p. 13 | Temperance in Sweden

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Feb 25, 1904

Temperance in Sweden

THE working men of Sweden are forming strike unions to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquor. The duty on spirits has been raised by the government in order to raise more revenue. The laboring men assert that the tax falls too heavily on their class. The members of the labor unions are binding themselves not to touch spirits for a year, and are contributing sevenpence a month to a fund which will be divided among those who have kept the pledge. The temperance leaders are greatly elated, and hope that the proposed strike will spread throughout the nation.

The States railways of Sweden have adopted a most exemplary measure in the interests of temperance. During the winter they supply at several stations on the different lines warm milk free of charge to the enginemen and guards.

One year ago twenty railroad men of Sweden organized a total abstinence club. The membership now numbers thirteen hundred, and they have started district traveling libraries and courses of temperance study.

King Oscar, in response to petitions from his temperance subjects, has ordered that henceforth no champagne is to be used in the christening of battleships.—Selected.