Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-06-06
Impreona1,e Whisky Men.


WASHING ron, June 5.-Mr. Shufeldt, of Chi
cago, president of the National Distillers and
Liquor Dealers association, was examined by
the Window committee this morning and
testified that he had raised $4,000 from Ken
lucky distlllers for the purpose of securing
the passage of the bill to reduce the tax to
so cents per gallon. To accomplish this they
intended 10 employ counsel and send dele
gate to Washington to present the matter to
congress. As, however, the Republican eau.
Gus had decided there should be no reduction
this feature had been stricken from the orig.
inal bill, which now Includes extension OF
the bonded period.
Tn proposition does not so much interest
the northwestern dislillers as it does the KIN.
lucky distillers. The latter desire more, IS.
pecially taxation on the bonded tax, aud it
was with view of securing their co opera
ton, obtaining by subsequent measure re.
duc,ion of tax that the National association
called on him for this contribution of 81 900.
The fund is still intact aud subject to the
orders of Shufeldt to be used for the purpose
for which it was raised. In ad-
S Ss had ts this ra s@panf s ssSslat ssa
outside parties, $500 In Cincinnati, $1,000
In Lexington and 81 600 in Pennsylvania. OF
this amount about 81 500 has been used in de-
Tending their customers from prohibition
suits In Kansas and Ohio, and perhaps $500
Ia defraying the personal expenses of himself,
Shufeldt, and members of the executive COM
mittee IN Washington, leaving about 81 $40
still on hand. Not one dollar has been eX.
pended by the ASSOCIATION in Washington for
any other purpose than to defray legitimate
personal expenses of the officers of the asso.
citation.
Witness had never been approached by any
one with offers of assistance OR application for
employment.
Witness was asked why the northwestern
dislllers were indirectly interested in securing
q reduction of the tax, and replied, that being
largely interested in the export trade, the re-
duction to SO cents per gallon, which would
leave the tax on a gallon of proof
spirits at 81 cents, would enable them
to export and also to sell their alcohol spirits
for use at home in the arts and in the manu-
features, which cannot do now and compete
with foreign spirits, instancing varnishes
which can now be imported cheaper than
they can be made in this country owing to
the present high rate of tax.
Mr.. Iawley asked If a loss of so cents per
gallon would not more than Offset the ad.
vances derived from the export trade.
Witness replied it would not, as fifteen or
twenty gallons would be exported for every
gallon Imported from France.
I WltucbS was dSk6u why HIS dsSCCldblOH Ia
vored extension of the bonded period and re.
piled it would be absolutely necessary for their
salvation, as over production OF Kebturky
wh,skies would f,od the market in 1884.
Where 10000 00 or $780, 900 of gallons would
ordinarily be withdrawn by the dealers in the
Northwest, "a ,O00, GOO gallons would be un-
loaded upon their customers in 1854 if the
bonded period was not extended, SO that the
only event which could save the north western
disillers from disaster would be reduction
of the tax to Soc per gallon, which would
enable hem to export their product.
Another feature of the original bill stricken
out by the committee which witness thought
just and right was that under which vinegar
bitters manufacturers were prohibited from
distilling spirits to be used in the manufsc-
ture OF vinegar by the distlllers of the cOun-
try. Witness claimed they had always Coop
Grated with the government in securing the
faithful collection of taxes and often had dis
covered and reported leaks aud eyas Gus.
The examination of Shufeldt concluded the
Investigation, 30 far as the present list OF wit
ne,ses is concerned.
Col. Wharton, attorney for the Kentucky
dis tillers, stated that they bad been sum.
moued here at considerable loss and incon-
venience, and under the charges they deemed
it but Just to themselves to demand that the
person who made these charges should be
summoned before the committee while they
(the distllers) are here. NJ. Hawley asked If
he referred to Buell., of the Washington Critic,
and Wharton replied that he did. The chair
man announced that the committee would
coofer and announce the future programme
later in the day.