Schools and Charitable Institutions The duties of the department of schools and charitable institutions were defined in orders as follows: "This department will exercise a general supervision over all schools and charitable institutions in the occupied districts." Pursuant to the policy outlined by the commander-in-chief, American Expeditionary Forces, orders were issued directing that all buildings of schools and charitable institutions used as billets for troops would be vacated wherever it was possible to give the troops proper accommodations elsewhere. result, these buildings became available for their normal use, and beginning January 1, 1919, almost every school building in the territory occupied by American troops was open and available to the German educational authorities. A study of the official text of the "Law for the Elementary Schools of Prussia" was made, but no additional restrictions were imposed upon the German educational authorities. In addition a list of all charitable institutions in the territory occupied by United States troops was prepared, containing the following data: name of the institution, its character, location and the number of inmates. Supervision of schools and charitable institutions was exercised through the commissioners of education, or, in isolated cases, through the responsible director of the particular institution concerned. This plan gave satisfactory results and met in every way the requirements of the situation. It is believed that the policy pursued by the American Army of Occupation in the matter of education was, irrespective of the legal status of war, in accordance with the best traditions of the American people on this same subject. Public Works As soon as American troops had occupied their area an inspection was made of all public utilities, the principal highways, and the leading industrial plants. The importance of obtaining an uninterrupted service from the water works, electric light and power companies, gas works, street railways, plants for disposal of sewage, and street cleaning was discussed with German authorities. It was found that the machinery used in the various utilities was generally in need of overhauling but that there was no danger of breakdown. The existing conditions made possible a normal operation in all lines, except that there was grave concern over the shortage in the coal supply. Conferences were held with the German fuel administration, the InterAllied Railroad Commission and the mine operators. Shortly afterwards the labor unrest at the coal mines in Saarbrucken was steadied and as railway traffic became more nearly normal, a supply of coal sufficient for the immediate needs became available. It was, however, impossible to accumulate any large reserve stock, and the strikes in the Ruhr and Saar districts revived the possibility of a shortage in fuel. Measures were taken to protect the public works so far as fuel requirements were concerned. Roads The country highways and many city streets. were like the machinery in the public utilities—in need of overhauling. The immediate increase in traffic caused by the large number of American automobiles and trucks required such work to be started at once, and the first road construction work was done by American troop labor. A general scheme of road improvement, mostly resurfacing, was begun. This work was supervised by the engineer troops of the Third Army, but the labor was furnished by the German authorities. Recovery of French and Belgian Machinery In connection with the industrial reconstruction of France and Belgium, this office traced and located such stolen property as was in the hands of inhabitants of the territory occupied by United States troops. Very little agricultural machinery was distributed in this district, but there was a considerable quantity of metal working machinery and some equipment taken from glass factories and chemical works. A record was prepared of all stolen property and steps taken to secure it against deterioration or unauthorized removal. In some cases French and Belgian factory owners visited the area and they were assisted in identifying their property. Requisitions The principle of requisitioning supplies was exercised extensively throughout the area, but always under central control so that there was no abuse of the privilege. Requisitions were limited to the classes of supplies procurable on the supply tables of the American Army and properly approved receipts were given in all cases. Food and forage were not requisitioned. A board of appraisal was appointed and payments made for all property heretofore obtained by requisition on the inhabitants. According to the system used, requisitions were made on the local burgomasters, who as a rule placed the orders with appropriate dealers or stores. The whole transaction was little different from buying on a few months' credit. Investigation Department This department was not planned in advance, nor indeed was its usefulness foreseen at all. Like Topsy, it just growed. Throug an error at General Headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel William G. Schauffler, Medical Corps, was sent as attending surgeon to the civil affairs department. He was not needed as a surgeon, but fortunately he was a man who had travelled extensively in Europe, spoke German not only fluently, but like a German, and in addition he was a sympathetic man of great personality who inspired confidence in every one. He was first used as an interpreter in important interviews and soon was given nearly all investigations where German officials were concerned. Later he was assigned to make a study of various German governmental activities. This he did not only by collecting German text-books and laws, but by personal interviews with public officials. A study was made in this way of the following subjects: 1. Education. 2. Finances. 3. Food distribution, method of. 4. The government of the Rhine province. 5. The judiciary. 6. The police system. 7. Sanitation and health. A department of this kind becomes a necessity in any working military government. Keeping in Touch With the People No military government can be a success unless it keeps in touch with the sentiment in the occupied district. The sources of information are many and varied-intelligence reports from all headquarters, reports of censorship, and secret service agents, reports of interviews with inhabitants, newspapers not only of the occupied area but of adjoining states, reports of chambers of commerce and other business associations and even the sermons of priests and preachers. A recent graduate of Harvard Law School, Captain Allan Schauffler, Engineers, was charged with the duty of daily studying all these sources and digesting and editing the work. It was voluminous but important. He had his finger on the pulse of the community at all times. Daily reports of all important happenings were laid on the desk of the officer in charge of civil affairs. Rate of Exchange On entering Germany no rate of exchange was fixed by the Inter-Allied Economic Council. The American soldiers were paid in francs and these were exchanged at stores and banks at ratios varying from 100 francs equal 100 marks, to 100 francs equal 120 marks. This led to some confusion and complaints by soldiers against shop-keepers. December 13, the rate was fixed at 100 francs equal 142.85 marks. Officers and men were directed to change their money at banks. Shortly afterwards all traffic in money was stopped by the establishment of government exchange bureaus. The mark continued to decline in value. During March, 1919, the rate was 100 francs equal 200 marks. For the month of May it was 100 francs equal 222.22 marks. For the month of June the mark increased in value, 100 francs equalling 208 marks. These official rates of exchange were fixed by the Inter-Allied Economic Council of Paris. There was always some speculation in marks as the local banks paid more for francs than the official rate. The Attitude of the Germans The army began its march into Germany on Sunday, December 1st. It was a bright sunny morn |