Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-08-27
Freeh0lders
in France,


Interesting report on the subject of
:reeholders and real estate transac-
lions in that country. in which he
says that there are 100000 free
holders in France, and outlines sys-
:em whereby French workingmen
own their little country homes. Mr..
Skinner says in part:
"There are upward of 100000
separate freeholds in France, as COM
pared with about 100000 in Great
Britain, a fact which in itself speaks
yolumes. A Frenchman will part
with anything rather than land.
When the United States immigration
Commission visited certain spot
lear Marseilles recently it was found
impossible to ascertain the average
price of land in that locality, because
10 transactions ever took place, other
han by inheritance. In cities 1t is
iifficult for persons Of modest means
ike Workingmen, to own real estate.
or obvious reasons. Nevertheless,
and especially in Marseilles, where
'hClC 10 al CASCiAShC I"o-SOhI ioi
street car service. outlying property
3 being taken up by families in
moderate circumstances.
There is also a 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 Sun.
lays and holidays. There are settle
nents where hundreds Of these toy
houses are to be found. each with a
DIT Of garden, deserted throughout
The week and scenes of great ANNA
lion on Sunday. the most intense
rivalry existing to have the best gar
len or the most attractive 'cabanon.'
the day terminating in reunion.
where poetical improvisations are
listened to, songs sung and speeches
made
THE Government itself, which fos.
:ers thrift by every means, encourages
working people to abandon the
wretched, crowded habitations of the
cities and to become householders, by
Ioaning out the money of the savings
banks Cciasses d'epargneD not to the
Individual, but to societies patronized
IVY the State. These societies effect
The transactions with the individual
Thus, the Societe DIES Habitations
Salubres, 80 Rue Paradis, Marseilles,
advances money for the construction
Of cottages at the rate of four and
one-half per cent. AS savings banks
pay depositors two and three-fourth
ger cent, the margin is close.
these dealings are regulated by
the law of April IL, 1906. Loans
are limited to $500 francs ($1S33.5O)
In the city and to 7OOOfrancs ($1S5D
in the environs, At present seventy.
five cottages have been constructed in
Marseiles under this law, the occu.
pants becoming owners, with a clear
title, at the end OF twenty years
Building plans have to be submitted
to the architects of the society, and
Iuirements as to light, ventilation and
sanitary arrangements"
There are also at work on some.
what parallelel lines several French
building and loan associations. which
differ from American associations in
that they usually operate over more
Dr. less the whole of France, as do the
great French banks. The attempt is
made by the moving spirits in these
associations to expand their utility
beyond mere public service as money.
lending agencies.
While depositors in these building
associations are permitted to build
according to their own plans, they
are decidedly encouraged to adopt
standard designs, of which there are
many suited to all purses. 1t is really
surprising to discover what comforta-
BILE little houses car be erected in
this country for very small amount,
sometimes 5000 and $500. All houses
are built of practically imperishable
and fireproof materials, cheap frame
constructions never being employed.