862 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
case when the lodgings are unsanitary. The poor must live, and that in places that are open to them. The hygiene of the working families is necessary : the future depends on it. For the normal development of family life, for the rear- ing of children without weaknesses, for the prevention of tuberculosis, the lodging-houses must be sanitary. Those who most need protection by health laws are not able, on account of scanty wage, to pay the rent necessary to secure the better houses.
A proper co-operation of those interested could overcome the difficulties, as follows : first, by recognizing their real duty toward the poor ; second, by the investment, on the part of public-spirited citizens, in well-located and scientifically constructed lodging-houses, of capital which will pay clear interest at the rate of 2^-3 per cent., instead of 4^/2-5 per cent. ; third, by the proper equipment of the tenement-houses. Some requirements are: (a) washable walls and ceilings, good painting, water-tight floors, and plenty of wash water ; (&) large windows for light and air; (c) plenty of water on all floors; (d) a cellar for provisions, wash-houses, and drying-rooms. L. Chaptal. "L'Hygiene du logement et les petits budgets ouvriers," Reforme sociale, November i, 1905.
The "Office central des ceuvres de bienfaisance," of France, has made an investigation of the home conditions of the indigent population of Paris. Out of 2,636 homes visited, 2,327, or 88.3 per cent., were classed as "bad ;" 245, or 9.3 per cent., as "mediocre ;" and only 64, or 2.4 per cent., as "good." After making a study of such conditions, the investigators came to the following conclusions : There are two sorts of causes : those inherent in the dwellings, and those found in the tenants. Among the former are small rooms with low ceilings, providing a volume of air less than 14 cubic meters per individual, humidity, darkness, insufficient supply of water, and improper disposition of refuse. Seventy-five per cent, of the lodgments violated these tenement require- ments. Unsanitary conditions furnished by the tenants are four : overpopula- tion, poor provisions for sleeping apartments, care of rooms, and drying of linen in the living-rooms. At least 75 per cent, of the places visited violated the requirements along this line.
The commission propose three ways to aid in the remedy : ( i ) more rigorous application of sanitary legislation; (2) cheaper rents and more modern lodging-houses ; and (3) popularization of elementary and fundamental laws of hygiene. G. Durangle, "Une enquete sur 1'insalubrite des logements d'indi- gents," Reforme sociale, October 16, 1905. D. E. T.
America and the Americans. Here are some impressions from late books dealing with above subject. M. Jules Huret, in his book In America, finds much to criticise, but also much to admire. He confesses to a sort of terror, inspired by the prodigious activity of Americans. Other traits are their incredible power of absorption and organization, their astonishing confidence in themselves, and the abundance of life among all classes, rich and poor. He has also very interesting chapters on American education, the negro problem, the great West, especially its cities, the common schools, hospitals, settlements, and the large r.nd well-organized charitable societies. He finds in New Orleans repre- sentatives of the old French families.
Frazer, an Englishman, in America, at Work, finds one of our chief causes of success in our remarkable organization of work. He saw not a single idle workingman in the course of all his travels. The young mechanics were seeking entrance into Carnegie's shops, even though entrance conditions were hard, for they knew that he pays his intelligent and ingenious workmen well, and if they could only distinguish themselves, their future ,would be secure. He was surprised at the wonderful development of machinery and the use of electricity, the great demand for technical education, the intelligence and apti- tude of American youth in mechanics, and the organization of transportation.
Abb6 Klein, in Au pays de la vie intense, was also impressed with the
