Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/631

 THE FIRST GERMAN MUNICIPAL EXPOSITION 613

lies in dwellings of two and three rooms and kitchen. The conditions in such a tenement were not considered entirely satis- factory.

In July, 1891, a stock company was formed (eighty shares at 1,000 marks) to build dwellings for people of small means. In July, 1892, sixteen families (ninety-six persons) were housed in the dwellings thus provided. These were three-story semi- detached buildings, and were much better arranged than were those built in 1888. The demand for these dwellings was so great that the erection of others followed. In 1893 there were eight houses providing for thirty-two families (190 persons). The cost, including lot, for these was 109,000 marks. The dwellings rent at from 13010 200 marks per year. In 1896 further progress was made. Ten more semi-detached buildings were planned ; and in order to meet the demand, all dwellings were to consist of three rooms and kitchen, W. C., cellar, and woodbin. The three rooms and kitchen cover 49 square yards. For each three families a laundry is provided. Each family (including those in the earlier houses) has a plot of ground for a garden 40 square yards. The cost of lot and building was 1 50,000 marks. The rent ranges from 190 to 270 marks. Almost half the applications for these dwellings had to be refused, so great was the demand. Thirty families (170 persons) are thus provided for.

The condition of these dwellings was far in advance of the previous condition of workingmen's homes ; but the housing of so many people together left much to be desired. As a conse- quence, the municipal government began to study the question whether or not the community might build houses of which the workingmen might come into possession. From a study of dwellings, including those of the employees of the Krupp Gun Works in Essen, the municipal authorities decided that the best results were obtained by providing the workingman with a hearth of his own. The conditions for family life, for cleanliness and order, for economy, and for morality were found far better where the people had a feeling of personal possession than where they, rented. It was decided in February, 1894, that the municipality