St. Paul daily globe., 1889-05-24
Such Is the Tenor Ola Cur
rent and Able Bodied
RumOp.
Crawford Livingstone Would
Buy a Brewery, If One
Were Offered.
Within a Few Days the Scheme
Will Have Assumed
Shape.

Shape.
An able-bodied rumor has been cur
rent for several days that a gigantic
scheme has been gradually developing,
which, if successful, will place the pro-
duction of foamIng lager in the control
of syndicate of Britons. Particulars
of the scheme are to the effect tnat
English and Eastern capital, projected
by a large syndicate, is about to buy up
all the large breweries of this city.
Prominent gentlemen of st. Paul have
been identified with the scheme, and
it is a current assertion among those
who claim to know something
about it that Crawford Livingston is
the Western representative OF some
thing or some one connected with the
syndicate. More definitely depOnent
saith not. Many plausible theories have
been advanced why Mr.. Livingston is
and should be interested in such an un-
dertaking, and if not for others, it is
suggested that he may be into negotia-
tions for himself. A person represent
dicate made an offer for the COnStanS
brewery, on Dayton's bluff, but was
fatty refused. Those who know of the
proposition made to Mr.. Constans say
that he refused to sell under any cir
cumstances, and there the deal ended.
An offer was also made for HaMm'S
plant and another for Bruggeman's,
and IN each case the owners have de-
clined to consider proposals to sell.
Who has been making the offers, and
whether they we're upon the authority
of English, Eastern, or any other capital.
the st. Paul brewers have failed to say,
and in some cases learn. 1t is never
theless a fact that such negotiations
have been going on the past week, and
the matter seems to have, for purpose,
been kept very quiet; and all parties
concerned, either directly or indirectly,
have been very reticent.
Mr.. Livingston was seen last evening,
and positively denied any and all con-
neetion with the matter. He said he
only knew what was in the wind, and
more than that he asserted he knew
nothing.
''What truth is there in the statement from
pretty reliable source that you are repre-
senting a syndicate, either American or Eng
been endeavOring to secure options on three
or four St. Paul breweries?''
Il assure you | know nothing about any
syndicate or its operations in st. Paul.
l do think, however, that there is such !l
At any rate, from my knowledge
of the intentions of such syndicate as you
speak of, know that the breweries in this
city are altogether too small in capacity. The
syndicates object would be. if any effort is
5o t> J,ir hpoxy nj
to secure institutions Of such proportions,
value and magnitude as would warrant the
stock being placed upon the Eastern and Eu-
ropean exchanges. This they could not do
with ST. Paul breweries-they are TOO small
"Do you know what syndicate has been
making these alleged offers for st. Paul brew
cries. and who its representative is, if you are
not as you Says'
mo. sir; do not. know no more than
you do about it. and l should judge not as
much.'
''Are you buying breweries for any body,
Mr.. Livingston?"
''Well, yes; 1 would purchase plant if I
can get it cheap enough"
''Then you represent some interest which
has delegated you to buy breWeries?'
"Oh. am open to buy brewery, yes"
'sIf one should ask you for whom you ar e
looking for breweries, would you shoot?"
''Oh, no; my clients are not that syndicate,
nor any other persons to whom you allude.
L
would consider any opportunity to buy which
offered ITSELF
'sYou positively deny all knowledge of or
connection with the syndicate referred to or
any other interest negotiating in st. Paul as
described, and you are not personally fur
thering any beer project'?''
THAT do. There is a slight boom in busi-
ness just now. and think st. Paul brewers
make mistake by refusing to sell at good
figures. A few months hence they can't give
them away"
From this it will appear very reason
able that the evasive tenor of the inter-
view means much more than can be def
nitely stated. A very suggestive conclu-
sion can be drawn therefrOm, and. "Of
COURSE" Mr.. Livingston must be counted
out.
From anather source it is learned that
the story can be credited as quite true.
Mr.. Hamm stated yesterday afternoon
that no breweries had been sold. but
suggested the idea that there might be
in the near future, and that an effort
had been made to buy the plants as
above stated. That negotiations are
pending is not to be doubted so much
as with and by whom. Leading men Of
the city, who are familiar with Mr.. Liv-
ingston's business traits. say that it is
very probable that that gentleman
is working in his usual quiet
but effective way, and that the
dawn of an English beer con-
troll will soon be upon us.
The theory has also been advanced
that the Eastern brewers who have
sold their plants to the powerful Eng
lish syndicates are coming westward
in search OF new and prospective fields,
and that parties are here who either
represent such persons or who are
shrewdly attempting to get options in
st. Paul and other Western plants in
the hope to sell them when the real
buyers come along. This theory is
somewhat exploded, however, when it
is compared with the existing facts and
circumstances under which the Eastern
brewers sold out. According TO the
terms of such sales, the syndicate has
paid about SO per cent in cash to the
seller. and issued the residue of the
purchase price in stock, binding him
nt IN