Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1907-12-14
NORWAY.
Chrts1ianR.

The Norwegian Storth1ng has set Oh
foot an experiment in legislation, de-
signed to solve the tramp problem.
While it is probable that Norway IS
less troubled by able-bodied tramps,
beggars and other varieties of incom-
petents and dependents than most
countries, since even the poorest of her
many poor folk have the fine pride that
makes for self-help, still the problem
is there as it is everywhere. The new
law is aimed at the able-bodied man
who won't work-an abomination moi
to be tolerated among an Industrious
aad thrifty people. Such man is TAX.
en- in hand by the police, who warn
him Of the danger of long imprison
ment that threatens him, and who mott
fy him where to apply for employ
ment. This direct official action is de-
signed to prevent him and his family
from becoming a charge Of the com
| munity. 1t involves providing him
with work, but there is always plenty
of work to be done in Norway-too
much, one would think, for the scanty
population, thinned out by emigration.
A card Is given to the enforced ap
plicant for work, and if for any rea-
SON. work is not Immediately availa
Bile, the date Of his enforced return to
the labor bureau is Endorsed ON it. #
he refuses to apply for work, or to do
the tasks assigned, or leaves them
| without reason, or is discharged for in
competency, he may be sent to the
workhouse for eighteen months, or, if
it is a second offense, for three years.
In this institution he faces work, hun
ger or punishment. A roaming tramp
is liable to similar Imprisonment for
from three to six years. He is forced
to establish a fixed residence, the po-
lice aiding him when necessary, and
some option is left to the authorities
as to whether they will return him to
his legal home or send him to the work
house. A fund is provided from which
homes for the very poor may be Sc
cured. There is thus no passing Of
tramp from one community to another
as is the practice here. The work
house or fixed home and regular EN-
p1Uy lLiC tAll.t I'I
these nomads of civilization. The law
seems drastic, but not too much so. At
any rate, the Norwegian experiment
will be watched with interest wherever
| the tramp is a problem pressing for
solution.
The question of liquor prohibition
has lately come into prominence in
Norway Secretary of Agriculture
Aarestad, who Is temperance lead
er. having declared that Immediate
prohibition is the aim Of the anti-liquof
element. The strongest opponents Of
this policy are the merchants OF
Chris tiania, who point to the alleged
failure of prohibition in many Amer
lean states. and also to the laWbreak
ing here, which they claim is the re,
suit of limiting the ''samlag system"
whereby communities monopoliZe the
sale of LIQUOR. Many towns are voting
upon the question of disseminating the
"samlag system" the result thus far
being ten in favor of discontinuanca
and six against such action. III the
towns where the samlag has been
voted down no liquor whatever is sold.
The ''samlag system in Norway IS
similar to the "Gothenburg system" IN
Sweden By law passed in 1871 the
local boards in the towns were allowed
to make over their control of the retail
liquor trade to philanthropic bodies.
called samlags which instead of seek
ing to increase the sale of liquor, made
it their aim to supervise and restrict
the drinking Of spirits, the profits be
ing devoted to object Of public utility.
Banker Ernest Thiel, OF Stockholm.
has subscribed $1,000 crowns to the
Vigeland fountain. He has been
placed on the eritliron by the Swedish
papers for sending money across the
border.
The dedication of the Melhaven
monument. which should have taken
place Dec. {, has been postponed until
next spring.