, and that politics does sometimes play its part.

According to Professor Gurlitt, city-building was first developed in emulation of foreign progress, but was later adapted to German requirements. Typical examples of changes made in old city plans, as well as many new plans, are used to illustrate the principles set forth.

Professor Schumacher traces the architectural development of the cities after a long period of unproductiveness. He shows the attitude of the municipal officials toward architecture and its effect upon the city, through the erection of public buildings, the preservation of the historic character of the city by protecting its old buildings and, in some cases, by making modern buildings conform in style to this older architecture and through the regulations and restrictions of the building department. This monograph shows that the author maintains a very sane attitude toward style, character, and utility in architecture.

Oberbaukommissar Gruner refers to the city plan as one of the most important functions of the Baiipolizei, though not always in its hands. Then he turns to a discussion of the duties more naturally connected with the department: care of the security of buildings erected or in process of erection, including sanitary conditions and fire-resisting properties, and the many other building regulations which, in German cities, are formulated and enforced.

Herr von Welck, after giving the results of a study of housing statistics, divides the subject of housing into two parts : the care of dwelling-houses keeping them clean, repaired, and free from over- crowding and the building of new dwellings by the municipalities or by building societies, with such aid from the municipalities as grants of land, relief from taxation, etc.

Dr. von Seidlitz has an article on the art of the exposition, the models, mayors' chairs, and the like. He turns also to a slight dis- cussion of architecture as suggested by the models, plans, paintings, and photographs exhibited at Dresden. The treatment of archi- tecture is, however, not nearly so good as is Professor Schumacher's.

Under " Gartenanlagen " Bertram treats of trees in streets and squares, parks, general gardening, and landscape gardening in the cities. It is the modern, closely built, industrial centers that first feel the need of municipal activities in this field. The author sketches the