The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-04
Gothcnburg's Liquor Scheme.

A most interesting contribution to the
pcrplexing Liquor question is offered in
the December Forum by Mr.. JOHN GRAHAM
BROOKS. lately a lecturer on economies Mt
Harvard. and u careful student OF social
and economic questions both IN America
| and In Europe. Writing from Sweden. MIR.
BROOKS describes tho Gothenburg plan
OF dealing with tho liquor problem. tho
Swedish solution" as it has como to be
moro generally known since its wide ap-
plicntion outside the city which gavc it
birth. He tells its history and explains
its nature. and relates in detail the
results attained through its operation.
and also advances a few ideas as to how it
might be applied in this country.
Brandy and Socialism" is the title Of
Mr.. BRooKs's article. and this phrase. he
says. accurately expresses both the fact and
tho purpose of the Gothenburg system.
1t assumes that prohibition is 4 failure.
The majority Of people will have alcoholic
drink in some form. 1t does not try to
prohibit. but simply to regulate. to the ex-
tent that Is practical. Its idea is not to COM
bat the natural and reasonable desire for al
coho!. but the unnatural desire. tho artl-
fetal. stimulated demand. which is the oc-
casion OF most drunkenness and Of the
social evils accompanying it. 1t may bc
prcfnccd that SO practical Il man as Mr..
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN was several years ago
completely converted to the Gothenburg
plan: that DR.. JAYNE, Bishop of Ches-
ter. IN ardent advocate OF temperance.
is greatly in favor of it. and is urging
it's trial in England: that II ti! is actually
to DO introduced into Parliament for that
purpose. and that DIR. GOULD. who Is in
vestigating tho system for the Bureau OF
Labor at Washington. is quoted as unqual
ifedly convinced Of tho Immense benefit it
has wrought In Norway and Sweden.
The Gothenburg plan is the assumption
and absolute control of the liquor business.
by the community through a regularly
chartered company. oil tho profits being
turned to the colnmnnity's use. Brandy
has always been the national drink of
Sweden, and so common was 1t that DR..
BAEH Of Berlin. an authority on the stats-
ties Of drunkenness. says that Sweden is
" additionally given To drink as almost no
other people," Seventy years ago every
corn grower was Il distiller Two hundred
thousand people were making profits from
distillirg, and there was practically no re-
strictions on tho traffic. Heroic meas
urcs brought the number OF stills down to
10000 in 1880. and to 10000 in 1850. Later
legislation of 4 partly prohibitory charac-
ter resulted in the kind of failure we know
here as prohibition. and the reformers
began almost to despair. But in 1865
the conclusion was reached by num-
Der OF thoughtful men in Gothen-
burg. the second city OF Sweden in
importance. that las long as prl-
vate individuals or companies can make
profits from the sales. ways will be found
to spread the use OF spirits" On this con-
cIusion the Swedish solution" was formu-
lated and established.
A company was established by tho re-
formers to take over the public-house
licenses as they fell in. reserving tho right
to decide how many should be made use Of.
and in which parts Of tho town. The sur
plus profits were to be devoted to public
uses. but later reasonable interest was
guaranteed by the city on tho capital in
vested. and the whole net proceeds were
turned over to the community. Tho COM
pany began operations in 1865. and in its OK
istencc OF twcnty-scvnn years neither direo-
tor nor shareholder has received cent OF
profit. all the gains going into the pub
lie treasury. The system has spread
over Sweden and Norway. and in the latter
country. whore in 1875 there were but tf-
teen societies in existence. in 1889 there
were iifty-one. lnnumerable difficulties. OF
course. arose from time to time. Tho
notifications and variations in the de-
tails OF operntion have been multtudinous.
The chief principle. however. is to de-
privc individuals OF the strongest motive
for stimulating the sale OF spirits. that Of
personal gain.
Tho eating houses used to make SO
much higher profit on the sale of spirits
than upon food that worry poor food was
Kept or none at all. The new administra-
ton insisted upon the places keeping on
hand variety of wholesome foods, together
with tea. cocoa. chocolate. milk, and other
beverages. Profits were to be
made on these and not upon liquors. and il
became to the sellers interest to sell only
food and non-acoholic drinGs. Tho bar
tenders said the system made temper
ance cranks OF them in spite OF them
solves. Selling on credit and purchases
by pawn were stopped. The number
OF bars WAS materially reduced. Only
State tested liquor was per-
mitted to be sold. Late selling and sales
to minors were prohibited. In fact, while
the price of liquor remained the same, the
quality being often improved and practi-
rally no restrictions placed upon tho OBJ
tuning Of reasonable quantities. all motive
for the individual seller To push the sale
was removed rs he got nothing for hiu
labor but his pains. An English engineer.
Mr.. WILSON. who has resided In Norway
for twenty years. thus Describes the mani
fest results. and 1t should be noted taat