Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-10-19
EIGHT
MILLION
OWNERS
That Many People In France Are AC'
tuaI Land Owners

Consul-General Robert p. Skinner
OF Marsellles, France, has made an
Interesting report on the subject OF
freeholders and real estate transac-
lions in that country, in which he
says that there are 100000 free
holders in France, and outlines
system whereby French workingmen
own their little country homes. Mr..
Skinner says in part:
"There are upward OF 100000
separate freehoTds In France, as
compared with about 100000 in
Great Britain, a fact which in Itself
speaks volumes. A Frenchman will
part with anything rather than land.
When the United States immigration
commission visited certain spot
near Marseilles recently It was found
impossible to ascertain the average
price OF land in that locality, be-
cause no transactions ever took
place, other than by inheritance. In
cities II is difficult for persons OF
modest means. like workingmen, to
own real estate, for obvious rea~
sons. Nevertheless, and especially
in Marseilles, where there Is an ex-
cellent two-cent-fare streetcar SER
vice, outlying property is being
taken up by families in moderate
circumstances.
There Is also q local custom
among poor men who feel that they
must reside In the city OF buying an
outlying patch of ground and erect
ing thereon a 'cabanon' of two or
more rooms, where they spend Sum
days and holidays. There are set
toy houses are to be found, each
with bit OF garden, deserted
throughout the week and scenes OF
great animation on Sunday. the most
intense rivalry existing to have the
best garden or the most attractive
'cabanon.' the day terminating in a
reunion, where poetical improvisa-
tions are listened TO songs sung and
speeches made.
''The government itself, which
fosters thrift by every means. en-
courages working people to aban-
don the wretched, crowded habita-
t.ons OF the cities and to become
honsoholders, by loaning out the
money OF the savings banks ('caisses
d'epargne0 not TO the Individual.
but 20 societies patronized by the
states. These societies effect the
transactions with the individual.
Thus the sooiete des Habitations
saiubres. SO Rue Paradls, Marseil-
les. advances money for the con-
gtruetion OF cottages at the rate OF
~ per cent. AS savings banks pay
depositors 2% per cent, the margin
10 close.
''These dealings are regulated by
the law OF April 10. 1906. Loans
are limited TO $500 francs ($lS3S)
In the city. and 20 1000 francs
ttiSbD in the envIrons. At pres
ent 10 cottages have been construct
ed in Marseilles under this law, the
occupants becoming owners, with a
clear title, at the end OF 90 years.
Building plans have to be submitted
20 the architects OF the society, and
must conform TO certain standard
requirements as TO light. ventilation
and sanitary arrangements"
There are also at work on some.
what parallel lines several French
building aud loan associations
which diner from American associa-
tions in that they usually operate
over more or less the whole OF
France, as do the great French
banks. The attempt Is made by the
moving spirits In these associations
TO expend their utility beyond mere
public service as, money-lending
agencies.
While depositors In these build
ing associations are permitted TO
build according 10 their own plans,
they are decidedly encouraged 10
adopt standard designs, OF which
there are many suited to all purses
IL is really surprising 10 discover
what comfortable little houses eau
be erected in this country for very
small amount, sometimes s2O0 ana
$500, All houses are built OF prao-
tieally imperishable and hreproof
materials. cheap frame constructions
never being employed,