Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-09-01
Things You Want to Know :s$ Ss.S


The German democrat dreams Of an in
dustrlal democracy and therefore he looks
upon the business Of government from an
entirely different angle than do democrats
Of Britain or America who dream OF a
political democracy. This fundamental diff
ference must be kept in mind in consider
ing the relations between the rulers and the
ruled IN Germany. In other countries the
ruling class, whether aristocratlc or pluto
cratic, has been forced from time to time
to grant concessions to the demands Of the
democracy fr a more equitable dlstribu-
ton OF political power, In Germany the
ruling class has been forced to meet de-
mands from the people for more equitable
distribution of economic power by maxi
ing concessions to socialism, But as a
matter OF fact the German people although
they have been to a degree emancipated
from Industrial slavery, are politically sew
eral generations behind their American and
British cousins. This might be very sad
II II were not for the fact that great
many Germans seem to be content with
their advanced industrial condition and
therefore do not care anything about poll
tics.
Yet the fact remains that the German
never is for one moment left without a re-
-
strain and restrict his freedom OF action.
II is possible in England or the United
States to lives a long and busy life with
out ever coming into direct contact with
any of the coercive forces of ruling power.
one pays his taxes, direct and indirect, he
is served by the postoffice, and he does
his share Of talking politics. but unless he
becomes involved in crime or misde-
meaner, either as the wrongdoer or as the
victim, ne never will feel the direct re-
straint of the hand Of authority There
fore 1t happens that when a constable in
terferes with his freedom of action he is
quick to resent authority, and Is inclined
rather to complain Of the burden of the
law, forgetting the protection 1t affords
| him.
| The German attitude toward the govern
ment is entirely different. The German
expects to be ruled and controlled in every
detail OF his relations with the community
and he demands that his rulers exercise
similar paternal care over all his nelghbors
| Germans, as matter Of course, will re-
sent an injustice but they will not become
indignant merely because the authorities
compel them to give reasonable explana-
ton OF their actions. Therefore. as long as
the rulers stay within reasonable bounds
|
German will continue to serve the state
and obey his rulers without complaint.
The rulers of the people undertake to su.
pervise and control every act in which more
than one person is concerned. For in
stance, one cannot employ a servant with
out the aid of the police; one may not re
move his residence without consulting thu
authorities; one may not buy theater tickets
Z toaft nd nj
government; one may not take the cab HI
likes, but the one the policeman tells hin
to take; and so on. The paternalistic con
troll over such little things of everyday If
is carried onward and upward until in thu
larger functions OF industrial and com
mercial Germany the government is prac
tiealiy In control of every act
i To illustrate what Is meant by govern
ment in Germany one may take the or
binary domestic servant and consider he
relations with her mistress. A housewife
desiring to hire a servant goes to the mu
i nicipaI registry office, or employment bu
reau, where she files a formal application
for a cook. In due time the cook appears
and shows her official service book. Oh
the first page this book sets forth in tab
ular fashion the fact that the cooks nam'
is Anna Schmit that she halls from Rhein
back, that she was born on September
1887, that she is short, that her eyes arr
gray, that her nose and mouth are regular
that her hair is light blonde, and that sh'
entered upon her career as cook upoI
such a date, as is attested by the officia
A stamp ana seal of the police officer from
whom she obtained her first service book
In this book appears, filled in the form
provided, the name. occupation social rank
titles, If any, and residence Of each EN-
ployer for whom Anna schnit has worked
:, After the name of each employer lis sc
the capacity in which Anna served in tn
household, whether cook maid or nurse
the date Of her employment, the date of he
leaving the job, and, in the next column
written by the employer, the reason VIII
her service was terminated in that house
hold. In the next column is the officia
stamp, seal and signature of the polio
officer who certified to the CORRECTNESS
of that, commendatory or condemnation
character" Then follows the same thin
over again for every job the girl has had.
If the housewife finds from reading tn