Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1950-03-14
4 Swedish Center

4 Swedish Center
Now that Norway Center is very nearly reality the
question whether the Swedes in Seattle will get together
and launch similar project of their of current
interest New developments in regard to this proposed
project probable perhaps in not too distant future
The Scandinavian American has received word that
committee has been formed to make study and If pos
sble find approach toward the solution of 1.-The prob
lem" caused mainly by dsunity among the Swedes.
Last year proposed project the subject of heat
ed debates both in the Swedish Post and within the
formed to look into the matter The committee
comprised representatives of all Swedish organizations
in Seattle The controversy centered the question
whether all organizations should chip in and sponsor the
deal equal basis The dissenting view held
mainly by the Swedish Club, headed at the time by A. E.
Bergund who maintained that the Club planned go
ahead with its plan of erecting building of its
He said the other organizations would be welcome to
the building for meetings. ETC., rental basis.
With these two factions pitted against each other
staemae Proponents of the so-caed unificaton
project believed at the time that it would be financially
risky to go ahead with plans the proposed broad scale
without the support of the Swedish Club The committee
dissolved. Meanwhile the Swedish Club intensified it's
plans erect building of it's It also launched
drive to double its membership.
The Swedish Club undoubtedly needs a building,
but it will certainly encounter financial difficulties in
erecting it, the least because there would hardly be
any financial gain from dsposng of it's present structure
1t may appear that the Club could decide the outcome of
the unificaton project but psychoogcaly the Swedish
population at large numbering several thousand in Seat
tie is the most powerful and decisive factor to reckon
with We believe that the interests of this largely
gained majority group is just important that of
any particular group all organizations for that matter
Swedish Center project concerned This big
majority group has lot of friends and financial pulling
power For all practical financial might be
tended include the large Swedish population
outside of Seattle since the Center would be attraction
to all Swedes in the Northwest.
1t rather strange but nevertheless that ma jor
ity of the Swedish population this attached
particular Swedish Scandinavian organization
at least does not play active part any of them We
believe that this majority group is extremely interested
the Swedish Center idea. We believe that
Spouse will be very strong with the launching of project
based the unification principle There tremendous
difference between the appeal of project launched
by group and that backed by all organizations for
the good. This point stressed from Norwe
gian angle recently by Norwegian lodge leader who said
that without the backing of all interested organizations
smaller building would have been erected substitute
for Norway Center The idea just wouldn't SELL he said
Whatever conclusions the committee may reach
hope work out mutual agreement with the Swedish
Club If such agreement fails to materiaze the side
which earnestly believes it can count on majority
backing from the Swedish population at large should not
hesitate go ahead with its plans 1t will have proof of
this backing the ball gets rolling Several alternative
building plans could be outlined and the best suited
the outcome of the bond sale drive could be put
into effect Norway Center Inc did this and the response
good that could build according to the best alter
native the cheapest, which the original goal