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THE EXCHANGE BUILDING

IN the year 1902, the Bremen Cotton Exchange opened the doors to its various tenants, and, as the outward ap* pearance of a man has an influence on the impression he makes upon us, so does the building which houses the cotton trade, play its part. Previous to that date, the business of the Exchange was carried on in rented rooms, but with expand- ing trade, these became inadequate, and a new building was contemplated,the idea was, to make the outward appearance worthy of the importance of Bremen's cotton trade, with due consideration to the local conditions. Bremen can boast of a thousand years history, and has many fine examples of ancient architecture,notably around the market place. There you find in the rieh ornate style of the renaissance, the "Rathaus" <town hall) and in another style, that however blendsharmoniously,isthe"Schütting"<theseatofthechamber of commerce), the "Dom" <cathedral), the "General Ex* change", as well as a number of private houses of a later date. The combined appearance of these various buildings, form an imposing picture. The site for the new exchange is situated in this very neighbourhood, consequently, a building had to be designed that fitted in with the whole scheme. Prominent architects competed, and the plans that gained the first price were aeeepted, and commissioned for

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