Municipal and Civic Publications Copies may be ordered of THE AMERICAN CITY, with the exception of Government publications and those indicated as free, which should be ordered direct from the offices publishing them The papers, with discussions, contained in this volume are "Garden Cities," by George E. Hooker, Civic Secretary, City Club, Chicago; "Co-operative Housing," by Arthur C. Comey, member Massachusetts Homestead Commission; "How to Get Cheap Houses," by G. Frank Beer, President, Toronto Housing Company; "The Problem of the Old House," by John R. Richards, Chief Housing Inspector, Cincinnati, Ohio; "Restricted Residence and Business Districts in German Cities," by Frank B. Williams, Chairman of City Planning Committee, City Club, New York; "Housing of Employees at Industrial Plants," by C. L. Close, Bureau of Safety, Relief, Sanitation and Welfare, United States Steel Corporation; "Transit and Housing," by Henry C. Wright, Chairman of Transit Committee, City Club, New York; "Public Health Administration and Housing," by Charles J. Hastings, M. D., Medical Health Officer, Toronto, Ont. GILL, WILSON L., LL. B., President of the A New Citizenship. 1914. 268 pp. Il- The successful working out of experiments in preparing boys and girls for citizenship through school republics, or the "laboratory method of moral and civic training," is here described. The obvious importance of beginning this practical training at an early age, before habits of citizenship have become fixed, forms the author's justification of his method and lends interest to this study of its application in schools of New York, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and other cities, in the Indian schools of the United States, and in Cuba. Typical objections and misconceptions are discussed, and a model school city charter, school state constitution and school federal republic are given. Particular value attaches to the book owing to the author's former connection as General Supervisor of Moral and Civic Training in Cuba for the United States War Department, and as Supervisor at Large of Indian Schools for the United States Department of the Interior. THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Legends and Poetry of the Forests. (Compiled by Frank Leland Tolman, Reference Librarian, New York State Library.) The Arbor Day Annual. Bulletin No. 564 of the University of the State of New York, April 1, 1914. 71 pp. I photograph. Free This collection does not deal directly with the planting, culture or protection of trees, but has for its object to instill among school children a love of trees which will lead to greater interest in planting and to a more intelligent and tender care of trees already planted. Besides old noems and legends there are selections from such modern authors as Tugenev, Alfred Noyes, Maurice Hewlett. Selma Lagerlöf. John Burroughs, Sidney Lanier, Walt Whitman, Bliss Carman, Henry Van Dyke and others. comprising material not thought to be generally available in school libraries throughout New York State. BUREAU OF MUNICIPAL RESEARCH, NEW YORK. A Report on the Police Pension Fund of the City of New York. (Submitted to the Aldermanic Committee on Police Investigation.) 1913. 212 pp. Free This No constructive suggestions are offered in this report, which is "descriptive and interpretative." Its value lies in the scientific conclusions reached which may serve as a basis for intelligent future consideration of the fund and of pension plans for employes in other branches of service. One main objection upon which the pension law as it stands to-day is condemned, is that in accordanace with its provisions excessive discretionary powers are placed in the hands of a frequently changing police administration. results in a lack of stability and of uniform treatment in administering the fund. The utter disregard of elementary business principles in such administration is regarded as astonishing, particular exception being taken to the fact that under present arrangements the handling of this important trust becomes a side issue and one by which a semi-judicial function is imposed upon persons interested in the results. Many handicaps to good administration are poited out, due to the unscientific and bungling nature of the statute. By way of warning, attention is called to the alarming significance to the city of the rapid increase of appropriations from the tax budget for the support of the fund, in contrast to the decreasing proportion of contributions of the force. An interesting section is that on the Relative Importance of Service Pension Provisions to Other Provisions, in which it is shown that service pensions constitute only 23 per cent of the total pension payments. One-third of the volume is devoted to an actuarial report, which represents expert work and is very illuminating. Contains, in addition to reports on the various charitable and philanthropic institutions of Cleveland, articles by Mayor Newton D. Baker and other prominent persons on vital social topics of the city, such as delinquency, housing reform, recreation, education, industry, and health activities. The photographs are especially interesting and appealing, and the