Although  it  will  be  seen  from  these  figures  that  one  cannot
say  that  the  problem  of  unemployment  has  been  solved  in  Ger-
many, there  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  elaborate  organisation
of  the  State  Labour  Bureaux  has  done  much  to  minimise  the
evil.  In  addition  to  the  registration  of  the  unemployed,  there
is  in  common  with  the  Bureau  a  kitchen  (controlled  by  the
jN^ational  Insurance  Department)  for  providing  food  at  cheap
rates.  A  bath  oan  also  be  had  for  5  pfennig,  (^d.).  This
kitchen  is  supported  mainly  by  a  grant  of  59,000  mark  (£2,900)
per  year  from  the  Municipal  Authorities.  Another  factor  which
must  have  a  marked  influence  is  the  employment  of  discharged
militan''  officials  on  the  State  railways,  and,  as  an  additional
advantage,  the  railway  sei'vants  appear  much  smarter.  Then
there  are  the  contributory  systems  of  pensions  in  vogue  in  so
many  of  the  workshops.  We  were  able  to  visit  one  of  the  pension
colonies  of  Krupp's,  at  Essen,  which  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  best
in  the  country.  At  any  rate,  the  impression  we  received  was  a
very  favourable  one.  The  Colony  is  set  out  on  a  "  garden  city  "
plan.  The  pensioners  are  housed  in  well-constructed  houses,
built  in  various  designs.
One  of  the  men  informed' us  that  he  received  15s.  per  week
from  his  late  employers,  with  house,  coal,  and  ground  free.
He  had  worked  with  Messrs.  Krupp  twentj^-three  years,  and  had
contributed  6d.  per  week  during  that  time.  He  had  the  con-
tentment, too,  of  knowing  that  in  the  event  of  his  death  his  wife
w'ould  continue  to  occupy  a  house,  and  would  receive  half  his
pension.
