CHAPTER X 



BERLIN 



BERLIN, with an area of about twenty-five square 

 miles and ti population, in 1906, of 2,040,148 inhabi- 

 tants, is the third largest city in Europe. It is the 

 greatest manufacturing center on the continent. It is 

 the capital of Prussia and the headquarters of the 

 imperial government. There is no more enterprising 

 or progressive city anywhere. In respect to its methods 

 of municipal administration, Berlin is regarded by 

 many as a model city. 



The sanitary regeneration of Berlin dates from the 

 purchase of extensive territory in the environs, in 1861, 

 but it was not until the advent of the era of prosperity 

 which followed the wars of 1864-71 and the establish- 

 ment of Berlin as the national capital that the admirable 

 public works and institutions which now exist were 

 begun. 



Up to this period the city had not been notable for 

 sanitary enterprise. The sewage was discharged into 

 the little Spree, the water-supply was in the hands of 

 a private corporation, and the general government 

 controlled the streets. 



Following the transfer of street control to the munici- 

 pal authorities in 1873, there began a period of whole- 

 some development which has produced remarkable 

 results. Streets were widened and straightened. The 

 municipal gas works which had been acquired by the 



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