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8 WINNETKA WEEKLY TALK, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1920. FINDS SWEDEN NEARLY BACK TO NORMAL LIFE Axel E. Nord Observes Remarkable Progress in Scandinavian Ccun- Prices on Downward Trend try; Four months of travel in England and the Scandinavian countries, and ] i be purchased for use in the homes only. Drunkenness is practically un- known. "Preservation of the forests is nrominent among the chief interes of the government. Mature trees on- ly may be cut and in each instance the tree taken away must be sup- planted by a hardy sapling. Sweden, for that reason, boasts a wealth of beautiful forests. "Yet with all these indications of progress and advancement there re- mains one feature of the.government association with tourists and Amer-| Which must undergo radical change | ican business men who have visited the Continental countries, has afford- ed Axel E. Nord, of Wilmette, a peculiarly clear insight into present day conditions on the other side or the Atlantic. : Mr. Nord, who is a member of the firm of Schultz and Nord, tailors at 1152 Central avenue, returned to Wil- mette on Monday, September 6, after a prolonged sojourn in Europe, spent in travel, and in visiting his parents in Sweden. Mrs. Nord and the chil- dren are remaining in Sweden for several months. The Nord family left Wilmette on May 13. They traveled in England for 10 days and then proceeded to the Scandinavian countries. Touching upon general conditions in Sweden Mr. Nord said in part: Living Conditions Gocd » "Living conditions in the Scandi- navian countries are exceptionally good. In Sweden, particularly, one finds conditions more nearly nomal then, perhaps, in any other European country, since the government has come under control of the socialist group (socialist in this sense implying merely the liberal element, bearing no resemblance to and having no affiliation with the so-called socialist or radical element in America). "Government ownership of public utilities has proved entirely success- ful in Sweden. Conditions of travel are excellent. Because of shortage of fuel the government has limited train schedules to only essential "runs", without seriously interfering with the convenience of the public. Oil and electricity are gradually tak- ing the place of coal as the motive power on the railways, thus insuring economy of operation. The telephone service throughout the country is ideal and the street railway systems in the larger towns and cities are an | example of efficiency. There is no overloading of cars, no strap-hang- ing. There is a seat for every passenger. Special cars are stationed at intervals along the right of way to accommodate extra heavy traffic. The fares are equivalent to three and one half cents in American money. "The housirig situation offers an acute problem in Sweden as well as elsewhere. Rents are very high be- cause of the serious curtailment of building operations during the war when labor was directed toward the exclusive manufacture of war ma- terials and ammunition. Newspapers in the larger cities contain many ad- vertisements offering large sums for transfer of house leases. Prospect- ive brides and groom are postponing marriage because of the serious shortage of living quarters. With the gradual return of normal business, manufacturing and commercial con- ditions, however, the remedy for the present situation is in sight and the people are patiently awaiting the early re-establishment of the old prosperity. Prices Going Down "Prices of food and other com-/ modities are on the decline and in many instances have fallen to the halfway mark from the summit at- tained during and shortly following the war. American coal may be ob- tained in plentiful quantities and at a comparatively reasonable figure. Clothing prices have not fallen apace with other commodities. A bumper crop is materially reducing the cost of foodstuffs. "There is very apparent prosper- ity throughout Sweden. There is a minimum of labor trouble and the wave of Bolshevism is most certain- ly on the wane. Thousands of students and working people who had become firm adherents of the Soviet doctrines have, within recent months, forsaken the new theories and re- Turried fo normal thinking and activ- ity. So-called Bolshevik clubs are gradually passing out of existence. The Swedish government has been very lenient with the radical element and, while maintaining a constant and scrutinizing surveillance, has refrain- ed discreetly from interfering with 'employment of arbitrary measures the liberal government has waged a successful battle against Bolshvism through enactment of sane, pro- gressive and just laws designed for the express benefit of the working classes. Working conditions are 'good and the workingman seems qui ontented. guns No Prohibition «Prohibition in unknown 1n Sweden, but regulation of the liquor trade, affecting the dealer on the one and the consumer on the other han ' has proved effective and patigdac; tory. Drinkers are registered an liquor is sold in prescribed whole- sale quantities only. There are 2 saloons. Cafes may sell only. light wines, punch and beer. Liquor may before Sweden may be counted among the really liberal countries of the world. The working classes of Sweden are overburdened with taxes while the more fortunate per- C. H. BRIGGS AUBURN SCRIPPS-BOOTH MAXWELL LOOK THEM OVER Evanston 140 1549 Sherman Ave., Evanston ALWAYS SOME GOOD USED CARS sons of means have, by reason of antiquated laws, largely escaped paying tribute into government cof- fers. There is a heavy tax on wages. Incomes are exempt. Taxes have been placed on war profits, but the persons with large incomes have as- sisted but little in providing funds to defray the expense of conducting the government. The people have promise, however, with the liberal administration in power, of early relief from the heavy tax burdens. Equitable taxation will soon be apace with the progress in other di- rections." ATTENTION EVERYBODY Look out for the Mollycoddle. Watch for it next week. --Adv. T27-1tc PAINTS Jf all kinds in large and small cans WALL PAPERS, PAINTING & DECORATING Floor Finishing a Specialty RASMUSSEN'S PAINT STORE turned from their vacation at Char- levoix, Mich. Rev. and Mrs. James Austin Rich- ards and children returned from Bridgton, Maine, on Thursday of this week. DON'T FAIL FOR THE MOLLYCODDLE. ING SOON. --Adv. bf SX SRR a TO WATCH Mrs. Frederick Dickinson and chil- | COM- dren, Dorothy and Leon, have re- T27-1te 27d ddd Ld dd ddd ddd Zrdzzrzzzzizzazizzzizzzaiiiaiiiai North Shore Electric Shop JOHN C. WELTER, Proprietor Electrical Contracting and Repairing | | | | Electric Washing Machines Electric Supplies and Appliances Electric Vacuum Cleaners Electric Ironing Machines 554 Railroad Ave., Winnetka Tel. Winnetka 44 LULL LLL ELLE LL dT a7 7 7 27 27 777777 7777 7 2 dd ld 2d dd ddd dd Ed ddd e, When It Is PRINTING You Need Telephone Wilmette 1920 THE LAKE SHORE PUBLISHING CO. 1222 CENTRAL AVE. WILMETTE