BERLIN 



The council in German cities is a very important 

 body. Not only does it select the mayor, but it chooses 

 his technical associates. The council takes the inia- 

 tive in inaugurating public improvements, provides 

 the way to execute them, and is, in fact, the material, 

 visible embodiment of municipal authority. 



In Berlin there are 126 members of the council; 

 the members are elected one-third at a time for six- 

 year terms. The position of councillor is honorary 

 :md is held in high esteem by professional and business 

 men of the best intellectual capacity. The council is 

 divided into standing committees for the execution of 

 various duties. 



The executive head of a city department in Germany 

 is termed a magistrate and the collective body of magis- 

 trates, magistratsrath or stadtrath. From the burgo- 

 master, or mayor, down, all are the most capable 

 experts obtainable, whether in law, finance, education, 

 charity, street cleaning, water-supply or sewerage work. 

 In Berlin there are 34 members of this body, 17 of 

 whom receive salaries. The remainder contribute their 

 sendees free of charge. The salaried officers are civil 

 service appointees. The technical chiefs are appointed 

 for life or for long terms with the practical certainty 

 of reappointment if their conduct makes this possible. 

 The unpaid magistrates are men of means who are 

 not professional experts, but are willing to devote time 

 and skill in municipal affairs to the service of the city. 

 Their work is chiefly deliberative and advisory. 



The salaries paid to the technical heads of depart- 

 ments appear to American eyes small, but it must be 

 remembered that in Germany official positions are 

 highly prized for the honor which they are supposed to 



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