Henderson daily dispatch., 1935-09-13

nonopolistic businesses such as public
Utilities is just as effective as govern
nent operation on a comparable
basis. On the other hand, Eelieve
hat, in a highly educated nation, if
1eenly competitive industries could be
operated by consumers it would be
a blessing to that nation. This is
more or less borne out by the expe-
riences of the Scandinavian coop
erative societies.
I doubt if readers have any idea of
the economic force behind these con-
sumner organizations or the tremen-
dous part which the co-operatives
play in European business: For in
stance, fifty per cent of British con-
sumers belong to "co-ops." The CO.
operative idea is one Of the impor-
tant aspects of Mussolinis plan. In
the Scandinavian countries, the CO.
operative movement has been develop
ed to a greater extent than anywhere
else. These societies are simply non
political organizations of consumers
for the purpose Of reducing prices to
the consumer, regardless of social or
political complications
These co-operatives compete with
private enterprises on equal terms in
regard to taxation and in all other
ways. The Cooperatives Union is not
simply a retailer but is a wholesaler
and manufacturer In Sweden alone,
it embraces nearly 300 local coop
eratives and a membership of over
half a million families. The Union
and it's affiliates control about ten
per cent of all the industrial actiVi-
ties in Sweden; control one-third 10
.one-half the wholesale and retail
trade in food, shoes, and clothing;
and operate about 300 efficient, at
tractive shops. Prices are slightly
lower than those in private stores and
a yearly dividend on all purchases is
rebated to the members.
In the past, Scandinavian trusts
monopolized certain industries and
kept prices atu nfair levels in rela-
ton to producing costs. Breaking up
these trusts and driving down retail
prices to a reasonable basis has been
the outstanding achievement of the
co-operatives. One notable example
was the combination of all the Scan
dinavian unions for the purpose of
manufacturing electric lamps. The
price Immediately fell from thirty
seven cents to twenty cents per bulb
and Luna still showed a profit at
the latter figure. After losing one or
two edcisive battles such as this,
Swedish industrialists caught the
spirit of them ovement. They have
since limited their high-profit-making
activities to the foreign market
which the co-operatiVes have not in
Vaded.
Boost Standard of Education.
The results of Sweden's experiment
with managed currency are so ques-
tionable that I will not attempt to
discuss them It should be noted,
however, that because Sweden has
had good luck with several of her
plans does not mean that they would
| work in this country. There are vast
differences in the characteristics of
the two nations such as size, homo
geneity. and wealth Of national re-
sources. Most important of all, is the
| educational differential. After all is
said and done, education per capita is
| far more important than wealth or
income per capita in judging the
safety of foreign investments. In this
connection, readers may not realize
that the Scandinavians are probably
the most highly educated people in
the world.
The type Of individual who holds
public office IN Scandinavia and Fin
land is far superior to many of our
government officials. The graf, crime,
and inefficiency which have been
charged against certain phases of the
management Of our public affairs
would be unthinkable in Sweden.
Predatory politician are not tolerat-
ed there. The experiences of most
government operated experiments in
this country are the exact reverse
of those in Sweden. The great mass
Of our people must be educated to
the level where they can appreciate
the difference between intelligent and
uninteIligent, efficient and inefficient
honest and dishonest direction of pub
lie affairs Only then can we con-