This practice has been occasionally followed in China, but the remunera-lon has often been provincial bonds or something of distinctly limited value. In the present programme, however, not only have the peopl living along the streets been derived of their property without romuneration of any kind, but a new and distinctly ingenious' method hat been devised to accentuate the losses.
The method now being used involves two areas of property. The property facing on the street is physieally appropriated to. the extent necessary for the actual street area. Then, in back of this property, a line ts drawn which is called 3
"special benefit area." All property which falls within either of these areas' s then subject to an assess ment which is justified on the sup-Posed benefits of having a modern Street near their properties.
The general reaction to such a programme is one of considerable bitterness on the part of the population involved, and since the programme is likely to affect a major Part of the property owners in the city, the accumulated opposition may prove to be rather important. In Addition to these methods of a legal nature, the setual construction is causing further discontent, particu larly in the surrounding countryside where other Toads are being built Surface Sell Sequestered T had occasion to talk with some of the farmers near one of these roads which cut through his _rieh He when earth was needed for grading, the builders had stripped oft the top sell in some places as far back 300 yards from the road itself. As the farmer pointed out, most of this top soil Is brought in from the take vol tom or from the river, and the underlying clay is worthless for farming purposes. The general losses from this type of needless and careless appropriation have been import ant through these arcas where the new roads were built.
The whole problem is one which needs rather careful study. There no question that roads are needed and that they contribute much to he progress and improvement of the city. Yet, such progress might bbe rather dearly bought in the event that It means the impoverishment of large numbers of the property owning class. In impressing so firmly In the minds of the population the fact that improvement' means suffering and capital losses, the encouragement of civie-mindedness may be permanently sacrificed.
With schools reopening in Wuchang. the effects of a very good agricultural season are being felt. Registrations are high and in some schools the accommodations are being pressed to the limit. Central China "College is experiencing one of the Targest registrations in its history as
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.