subject matter, although primarily designed to call attention to the problems and activities of "The City of Good Will," has a broader application which will make it valuable to social workers in other communities as well. COOLEY, ROGER W., LL. M., Professor of Law, The object of this book, which is a recent addition to the Hornbook Series and a revision of Henry H. Ingersoll's Hornbook on the law of Public Corporations, is to present a treatise less comprehensive than the original volume. Five chapters of Judge Ingersoll's treatise, dealing with quasi-public or public service corporations, as railroads, electric companies, water and gas companies, etc., have been omitted, and the remainder of the volume rearranged and in some portions expanded. The treatise will serve as a valuable text-book. General principles are conveniently given in black-faced type, supplemented by explanatory text and foot-notes. BRUNNER, ARNOLD W., Architect, and Free How to retain the characteristic quaintness and charm of Albany, at the same time improving her public buildings, parks and park structures, bridges, monuments and their approaches, to the fullest extent of the possibilities and in accordance with practical requirements, is the problem here dealt with by two qualified experts. The volume, which is copiously and beautifully illustrated and written in readable style, is largely esthetic in scope. Much interesting information concerning the city of Albany is given, and the direct contrasting in numerous cases of photographs showing present conditions, with sketches of suggested improvements, makes the plans easily intelligible. From material gathered at first hand by the author in extensive travels throughout Europe and America. All the illustrations are from actual examples. As the title indicates, architectural features are treated, rather than the actual designing of gardens proper: for example, garden walls, paving, lakes, buildings, bird basins, bridges, fountains, stairways, spring houses, ornamental wells, and other features of the greatest interest to garden lovers and to owners wishing to improve their gardens themselves or with the aid of an architect. For the layman the book will serve as a suggestive, practical and thoroughly enjoyable guide. ADAMS, SAMUEL HOPKINS, Associate Fellow of the American Medical Association. The Health Master. 1913. 339 pp. $1.48 Following the Chinese plan, a physician is retained in the family of a certain business man to keep the family well instead of being called in for the purpose of treating disease. This Health Master shows much ingenuity in discovering actual conditions in the city, and particularly in enlisting three generations of the family in the health campaign. In the form of lively and interesting conversation he gives scientifically accurate information on a large variety of topics relating to personal and public health. PLAYGROUND AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION OF The Playground. April, 1914. 44 PP. This number of The Playground consists of thirtyeight eloquent photographs, most of them excellent in execution, under the heading "Where Shall They Play?" illustrating the need of year-round playgrounds for children of the congested city districts. "Jack and Jill" and their friends are shown in their crowded home, playing on dangerous streets, on railroad tracks, by the river's edge, on pestiferous dump heaps, following the drunken woman to the police station, or loafing on saloon corners-all for lack of better diversion. The lesson conveyed is that the young lovers of play will be saved from disaster only by the provision of legitimate and suitable places of recreation. HUBBARD, HENRY V., Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture, Harvard Uni- The Size and Distribution of Play- BEST, R. H., President of the Nelson Street Adult Early Morning School, and OGDEN, C. K., B. A., Editor of The Cambridge Magazine. The Problem of the Continuation School and Its Successful Solution in Germany. A Consecutive Policy. 1914. 80 pp. 18 photographs. 40 cents A description of the compulsory day trade continuation schools of Munich (and to some extent of other German cities) as an argument in favor of establishing similar schools throughout England. The data given form a convincing proof of the excellent results which may be attained. AYRES, LEONARD P., Ph. D. Some Conditions Affecting Problems of The result of a study conducted in coöperation with the superintendents of schools of some seventy-eight American city school systems, the object of which was to gather facts concerning the boys in these cities who had reached the limit of the compulsory attendance period and the fathers of these boys, in order to secure a more definite fact basis for thought and action in the field of industrial education. The data given include the school grades of the boys; per cent of boys and fathers living in cities of their birth; industrial and occupational distribution of the fathers. GERHARD, DR. WILLIAM PAUL, C. E., Consulting Sanitary Expert, New York. Recent Examples of Hospital Construction in Europe. A Description of the Hospital and Sanatorium Beelitz, Near Berlin-Careful Attention Given to Details-Effects of the Workingmen's Insurance Act in Germany. (Reprinted from The Modern Hospital, March, 1914, Vol. II, No. 3.) 