Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-10-03
The New Liquor Law.
What 1t Should and Should Not Be. Valuable Contr
buttons the Discussion.
The Scand inavian Syste m.

this state by the legislature, every
method that promises to help in the
solution of the very difficult problem
which is to come before our lawmakers,
deserves the most careful attention. The
Messenger lays before its readers some
facts concerning the system which has
been satisfactorily tried in Sweden and
Norway.
1t is matter of history that the old
Norsemen were not famous for organic
ing total abstinence societies, and In the
veins of the Scandinavian people of to-
day runs the blood of the hard-fghting,
hard-drinking Vikings of far away
time. 1t is said that during the first half
of the nineteenth century practically
every farmer in Sweden had his still,
and conditions in Norway were little
better. The state of affairs was deplor-
able, the consumption of Intoxicating
liquors being the highest, per capita,
known among civilized nations.
Some of the leading citizens Of Gothen-
burg, Sweden, In 1865, suggested to the
municipal authorities that the sale of
liquor be given into the control of COM
pany composed of twenty highly re-
spected business firms and private indi-
viduals, the company engaging in the
business mot for the sake of profit, but
solely for the good of the working
classes" the shareholders refusing to de-
rive the slightest profit from the business,
beyond the ordinary rate of interest on
the capital invested. This proposition
was sanctioned by the proper authorities
and the company began its operations
October |, 1865. Other towns adopted
the system, until now the plan, developed
and improved, is in operation in nearly
the whole of the Scandinavian peninsula.
A sharp distinction is drawn between the
sale of spirituous liquors and of wine
and malt beverages.
The companies conducting the business
are allowed in Norway, a return of five
per cent on the capital invested, while
Sweden allows six per cent. All remain
ing profits go either to the municipal
treasures or to objects of public utility.
except 10 per cent, which is paid into
the local treasurer, in lieu of the excise
tax on consumption. now abolished.
Shareholders, as rule. are public
spirited citizens, and three-fOurths of the
shares of the companies In Norway are
owned in holdings of one. In Sweden
many shares are held by public and
philanthropic Institutions. The funda-
mental idea was the Inauguration of a
system from which the element of private
gain should be largely eliminated. The
restrictions were very carefully drawn.
For any breach of trust a license may be
withdrawn without any compensation.
The licensing periods are short, five years
in Norway and three years in Sweden.
In the small towns, however, one year
constitutes a term. A reduction of
license may be effected by popular vote,
at the end of any licensing period. In
Norway the appointment of bartenders
is subject to confirmation by the magis-
tracy and municipal council.
Sales are forbidden to persons under
the age of Is years. Retail shops in both
countries are closed during Sundays and
holidays. In Norway they are shut be-
tween | p. M. Saturday and a. N. Mon
day. AS a rule thew are open week days
from a. m. to 80 p. m. In some
towns they are closed for an hour and a
half in the middle of the day. to lessen
the temptation of wOrkingmen going to
and from the midday meal. The early
closing in the evening lessons the posi-
bilities of carousing. In the majority of
Norwegian towns no seats are allowed in
public houses. Sweden provides that
cooked food shall be kept for sale In
every bar trade place. In both countries
sale to intoxicated persons, or in such
quantities that intoXicatiOn is likely to
take place is Illegal, while debts contracted
for liquor are not recoverable.
A part of the profits of the Gothenburg
company are spent in the maintenance of
five reading, writing and club rooms.
This company has also established an in
termedlate agency for inducing working
men to break away from saloons. 1t has
opened four restaurants, where bOuntiful
portions of food are served at cost price
single glass of liquor is allowed at
meals. The running of these eating
houses entails ali annual loss of about
$1,000.
In Norway it is the custom to make
the lessee of a hotel. restaurant, or club
for the time being an employee of the
company. The Swedish practice is to
grant sub-llcenses to lessees, whose char,
acter has been approved by the licensing
authorities, allowing them to sell liquors
containing less than % per cent of alcohol
No gambling or immortality is allowed
in connection with drinking places, and
no lettering is allowed IN Norwegian
bars.
The profits Of these companies are dis
tributed in different ways in the two
countries of Norway and Sweden. Ir
Norway the appropriations are deter.
mined by a committee, in which the
shareholders and the company are equally
represented. SiXty-five per cent usually
goes to fund for old age pensions, anc
other forms of labor insurance. Twenty
per cent is used for the promotion OF
temperance. No part of the surplus
accruing in the municipal treasury car
be used to lessen the tax rate. Ii
Sweden the municipality usually receive:
seven-tenths of the profits, the genera
government twO-tenths. and the loca