with the acquisition of territory across the seas, a strong navy has become more essential than a large army. At the present time our navy compares favorably in strength with the navies of other large nations. The national government has done a great deal for the protection of life and property by removing obstructions Life-saving to navigation along the coast, by improving on the coast harbors, as at New York and at the mouth of the Columbia River, by erecting lighthouses and 1 UNITED STATES LIFE SAVING STATION, LAKE MICHIGAN. establishing life-saving stations. Every year the lifesavers perform deeds of heroism by which scores of lives and thousands of dollars' worth of property are saved. The national government has constructed levees along some of our rivers, as on the lower courses of the Mississippi, for the protection of the land against floods. We may learn from this chapter that the protection of health, life, and property is placed almost wholly in the hands of the local governments; that the state govern state gov ment acts only when the welfare of the Protection chiefly in whole state demands it, or when the difficulties the hands of to be met are beyond the powers of the local local and authorities; and that the national government ernments acts for the nation at large, and interferes in local protection only when the interests of the whole nation are at stake, or when the local and state authorities prove themselves incapable of handling the situation. AN OHIO RIVER FLOOD SEEN FROM THE TOP OF THE LEVEE AT LAWRENCEBURG, IND. The city is now entirely protected by the great embankment. FOR INVESTIGATION 1. What were the means of fighting fires in your community in the early days? (Inquire of old residents.) How did the methods compare with those of Franklin's time? 2. Describe the organization of the fire department in your city. How is the highest degree of efficiency among the firemen secured? 3. Report on the waterworks system of your city. Is it efficient? If not, why? 4. Try to find out the chief causes of the fires in your community in the last year. 5. From the city ordinances find some of the regulations regarding the construction of buildings. 6. Is there building inspection in your community? Is violation of building ordinances common? 7. Report on the duties of the constable. Of the sheriff. 8. Describe the organization of the police department. What qualifications must a man have to receive appointment as a policeman in your community? 9. Look up the services of Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia in improving the fire department, the night watch, and the lighting of the streets (see Franklin's Autobiography). Io. What is the method of street lighting in your community? Is it done by the community itself, or by a private company? Is it as well done as it should be? II. What kinds of business in your community are regulated for the protection of life and property? 12. What other ways can you find in which property is protected besides those mentioned in this chapter? 13. Investigate the subject of the violation of speed regulations, and other regulations to secure safety on the streets of your city. 14. Have you an organization of militia in your community? Find out what you can about its organization. Try to find out something about the following points: a. What is the numerical strength of the militia in your state? b. How are its officers chosen? c. What is the relation between your state militia and the national army? d. What instances do you know of your state militia being called out to suppress disorder? 15. Find out what you can about the organization of the United States army. 16. Find out what you can about the organization of the United States navy. 17. Find out what you can about the work of the life-saving service of the United States. REFERENCES For information regarding the organization of branches of local government, such as the fire and police departments, the city charter and city ordinances may be consulted. In many cases there may be printed reports of the departments in question. It will often be impracticable to expect the whole class to gather full information on such matters; but one or two pupils may make special reports. Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography. Riis, Jacob, "Heroes Who Fight Fires," in Century Magazine, 33: 483. Hart, A. B., "Actual Government," pp. 462-477, for the organization of the army, the navy, and the militia; pp. 573-582 (fire protection, police, etc.). Fairlie, J. A., "Municipal Administration," chapter VIII, "Public Health and Safety." Wilcox, D. F., "The American City," chapter VI, ་་ Municipal Insurance." Conkling, City Government in the United States," chapters V, VI. Adams, W. H. S., "The Story of our Lighthouses and Light Ships." "History and Organization of the Life-saving Service"; a pamphlet that may be obtained from the Superintendent of the Life-Saving Service, Washington, D.C. The location of lighthouses and life-saving stations may be seen on the Land Office Map of the United States already referred to. CHAPTER XI THE RELATION BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE CITIZEN IN BUSINESS LIFE The busi ness life of a A LARGE part of the activity of the people of every community is due to their desire for wealth, and constitutes the business life of the community. It is well to remember that, when we speak of wealth in community this connection, we do not necessarily mean great riches, but all material goods, however much or little, for which men are willing to work. In many people the desire for wealth is very strong, and sometimes becomes a passion that smothers the other desires of life; then it tends to make men narrow and selfish, and to interfere with their greatest usefulness in the community. Wealth is worth having only when it contributes to the health, the knowledge, the beautiful surroundings -in a word, to the complete life of those who possess it. But whether the purpose be to attain completeness of life, or merely to satisfy greed, or perhaps to enjoy the excitement of the game of business, the business life of a community always occupies a large part of the attention of the people. The dependence of each citizen on the community is nowhere seen more clearly than in his business life; nowhere is his responsibility to the community greater; nowhere is there greater opportunity for good citizenship. How dependent the individual is on the community for |