Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 10.djvu/74

62 a large single tract, but is in smaller tracts scattered well over the city. Mannheim owns about 30 per cent, of the city's area, Ulm more than three-fifths, and Düsseldorf has devoted the sum of five million marks to the purchase of land for the municipality. In 1900 Dresden entered into a new municipal undertaking, mortgaging. All land taken as security must lie within the city limits, and the size of the sums loaned is limited. Düsseldorf is engaged in a similar undertaking.

Municipal savings banks.—The savings banks conducted by the municipalities are largely for the benefit of the poorer classes. Very small sums are accepted, and a fair rate of interest is paid. Some of them name a maximum sum which may be withdrawn within a given time; this protects the banks, and also leads to continued saving, as the money cannot all be withdrawn at once. A graphic chart exhibited by Frankfurt a. M. showed that the most important role is played by the smaller accounts, from 1 mark to 60 marks. The regular increase in the number of banks and in the size of sums deposited was shown by charts from Magdeburg, Düsseldorf, and others. In Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Dortmund municipal old-age insurance is connected with the savings banks. The institution in Düsseldorf is intended for such persons as factory employees, day-laborers, and house servants.

Municipal pawn-shops.—The pawn-shops conducted by the municipalities are a great boon to the poor. They are numerous and well located, and are thoroughly honorable and reliable. A graphic chart exhibited by Frankfurt a. M. showed some interesting facts. Toward the end of the year, clothes are regularly redeemed, because of the need for winter clothing, for holiday clothes, and because the Christmas presents bring an increase of available money. A chart of the weeks in 1901 showed a regular excess of pledges at the first of the week, and of redemptions at the end of the week; and that just before the chief holidays—Easter, Christmas, etc.—there is a marked increase of pledges redeemed. It is evident from this that the municipal pawn-shop is the wardrobe where the poor man keeps his best clothes.

Statistics.–The Germans' pre-eminence as statisticians is