Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/649

 THE FIRST GERMAN MUNICIPAL EXPOSITION 627

supplied from the cooling apparatus of the neighboring gas-works. The operating expenses are naturally very low ; and baths cost only 5 pfennigs (i^ cents). In the years 1897-1901 a bathing establishment costing 1,700,000 marks was built in Munchen, on the Karl Miiller foundation. It is magnificently furnished in palatial style ; indeed, it may seem almost too imposing for a Volksbad. It is evident that "the best is good enough for the people;" and this is gratifying, if the privileges can be offered at people's prices. Gelsenkirchen expended 625,000 marks in 1902-3 to build a bathing establishment with two swimming tanks, hot-air and steam baths, and the usual tub and shower baths. River baths abound usually inexpensive floating bath houses, where the fee is inconsiderable. The use of these is, of course, restricted to the warm weather season ; but they are exceedingly popular.

Public conveniences. Public lavatories, so generally lacking in American cities, are almost universal in German cities. Of those located under ground the best were exhibited by Aachen, Wands- beck, and Essen. Quite as unobjectionable, where there is not a lack of space, are the artistic little buildings, in the character- istic Niirnberg style, which Niirnberg exhibited. Augsburg, Halle, and Breslau showed buildings which are ornamental fea- tures of the squares and parks where they are located, as their architecture conforms to that of other buildings about them, or to their natural environment.

Water supply. Some municipalities own and control their water-works ; and others are served by companies which have franchises from the municipality. The principal differences to be noted rest upon the various sources of the water supply, depend- ent upon differing local conditions, Munchen is supplied with water from springs in a large forest reserve lying well above the city. The water from this, the largest spring-water supply in Germany, flows, by force of gravity, through two walled canals to a reservoir, 62 meters above the city level, from which it is distributed by gravity pressure. Aachen obtains water from a novel source. A lack of adequate springs has led her to mine for water. A gallery 2,318 meters long, I y 2 m. wide, and 2 m. high