Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-08

majority OF the gueSSerS, however, duHcFe
rather closely to his figures. There is no
accurate way of computing the wealth of
a nation except by taking the tax assess
ments. the bank deposits and other official
records, and those only permit of an APP
Proclamation. In England the income tax
furnishes q basis of calculation. and in
Germany the returns are even more, exact.
The bureau Of statistics in Washington
estimates the total wealth of the people
of the United States at S10l. 1O4 ,A1 81,
and the per capita at S1.31O.11, which is
$43o per capita more than that of England
and S:'.S per capita more than that of Ger
many. This is, however. more or less
guesswork, for reasons l have stated
Municipal Suffrage in Germany.
Ernest r. Colby of Appleton. Wis.
wants to know whether the property
qualification for municipal suffrage in
Berlin and other cities Of Germany has
been successful. and whether 1t has had
any effect upon municipal corruption.
Municipal corruption is almost un-
known in the German cities. The organi-
sation of their government is such to
place the responsibilities in the hands of
trained and professional administrators.
who are not under the influence of. politi-
cal parties. and. having adopted munich
pal service as career in life. they are
not subject to the temptations which be-
set officials elected for short terms.
In Germany the citizens of a municipal
ity for the purpose of voting are divided
into three classes according to the
amount of taxes they pay. and each class
elects one-third of the city council. The
first class Is composed of a few rich men,
banks and other corporations, mercantile
firms and manufacturers who pay one
third of the total taxes upon real and per-
sonal property. In some small cities and
towns the first class is composed of only
fifteen or twenty individuals, who, be-
cause of their heavy taxation, have the
right to select one-third of the body
which disburses the revenues they pay.
The second division is composed of those
citizens who pay the second third of the
total taxes. and includes what are known
as the middle classes-well-to-dO citizens.
shopkeepers. professional men and me-
-chanics who own their homes and whose
names appear on the real estate tax lists.
The third class is composed of all the
rest of the taxpayers OF the city. and in
cludes every one who contributes any
sum whatever. no matter how small to
the city treasury. Anybody who takes
out dog license or a permit to peddle
vegetables in the streets or who pays a
water rent for his apartment Is entitled
to vote for the remaining third of the
city council which fairly represents the
three grand divisions of the population
those who pay the first third. those who
pay the second third and those who pay
the third third of the taxes. Thus the
interests of eacn class are protected and
looked after. and neither can take undue
advantage of the other in voting appro-
priations for public improvements and
other purposes.
Selection Of Burgomaster.
The common council thus elected chooses
the burgomaster. not from among their
constituents nor from the political leaders
Of n1acQ mt capdi6utoa Wh
have had experience in that sort of bust
ness. A burgOmaster in Germany, as a
rule has served an apprenticeship In
minor positions in municipal govern
ment He begins at the bottom, and is
generally an engineer with diploma
from of the recognized schools of
technology. He is promoted from time TO
time as he shows efficiency. His ambi-
ton is to become the mayor of some
great city, just as an intelligent employe
of railroad aspires to become general
manager of the system. Indeed, the ar
rangement is very similar to that of our
great railroads.
The common council corresponds to the
board OF directors, the president of the
railway to their chairman, the burgo-
master to the general manager. The
burgomaster takes no part in politics.
He is the executive officer of the corpora
ton and is permitted to select it's subor-
dinates subject to the approval of the
council. just as the President of the
United States dominates his subordinates
by and with the advice of the Senate.
In Berlin, being the imperial capital. the
approval of the emperor is REQUIRED for
all of the proceedings of the common
council and the burgomaster, and only a
few years ago there was deadlock be-
tween the common council and his ma jes-
ty because the former had elected a bur-
goniaster who was persona non grata at
court.
1t will thus be seen that the executives
of German city have every inducament
to remain honest, because the slightest
stain upon their regulations would pre-
vent their promotion and practically ruin
their careers.
Would Not Be Endured Here.
In reply to an inquiry from William
Johnson OF Chicago, in this same connec-
ton. l would say that the German sys-
tenn of municipal government would not
be tolerated by the people of the United
States, for the reason that 1t would be
considered tyrannical. We are in the
habit of doing as we please, and we resent
any restraint that is placed upon us by
official authority. The people of an
American city would never for moment
submit TO such a law as they have in
some of the German cities authorizing
the chief of the buildings department
to determine what sort OF IA house or
business block a real estate owner shall
erect on his lot. This authority results
in uniformity OF types and a harmony
Of design that are pleasing to the con-
sentative tastes of the German people.
but 1t would provoke a revolution in the
United States.
Nor would our people submit to the
street car regulations which prohibit any
conductor from taking on more passen-
gers than his car will accommodate.
When ell the seats are filled and there
are five persons on the platform the car
will not stop except to let passenger
off. No matter how many urgent crowds
are waiting at the street corners anxious
to get downtown to keep important bust
ness enga gements. they are compelled 10
remain there until car comes along
without it's full quota. The railway COM
panieS are expected to furnish a suffi