Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/457

 THE FIRST GERMAN MUNICIPAL EXPOSITION 441

typical examples may be cited in Augsburg, Breslau, and Chemnitz.

In Augsburg, a city of 89,990 inhabitants, there was formed, in 1900, a Bausenat, to which the Baupolizei itself is subordinated. This "senate" is composed of the two burgomasters and ten magistrates three jurists (paid magistrates) and seven citizen magistrates (unpaid). This number may be increased when necessary by the addition of magistrates of either sort for the sake of their expert knowledge. These magistrates have, then, both seat and voice in the senate. Other city officers may be called in for consultation, but do not vote. Plans, with a peti- tion signed by owners of adjacent or affected property, are pre- sented to the department of buildings. The plans then go to one of the burgomasters, and next to the adjuster for the depart- ment of buildings, who arranges compromises with such adjacent property owners as have not signed the petition (i. e. t those who have any objections). Then the matter comes to the building department, the city surveyor (if the proposed building is to adjoin public buildings), then also to the city architect, the city engineer, to the superintendent of water-works (Oberingenieur fiir Wasserbaii}, if turbines, etc., should be planned for. Then the plans go back to the building department. After its opinion has been passed upon the plans, they go to the chief of the department for his signature and to the adjuster of the depart- ment. For particulars the plans may be referred to seven other departments fire, health, "business," etc. Then they go to the second adjuster, who gives the consent of the municipality, con- ditionally or unconditionally; then back to the department of building, and finally to the "senate" for decision.

It is surely a great reel of red tape, and the "right of protest" on the part of neighbors and of the municipality is reminiscent of olden times.

In Breslau, with 427,164 inhabitants, conditions are different. At the head of the department is the Ob erbur germeister, and the burgomaster and deputy magistrates. The executive work is in the hands of the commissioner of the department of building, who has under him a building inspector and assistants. The