1914. Quarto. 9 pp. Illustrated. 25 cents DEADERICK, WILLIAM H., M. D. The Health Survey. (Reprinted from the American Journal of Tropical Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Vol. I, No. 9, March, 1914, pp. 627-649.) 1914. 23 pp. Free AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE CONTROL OF CANCER. OF Dirt Sediment Testing-A Factor in Obtaining Clean Milk. By M. C. Schroeder, M. D. (Reprint Series, No. 15.) February, 1914. 19 pp. Illustrated. Free NEW YORK ASSOCIATION FOR IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF THE POOR, BUREAU PUBLIC HEALTH AND HYGIENE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE. Comfort Stations in New York City. A Social, Sanitary and Economic Survey. (Publication No. 80.) 1914. 39 pp. Free TENEMENT HOUSE COMMITTEE OF THE CHARITY ORGANIZATION SOCIETY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. Housing Reform in New York City. (Report of the Tenement House Committee of the Charity Organization Society of the City of New York, 1911, 1912, 1913.) January, 1914. 47 pp. Illustrated. Free CRAWFORD, ANDREW WRIGHT, ESQ., of the Philadelphia Bar. Certain Aspects of Municipal Financing DAYTON, OHIO, BUREAU OF MUNICIPAL RE- Over-Age and Progress in the Public Free WOLFE, ARCHIBALD J., Commercial Agent of the Department of Commerce. Commercial Organizations in Germany. (Special Agents' Series, No. 78, of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, United States Department of Commerce.) 1914. 170 pp. 20 cents BUPEAU OF STATE AND MUNICIPAL RESEARCH, BALTIMORE, MD. The Purchase of Coal by Institutions. (Report No. 10.) May 4, 1914. 66 pp. Free DAVIES, JOHN VIPOND, Mem. Inst. C. E., Mem. Am. Soc. C. E., Mem. Can. Soc. C. E. Provision for Future Rapid Transit: Subway, Elevated or Open Cut, and Their Influence on the City Plan. (Paper read before the National Conference on City Planning, Toronto, May 25-27, 1914.) 1914. 17 Pp. IO cents AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COM B Six Considerations Which Enter into the Fire Hazard* ROADLY speaking, there are six im portant considerations which enter into the "hazard" in fire insurance, and likewise into the science of fire prevention and protection, viz.: 1. Exposure to Fire from Without The architect may have little to do with this, as the site is generally chosen before he is called in. The exposure depends upon the width of streets or courts, the space between the new buildings and the neighboring buildings, and the nature of such neighboring buildings. This hazard may be reduced, however, if the building is planned without openings facing the danger, or if wired glass windows (1), shutters, doors (2) and skylights (11) facing such exposure furnish standard protection. Outside sprinklers (3) and fire hydrants (4) can also be provided to reduce the danger. II. Construction of the Building The hazard here is affected by the materials and workmanship entering into the construction, their thickness and strength. An approved building code is generally utilized by the underwriters in judging the adequacy of wall thicknesses and the strength of materials. Structural steel members are required to be thoroughly covered with fire-resistive materials, such as terra cotta, brick, concrete or other approved material of adequate thickness. The material and workmanship should also be such that, in case of fire, a powerful hose stream will not destroy From a pamphlet recently published jointly by the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and The New York Board of Fire Underwriters. the protection and expose the steel to the flame. The National Fire Protection Association at its annual convention in May, 1913, adopted regulations for a "Standard Fire Resistive Building of the Highest Type" (6). This standard is for a building that would resist a temperature of 2,000 Fahrenheit for four hours without material injury to its structural parts. Although impractical to erect all buildings as prescribed by this document, it is, nevertheless, an ideal that can be approached in any building at least in part. A suggested building ordinance especially intended for small towns and villages (5) was also adopted in 1913 and treats especially of protection for nonfireproof buildings. III. Plan of the Building The hazard here includes questions of height, area, the location of fire stops, facilities for the escape of the occupants and facilities for access for firemen. The height of a building seriously affects its insurance, because, beyond a certain height the fire departments cannot be depended upon, for the present at least, for effective work. It is evident also that the larger the area the greater the danger of fire getting beyond control. When the area of any floor exceeds 5,000 square feet, the insurance cost is generally higher. Fire stops are provided to decrease the area in large buildings. Fire stops are either brick or concrete fire walls, no less than 12 inches thick, to prevent the fire spreading in a horizontal direction. To prevent the fire spreading in a verti |