Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/637

 THE FIRST GERMAN MUNICIPAL EXPOSITION 619

need. It is, however, a temporary aid, and, as far as the real tramp the loafer, the shirker is concerned, it encourages him rather than otherwise. To compel the lodger to earn his enter- tainment by working during the morning hours defeats an evi- dent purpose, namely, that of temporary aid to workmen seeking work tiding over a crisis.

The real workman will seek work, and will not long be dependent upon the lodging-house for shelter. Those not inclined to work are cared for at the workhouse ; while those inca- pacitated for work are cared for by the charity bureau. Employ- ment at the workhouse is steady, and continues from 6 A. M. to 7 p. M. The work is strict and hard, and no effort is made to make it agreeable. It is by no means to be considered as pref- erable to ordinary employment. There is separation of the sexes, and usually also of the members of a family. The inmates work at truck gardening or at small trades.

Since the workhouses are usually compulsory institutions, there is a place for another sort of institution for men who are able and willing to work, but unable to find work to be done. Of this type are the labor colonies, found in all parts of Germany. The earliest labor colonies were, for the purpose of winning over waste land to cultivation, located in the country. They are open to all strong persons, in need of work, without regard to " posi- tion, religion, or worthiness." Those recently released from prison are also received. Entrance is voluntary, but unless opportunity to work is offered, a minimum sojourn is usually required that the results at which the colonies aim may be real- ized: discipline, order, industriousness, sobriety, and decency. The sick, the weakly, the lazy, those who find their work too hard, can find no advantageous opening in the colonies. The chief work is agriculture. The more recently formed city colo- nies are located in cities, and the work is the making of simple, cheap things readily disposed of: brooms, kindling-wood, mats, chairs, etc. A small wage is paid less than the average price for similar work in the district and from this is deducted the expenses of the "colonist." The only punishment is expulsion from the colony, and in severe cases the placing of the name of