BAZ Applauds New Policy on Multiple Home Ownership

The German government announced today a new policy addressed at relieving the severe housing shortages that have plagued Berlin in recent years. In its official announcement, a government spokesman said, "From now onwards, people living in Berlin will be restricted to renting only one living space (apartment, house, shed, etc), unless another apartment has been available for over ten (10) days, in which case they may rent this, as well."

The BAZ applauds this long overdue decision and hopes that it will be strictly and immediately enforced. There is no place for real estate hoarding or speculation when so many people are in need of even simple shelter. With winter rapidly approaching, we are gratified that this decision was not further delayed. An exemption was included for those who already own more than one dwelling (a mistake in our view), along with an appeal to reconsider whether or not multiple units were really needed. We won't hold our breath.

Like any modern City, Berlin has its privileged class, who in general approach life with an attitude of entitlement. "I've been living here for six months/one year/two years/since Christ was in diapers, so I am entitled to cut to the front of any line and have first choice at everything." Their "wants" become "needs". (As in I "need" more prims.) While the legitimate needs of the less fortunate get brushed aside with no more concern than swatting an annoying fly. This is the attitude that causes revolutions. This sensible policy will also prevent the practice of grabbing up housing units and reserving them for one's friends, creating "ghettos" of doppelgangers.

The BAZ is not often a fan of government policy. But in this case, we support it with enthusiasm.

Kollwitz at the Glitzern und Schicksal

The Galerie Glitzern und Schicksal, at the corner of Friedrichstrasse and Am Nussbaum, is a local gem that often seems to get lost in the shadow of the more well marketed Schloss Museum. So it is a bit of irony that the stirring exhibit of etchings and engravings from contemporary female artist Kathe Kollwitz may be a little obscured in the shadow of the Magritte exhibit that occupies the ground floor. While taking nothing away from the justifiably renowned Belgian surrealist, Kollwitz's dark vision of the war years and their immediate aftermath are powerful and compelling. Perhaps they are tucked away discreetly on the upper floor as a gift to those who climb the stairs.

For those of us who lived through those horrifying years, on whichever side of things, her work is simply impossible to turn away from, however much you may ache to do so. For those who saw The Great War only in newsreels and newspapers, it gives the lie to the increasingly popular notion that war can be noble and valorous. "The Sacrifice" is especially horrific, depicting a mother offering her infant child to the "great cause" of ruin and death.

The next time you are in the neighborhood, take time to stop in to the Galerie for a visit. And climb the stairs.

City Telephone System Opens to Businesses, Public

After a surprisingly brief testing period, Deutsche Post has announced that it will immediately make access to the city telephone system available to both businesses and residents. While service applications are open now, subscribers are cautioned that it may require several days wait for equipment installation and connection to the communication grid.

Two services are offered. A private line can be installed at any residence or business for a fee of 299RL, allowing the station owner to speak to any other telephone connected to the grid. An Answering Service intended for business users is also available. For a 349RL installation fee, Answering Service subscribers will not be able to use the phone for placing calls or normal telephone conversation. Instead, all callers will have their message transcribed and forwarded on to the business owner by Deutsche Post. Both services carry a 25RL monthly subscription fee and include an updated listing in the City Directory including telephone number.

Public use phones continue to be available for a charge of 1 RL per call at the Postamt at Alexanderplatz #3, at the Cafe Elektric and the public booth on the Unter den Linden.

Police Raid Unlicensed Distillery

Fischerstrasse #25, boarded closed after this morning's
Police raid on what is alleged to have been an illegal
distillery operation.
(BAZ Staff Photo)

In a scene more usual in Chicago, Berlin Police raided the site of what they allege to have been an illegal alcohol distilling operation early this morning, closing the site at Fischerstrassse #25 and making one arrest.

According to the arresting officer, Wachtmeister Pinden, a Herr Ritchie Rich "was arrested in connection with an illegal distillery in a house on Fischerstrasse". Pinder added that an investigation was ongoing and he could not comment further. But when asked if the alleged distillery was producing absinthe the officer responded that "We can't be entirely certain until we get the lab reports. More than that I can't say."

Requests to interview Herr Rich, who was in custody pending a bail hearing, were referred to Oberwachtmeister Danitz, who was not immediately available. Wachtmeister Pinder would not speculate when the prisoner might be made available for comment or when a bail hearing might occur. The name of Pierre Webb has come up as a "person of interest" in connection with the investigation, but so far there is nothing to tie Webb to the incident.

The scene of the alleged illegal distillery is directly below the city's most notorious brothel, providing ample evidence that one disreputable business attracts others.

Deutsche Post Publishes Directory

With the long anticipated arrival of modern telephone service to central Berlin, Deutesche Post has announced the publication of its first City Directory. The Berliner Adressbuch 1929 is a comprehensive listing of names, addresses and, ultimately, telephone numbers for all businesses and residents in the Berlin Mitte. The book is handsomely done, and gives a current directory Notecard.

The directory is available for purchase from Deutsche Post for 25 Reichslinden, and purchases are on a subscription basis. This means that subscribers will receive the latest updates at no charge.

J&C, the BAZ's publisher, still makes its Berlin Business Directory available for free at http://berlinprojectbusinesses.blogspot.com/ , but the Deutsche Post version is more up-to-date.