ABATING NOISES IN GERMANY.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13753, 19 June 1913, Page 8

ABATING NOISES IN GERMANY.

The laws governing noises In Germany aro sevore. According to the German criminal code, "whoever in r!o fiance of law and order shall cause a disturbance of the peace or perpetrate j a public nuisance is punishable by a fine up to a hundred and fifty marks (35.70 dollars), or confinement." The taw, as interprottd by the courts, does , wot apply when a:i individual or a small group of persons i'< disturbed by noises. Jf>ut only when th<- public in gyiieral is disturbed. The i-rnn "public in general" is, however, r-onstrued to apply to ft, mimi-T of fami-ivi-s living in the same fcouso, or to pupils assembled in a public school; if they aro disturbed by a barking dog or cackling ' fowl, the Owner of the dog or fowl is liable under the law. The Berlin street ordinances prohibit the playing of music or the crying of wares by hucksters or newspaper vendors in the streets, unless permission is fir*! obtained from ■ the police officials, and prohibit the transportation of all articles, such as sheetiron, chains, or other metal objects, liable to make a noise, 'unless packed r.o as to be noiseless. Such prohibitions would seem to bo sufficiently w'vere. But the new ordinances now coming into force arc severer still. According to these, not only must police permission be obtained for playing music in the streets, but also in all cases when, played in*buildings, it can l>o heard in the streets; otherwise, "when music in played or sung in rooms which connect with streets, tho win-dows-and doors of tho rooms must be kopt tightly closed! No loud singing, whistling, or hurrahing, and no bellrmging (except the jingle of sleigh bolls).is now allowed in the streets. Moreover, the now ordinances forbid tho beating of beds, carpets or clothing )» open windows or on balconies oonnocted with tho streets.