Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-03-09
NORWAY.

tions with but few parallels In the
history of Norway. The terrible fire
that swept Bergen few days after the
beginning of the new year was hardly
extinguished when news came that the
beautiful city of Molde was burning.
The public responded promptly and lib
orally to the appeal for assistance and
offers of help came in from all parts
of the world Help offered from Nor.
wegian sources alone was SO liberal
that 1t was not necessary to accept the
assistance rendered by foreign govern.
ments and institutions. For Bergen
the fire will in the long run be of
great benefit through the opportunity
thus obtained to improve the central
and most valuable part of the city.
The part that was burned was built
after 1701, when the same district was
ravaged by fires. The buildings were
small. cramped and built mostly OF
wood. The biggest street running
through this district was nothing more
than lane. Fortunately none of the
many buildings of historic interest or
valuable collections were touched by
the fire. The only building of special
interest that was destroyed was the
old drug store "Svanen"-the swan,
where Norway's famous violinst, Ole
Bull, was born and reared. Another
house from about the thirteenth cen.
fury also was burned, but had little
historic interest except for the crypt.
like cellars which remain intact. The
total loss caused by the fire is esti.
mated at $20,000,000. A great part
of the loss is covered by foreign
insurance. In Molde the conditions
are worse, as the fire hit the
district of the poorer class and
those being least able to stand the
loss: but as contributions are coming
steadily in, the worst of the suffer
ings are now alleviated. The king was
exceedingly active after the fire at
both places. He went to Bergen to In.
spect the conditions, and learn the
needs of the people and set good ex-
ample by giving $1,000 to the relief
fund. AS soon as he learned of the
ire in Molde he set out for that city.
There also the king showed the same
interest and gave an equal sum to the
alienation of suffering.
One shipping firm is paying 80 per
cent dividend and it increased its re-
serve fund with sum representing
more than 80 per cent of the capital,
and as the freights continue to rise the
earnings will continue as long as the
war lasts. Wild transactions in ship
ping shares have been subdued by the
banks refusals to loan money on new
company stocks, and normal condi-
tions are now ruling on the stock mar;
ket. AS consequence of this posi-.
ton taken by the banks there has
been a rather downward tendency In
the price of shipping stock. but as a
whole the legitimate market is strong,
with prices ranging from 200 to 300
per cent above ordinary values. II the
war should end sooner than calculated
by those specializing. there will be
some heavy losses to pay by those
holding these abnormally high-priced
stocks. but II the present market con.
ditions continue for year or more
the values will have been eQualized by
money flowing in from foreign sources.
This influx is now SO strong that ex.
change even on points like New York
and London Is below the normal. II
Is an experience quite new In Norway's
economic life and shows a strong mon
etary position without any parallel in
the history Of the country.
The Norwegian Women's Christian
association of London Is running a
home where Norwegian women may
stay and get their board. all for 1915
a week.
The value of the daily catch on the
fishing grounds along the coast of
Romsdal is from $4,000 to 500 900.
About 5000 men are engaged in the
work.
uOW OWLS lofty
waterfalls, having capacity of of $780,
600 horse power.
Eight years ago the old steamer
Stalheim was sold to Swede for sl6.-
900. After the beginning of the war
Norwegian bought it for $160,OO0
But this is not all. 1t has changed
owners several times during the last
few months, and the last price paid
was S371.250.
Stavanger had a real estate boom in
1915, the deals aggregating $1,24O,0OO
for the year. This is about twice the
average annual sales. Most Of the
deals involved small houses worth
from $4,000 tos4.000.