The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-01-16
THAT ALCOHOL TARIFF.
A CASE WHERE THE DOCTORS DC
NOT DISAGREE.
Their Petition and Its Merit-IgnoreJ by
the Council-Expression ON the
Subject.


tabled at the Advisory Council meeting
last Thursday, it had not more than a
couple of friends in the hall. These
protested against such summary dis
posal of matter in which are two
entire professions and an entire business
circle were interested. The letter on
tariff on alcohol was signed by all the
physicians, surgeons, dentists and
druggists of the city. 1t had a reading.
Then consideration of it was indefi-
ntiely postponed. This was for the
stated reason that at the time of the
revision of the duty schedule there had
been ample opportunity for suggestion
from all quarters. On their part those
now moving say they did not have
sufficient opportunity to be heard when
the law was passed. The act increased
the duty on alcohol from 81 to $3.50 a
gallon. 1t is to take effect in March
next. Duty on alcohol coming into the
United States is from $1,90 to 81 a
gallon. That is about the duty in pro-
tective countries the world over. The
fact that such weighty and represen-
tative petition should be wholly ig-
nored is peculiar to say the least.
Individual opinion supplemental to the
expressions of the petition have been
secured from number interested.
DIR. John S. McGrew spoke very de-
cidedly. He characterized the action of
the lawmakers as outrageous and ridic-
ulous. "They tell U.S. said he, ito use
a patent compound. Now, that mixture
is not suitable for compromising prescrip-
tions. If they want more revenue from
that direction, why not increase the duty
on liquors. This action will greatly in
crease the cause of medicines"
ITO say that the new scale is excess
i've" said C. A. Peterson, sis putting it
mildly. The idea is simply preposterous
Alcohol is very essential in making
medicines. 1t is lniment, a vehicle, a
precipitant and the base of tinctures
TheInew levy is best described as pre-
posterous. A great hardship will be put
upon poor people who require medi-
cines."
DIR. Brodie-The petition gives my
views.
Dr. Howard, who has been ill lately,
had not been able to give the mater
much attention. He was certain the
petition recited facts that merited con-
sideration. Why it could not get at
tention in the council he could not UNI
derstand. Alcohol is used largely in
making medicines.
DIR. A. McWayne-The new law is un-
Just. They could easily have dealt with
incompetence or illicit manufacture of
liquor without making such an enor-
nous increase in the price of a COM
modify so useful and necessary as al
cohol. They could make an exception
1t would be all right to have fair tariff
on alcohol used by physicians. A simple
regulation would cover it. Our petition
received very shabby treatment.
Benson, Smith & Co., druggists, are
heavy importers of alcohol. They will
continue to supply their patrons, but
the retail price for medical alcohol
must of course be increased. The new
tariff will be far-reaching in its effect.
Charity prescriptions will became a
thing of the past. This firm manu-
features a cologne in which alcohol is
largely used. The industry will be
injured. if not obliterated.
DR.. N. b. Emerson felt that the ply
sicians had received treatment that
might be classed as extraordinary. They
presented respectful petition upon a
vital matter and it was promptly tabled.
All that was asked was fair treatment.
While alcohol might be used as liquor,
it had to be used as a medicine. The
entire community will be effected. He
could not conceive how the Govern
ment could hold to such course. 1t
| was the direct antithesis of legislating
to the end of the greatest good for the
greatest number.
DIR. ID. McLennan said he rested the
case on the petition. He wants to hear
some half. plausible reason for throwing
| the petition in the waste basket. Ii
looks rs if the Council said to the
physicians: "You cannot have hear
ing on this, even if you are interested in
it," If that was the case, he supposed
they would be forced to submit, but a
clamor to which the Council could not
turn deaf ear would be raised in time.
DIR. Atcherley spoke guardedly but
said he was with the petitioners. The
disposition of the letter surprised and
puzzled him.
DR.. Cooper said the physicians were
quite naturally indignant. A preposter
GUS tax had been placed upon an article
that simply had to be used to a consid
cradle extent in compromising prepare
tions. Then persons with a protest
could not be heard. DIR. Cooper sug.
gested a law which would keep handling
of alcohol closely restricted.
All who subscribed to the petition
with its long list of signatures will stanc
by it and work for it. With nearly al
it is disinterested work. They simpl,
wish to head off big increase in thu
cost of prescriptions. They also insis
that a petition such as they had submit
ted was entitled to respectful considera
tinn