San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-12-10
THE GOTH NBURG
LAW.
IIIQUOR
The Result of Novel System Now
In Use In Norway.

The Result of a Novel System Now
In Use In Norway.
BellamY's New Nation.
In January, 1872, the first corpora
ton under the new liquor law as Nor
way was formed in Chistianssand.
The stockholders were among the
leading professional and educational
men of the town, which is second
largest in Norway having a popula-
ton of about 1900. The capital
stock was $4,000, of which 25 per
cent was paid up in cash; and it was
provided that any profit that might
be made should be accumulated I'M
til the stock was fully paid anu a
surplus fund of equal amount. Under
the law, stockholders are entitled to
q divident of per cent on the actual
money paid in by them and nothing
more. The corporation, SO formed, is
subject to the approval of the MUM.
cipaI and State authorities, and this
approval must be specifically renew
ed every five years. The direction of
the business is in the hands of three
trustees aud two revisors, elected by
the stock holders. Stock can be trans
ferred ouly upon the approval of the
trustees, Every stakeholder is OBJ.
liged to accept office, but he may de-
cline reelection for as long a period
as he has previously served. Annual
accounting is made by the
trustees, and certified DO the revis-
Ors.
Special stockholders meeting shall
be called upon the demand of ten
stock holders, stating the purpose for
which the meeting is required. All
earnings in excess of per cent on
the money actually paid in by the
stock holders must be turned over to
the municipality; and in the event of
winding up, the entire capital and
surplus except 80 much as was paid
in by the stockholders, also goes to
the municipality. The operations of
the company are under the control
of the state and municipal authorities
who may at any time call for the
books and accounts. The subtantial
features of the plan are part of the
law, and can not be divided from by
the corporation.
The accounts for the year, 1890
show total sales OF about $50, 900, con-
Quoted at an expense of $4,000, and
showing a net profit of $4,000. The
company began operations In 1872;
but dealers were EMIT ed to continue
until the expiration of their licenses
for which reason the business, OF the
company showed an increase of 40 per
cent from the first to the third year.
From 1874 to 1890 the account shows a
steady decrease in total quantity, sold
from 326, eS6 unit measures to 12l IFS.
The appropriations of the surplus of
the year are made by the general
stock holders meeting, with the appro-
val of the municipal Government.
They are made to great variety of
specific purposes: such as a public,
library, natural his tory collection
manual training school, orphans
asylum, public baths parks, tour
ists, association, a public information
society, workingmen's prevalent fund
there being twenty-nine different
De. Trial balance shows
Capital and surplus. $4,000; appro-
priated, So 500; undivided surplus:
$4,000.
The net earnings of the year are 60
per cent of the total capital aud eur
plus. The law provides, among other
things, that there shall pe one bust
ness place for the sale of liquors in
quantity; and such number as the
may approve, for re-
failing. The retail places are kept
open from to IL O'Clock, and from
two to O'clock. On Saturday and
public holidays they are closed at
) O'Clock. The doors must be kept
entirely open; no person may treat
another, or obtain more than one
drink, within two hours. No drink
can be sold to an intoxicated person
nor to any person who receives pub
lie relief, nor to any person under
age. AS no profit accrues to either
the stock holders or the help, there is
no inducement to violate the law, or
to favor the applicant. Hotels are
allowed to furnish liquors to their
guests by special permit. Separate
rooms are provided for liquors, and
for beer and wine.