Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/863

 THE FIRST GERMAN MUNICIPAL EXPOSITION 829

wholesale and retail trade. The markets have a place of their own, and exist side by side with the stores and shops without supplanting the latter. Their advantages are, from the stand- point of the community, the excellent opportunity for food inspection which they offer, and, from the standpoint of the indi- vidual, the cheapness of a large and varied assortment of fresh goods offered for sale.

Fire-fighting. The careful formulation of building laws and the thoroughgoing enforcement of them make for good con- struction of buildings, which is, of itself, a preventive measure. One of the recognized duties of the fire department in Dresden and other Saxon cities, for example, is to render an opinion on plans submitted to the building department. Further duties, aside from those usually pertaining to such departments, are : the overseeing of the prescribed periodical chimney-sweeping ; the inspection of the safety of large stores, churches, theaters, and places of amusement ; the inspection of stores of spirits and of petroleum ; and the testing of petroleum. The fire depart- ment is well organized and under strict military discipline. Chemnitz exhibited a very comprehensive collection of objects used in the training and education of her firemen, as well as an interesting collection of models of historical apparatus. Suits resembling those worn by divers as well as various fire-proof helmets, gloves, face-masks, etc., were exhibited. The very formidable-looking suit of the Kiel department is water-proof, rather than fire-proof. A sprinkling apparatus attached to the fireman's helmet and connected with a lead of hose envelops the man in a protecting sheet of water. The Leipzig suit is supplied with an oxygenator, rather than with a pipe leading to an air- pump outside the building, as is usually the case. The fire-alarm telegraph systems are well developed, and the best ones are sup- plied with modern American apparatus. Speed is usually lack- ing, both in getting away from the engine house and in going to the fire. There is noticeable, however, a more systematic arrangement in the newest stations in Berlin and Kiel which is suggestive of the American plan. Automobile engines, as used by Hannover and adopted by Dresden, have greater speed and are said to be more economical. The steam-driven engine is,