The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-15
THE REVENUES FROM LIQUOR.
Mr.. Charles Iauer Cites Some Figures Giving
the Saloon Keepers Side Of the Case.

''See here" said Charles Lauer, the well known
saloon keeper, and, by the way, one of the few
who are strictly law-abiding, in your interview
the other day, did not get an opportunity to
give my views in full on the liquor license tax
question"
"Are you not in favor of the proposed increase
to $1O0l'
mo. The public are msled in this matter.
You make it appear that the traffic is expensive
to the city. State and United States govern
ments know that whisky, wine, beer, tobac-
GO and cigars make up the business. You put
your calculations upon a financial basis instead
of a regulation basis That will not do. What
do you suppose the traffic pays in Marion county,
1t takes money to run all three Of the govern
ments have named. Well this traffic supports
all three of them. Last year, and the same is
equally true this year, the traffic in Marion
county paid the United States government in
stamps bought, licences, etc.. as follows:
Schmidt's brewery, $50, 1888; Maus's brewery,
20G14; Liebers brewery, $25, 30l; brewers and
bottlers' license, $720; license for saloons and
drug-stores, ST., 500; cigar manufactures, stamps
etc.. $40, 600; license to retail dealers, So, $780,
manufacturers license, $780, dealers in leaf tobac-
co, $24; retail dealers in malt, 5000; Wholesale
liquor dealers license, So. 100; making a total
THE traffic pays in license to the State gov
eminent about $35, 900: to the city government
about $4,000. making a total to the three
governments of $219, 126. These figures show
much less than the actual amount received.
The traffic pays this as it now stands on its feet
in Marion county. You bear in mind that this
does not include the taxes paid by men engaged
in this trade which is assessed as other business
people are assessed. The figures above are spe-
cial to the trade
NOW, suppose this traffic is obliterated, and
this revenue must be raised would not the real
estate and other business interests in the county
have it to pay9 Would the governments take
this money from the people unless it
essaryE Can any taxpayer fail to see that If
this money is taken away his taxes will be in
creased at least 40 per cent? There is only paid
OH the total tax duplicate for the city for all
purposes about $475,0 900. This traffic handles
pays sanctifed and unsanctifed landlords out
rageous rents. Why, prominent banker hires
his house for a saloon to young man for $l6O
per month"; house which is not worth more
than $50 per month--and so it goes. Where is
the expense to the government?
Now don't put the $4s, extra city license on a
financial basis. The traffic is paying enough
High license cannot now be obtained. The Legis-
lature has gone home for two years, and it alone
has that power Many good men oppose high
license. They think they are too poor to pay
it, and that their vocation would be gone. They
are mistaken, for honest and capable poor men
will do better then than now. The reckless
and unqualified will not hazard the expense.
The increase Of $48 is in no sense high license.
1t will do no good towards regulating the traffic;
it is only to get few dollars for this or that it
is only, maybe. to build something.
II the trade is to be but "yal-
Ter" dog, to be whistled up at
the bidding of some meddlesome,
deceitful and INSCRIPTIONS politicians, because
they or he wants to build something, or do some
thing then the proposition of prohibition is rad
ically right and should prevail. have favored
high license, not for raising more revenue, but
with single idea that the traffic would better
regulate itself. think the press and the public
have been misled by so-called leading saloon
keepers on the merits Of the questions involved"