Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1950-06-21

mostly conservative.
A conference between 10 and
the employers organization estab-
lished the broad framework of la
bor- arrangement relations calling
for negotiations in all disputes,
with the occasional help of a Gov
eminent mediator. Although no
laws govern wages, collective con-
tracts are now in operation for
about 1870 of all ndus trial
workers.
Without resorting to strikes and
demonstrations until all possibility
of Cancellation is exhausted, the
Swedish worker has managed to
achieve a standard of living which
would make any Communist agi-
tator sound plain silly. With the
average income in Sweden, the
worker can have a decent place to
live in and enough to eat. In the
low income group, it has been
established that as much as 300
of the salary goes for what is
called miscellaneous" which
means entertainment, books, and
other amenities of life.
III
Various public organizations
provide for cheap vacations in
camps and resorts, and reduced
travelling expenses. In most cities,
collectivism has improved the
home life of thousands through
cooperative kitchens, washing ma
chimes, and kindergartens.
When Ole decides he will marry
Enge, he applies for and gets a
Government loan of from 500 to
$500, with which to buy the first
pieces of furniture for their new
home. More than 10000 couples
have benefited from this new leg
islation. When Enge becomes an
eXpectant mother, she will pay the
hospital only one crown a day-20
cents in U. S. money-if the couple
can afford it,. If not, the city or
the state will pay. Later this year,
all hospitals will give free care
in all of Sweden.
Moreover, couples with small in
comes get a loan when their first
child is born, and in Stockholm one
out of every four women received
aid from the city after
F a m / les with three
under Is years of age,
when renting an apartment built
with city or state help. get a 5000
rent discount. With four children,
the discount is 409e, and so on, up
20 seven children.
In addition to this direct aid
rom the administration, the
Health Insurance Program, which
will make subscription compulsory
or everyone within the next two
'ears, will provide for three
ourths of the cost of medical
treatment and for daily compensa-
ions for the time spent out of
work.
I visited small hospital in the
stockholm suburbs where VD was
reated absolutely free, and where
rec consultations were given for
he prevention and cure of tuber-
ulosis. Insulin was being supplied
It cost or less for diabetes suffer-
rs.
/ heard of brand new hospital,
CRYING a community of about S.
100, where a new approach is be-
ng made to medical care: A max
mum of four patients to a room,
cooking done individually for each
DOM, to replace the vast anomy-
nous concoctions usually served in
heap or free hospitals. Some new
adgets have been tried which add
0 the perfection Tor horror of
ruly aseptic life: one does not
low ones nose in this new hos
ital, but uses a contraption called
he suction hose" which you pull
ut from the wall.
In striving to improve living
and reduce the financial
urden that goes with the raising
families. the Swedish Govern
lent may be indirectly trying to
Dive serious social problem. The
opulation of Sweden, already too
w. has sharply decreased in the
rst decades of the goth Century.