Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-29
NOW IT'S TIT FOR TAT
The Brewers Association to Come
Back at the Prohibitionists.
THEY WILL BOYCOTT EVERYBODY
Who Boycotts Them--A Complete List to Be
Made Up and Presented.
REPORT OF A STAR CHAMBER MEETING

The Brewers and Agents Association, of
Allegheny county, held a meeting yester-
day afternoon, at their rooms, on Liberty
street, at which some very important busi-
ness came up. The meeting was held with
closed doors, but the following was learned
from the members by The DISPATCH re-
porter.
President Eberhardt called about dozen
members representing the association to
/ order at o'clock. Secretary Walther being
absent on account of sickness, Mr.. Ed Frau
enheim took his place, and after the routine
business was disposed Of, special topics were
taken up for discussion.
The first of these was the license question,
the conclusion being reached that the pres
ent course of the License Court was too Sc
we're. The main topic of the afternoon was
now brought before the society.
Mr.. StraEb, of the firm of Herman,
Straub & Co., raised the important question
whether liquor dealers should patronize
firms whose
MEMBERS WERE PRoHIBIrIoNIsTs,
in other words, whether such firms should be
boycotted. 1t was maintained that as such
firms did not patronize the liquor dealers, but
on the contrary worked for the destruction of
the liquor business, it would be only common
business policy to oppose such firms by pro-
ceeding on similar lines.
Although the expression of this view did not
cause great astonishment, for the reason that
Mr.. Straub said the association has been tend
ing toward such course from the day of its
organization up to date, yet there was some
violent and determined opposition raised. 1t
came from various members, who seemed to
fear that such course was entirely too precip-
itate and hasty. They advanced the view that
such policy could only be the cause of still
more violent opposition to the liquor trade, aud
would make enemies where none at present e&-
listed.
NO GLORY IN RUNNING AWAY.
Upon this the other side retorted that it
was better to fight courageously than to offer
tame submission, and that the liquor men
would receive just as much antagonism from
outside, no matter whether they fought back
or not. 1t was also pointed out at this juncture
that if all banded together now and made de-
term1ned enort to crush their opponents, the
possibility existed Of silencing them altogether,
there being very few firms who were willing to
being able to faunt their opposition to the
liquor dealers in the face of the world.
Thls discussion was continued in such style
Ior 1ully two hours, when the refractory mem
bers were brought around to the first expressed
view. 1t was now in order to take action on
the subject in hand, and immediate steps were
taken to materialize the advanced theory.
Upon motion, committee was appointed to
take charge of the matter. The committee
Will make thorough canvass of the county,
In order to make up list of all firms, persons
or parties who secretly or openly
ARE AGAINST THE LIQUOR DEALERS
and oppose them. This list or as much of it
as has been prepared, will be presented to the
Brewers Association at their next meeting, and
each member will receive copy of it, together
with notice in which he will be requested to
antagonize the firms specified therein on every
possible occasion and in every possible manner
1t is expected that the work will be accom-
plished in the course of a few weeks, in time to
make the plan effective for this campaign.
After this no further business was attended
to, as the General Campaign Committee for the
State is having secret conference this week
in Philadelphia. Until instructions are received
from this source nothing further will be DONE