The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-24
Brewers Preparing for Big
Reduction in Beer Very
Soon.
IT WILL REACH TO ALAMEDA.
A Blow at the Man Across the Bay
Who Undersells in San Fran.
cisco.

The interest in the cut-rate beer war is
undated, while most of the members OF
the Brewers Protective Association pre-
tend that the whole affair is but a tempest
in a teapot. However, the peaceful con-
dition of affairs that is put to the front for
appearance sake is of that kind which
shows plainly that the hand beneath the
cloak clasps the hilt of a knife. The cut
in the price of beer on the part OF several
breweries and the manifest purpose on the
part of the saloon-keepers who have re-
ceived the benefit of the lower rates have
produced determination on the part OF
| those who have stood by the associations
prices to whip the offenders back into line.
This means cheap beer, not only for the
retailer, but for the general public, for
while the fight lasts steam beer will be
almost as cheap as water. Those who
work the growler" on the back streets
will be particularly pleased, and 1t has
been stated that some are already increas-
ing the capacity of their cans in antlcipa-
ton OF the general break.
AS stated in THE CALL recently it is not
likely that the general break will be made
before the first Of the new year. At
recent meeting of the Brewers Protective
Association Mr.. Fredericks OF the jackson
Brewery gave notice that at the meeting
to be held on the 18th inst. he would adj
vocate reducing the price OF steam beer to
| 50 per barrel. He did so, but the con-
servative element seeing what the result
of this would probably be-the complete
smashup of the northumberland 1t
would be better to postpone taking drastic
measures until the matter could be more
thoroughly investigated. A committee
was appointed to look into the charges
which were made against the California
and Broadway breweries, and that COM
mittee is still at work. AS may be sup
posed the breweries accused OF breaking
the compact by cutting the rates denied
that they were guilty, and it is stated that
the California Brewery managers offered
to show their ledger to prove the truth OF
their denial.
"Of what use would it be to examine
their ledger?' suggested one of the dis
gruntled. "The ledger will show I'M
doubtedly the sale of SO many barrels of
beer at IS barrel. I'll wager that they
will not show their cashbook. They must
keep correct record somewhere OF the
money actually received and paid out,
and th at record would naturally be in the
cashbook.'
At the last meeting it was decided that
the investigating committee should not
| report until the first Friday in January.
The evident purpose of this was in order
to make as much at the present rates as
possible out of the holiday trade, which is
always large. To make the cut now
would necessitate an enormous output for
| week or SO at q great loss to all brewers.
| The loss entailed by beer war would be
heavy IN ordinary times. There was an
other hope expressed in the action of put
ting off the com mittee's report, and that
was that in the interim the offending
bo 10 70 nf Vol
| ways and come back into the fold without
the necessity of shedding innocent beer.
In discussing the cuts in prices yester-
day prominent brewer said:
The complaints are frequently made. In the
cases of the brewerles named am of the opin-
ion from what can learn that the cut is nearer
to $4 than SO so. We can't make steam beer
for less than 81 per barrel, and to sell for
smaller price means a loss TO the producers.
The accused pleaded not guilty, but there is
more than one way of making a cut. We are
Supposed to sell our beer at 50 SO per barrel,
and let the drivers spend four bits, which is the
same as getting 50 cash. 1t is very easy mat
ter for the drivers and the agents for brewery
to spend more than this amount of money, and
the effect is Just the same as though clear cut
was made in the prices. When there is an IN
Outstanding that the driver shall leave more
than 80 cents right along for six months it is
equivalent to six months contract at cut
rates,
Many of the drivers attend to all of the Gus
toners on commissioned course at the rates
slated-and they have been continually COM
planning that the drivers from other breweries
are cutting them out OF their customers by the
methods mentioned. While we are morally
certain that there are brewers who are violat-
ing the letter and spirit of the associations
agreement still it is difficult matter to prove.
The saloon keepers themselves stand in with
the cut-rate brewers and lie like pirates to
protect these brewers 1t is the same as IL is in
the Board of Supervisors. While the public is
satisfied that certain Supervisors guilty of
certain offenses it is very difficult matter to
prove, because the men who could tell are
themselves interested and profit in the job.
Another brewer was much amused by
the denial of the manager OF the Broadway
Brewery that it had sold beer at cut rates in
saloon on Third street, and at the denial
of Frank Woenne that he purchased from
the Broadway people at less than SIS per
barrel. He said:
In THE CALL of Sunday slight mistake was
made in saying that it was the California
Brewery beer that had been sold at cut rates
in Third street saloon. The comical feature
rush into print with a denial that it had been
selling cheap beer on Third street, when it was
pu blished by mistake that 1t was the Califor-
MIA. Now, between Market and the channel
streets there may be fifty beer saloons. The
funny part of it is that Mr.. Woenne, of all
these fifty odd saloon-keepers, should rush
into print with denial that he purchased the
Broadway's beer at cut rates. Neither the
brewer nor his customer had been accused, yet
they almost Tell over themselves getJng 10
THE CALL Office to register their denials of
guilt. 1t looks as though the coat fits both of
these men, and that they put it on without an
invitation.
Another circumstance has arisen that
will make a lively beer war almost inevi-
table. On Pacific street is a saloon-keeper
who is selling two glasses OF beer for 5
cents. The Brewers Protective Associa-
ton has been watching that man for some
time past with view of learning from
what brewery he got beer SO cheapiy as to
| warrant his liberality with his patrons.
For time suspicion was directed to Val
| lejo, where there are two breweries. The
one conducted by Minnahan d Plageman
is really acting as the agent for the Vie
| land Brewery, one OF the syndicate insti-
| tutions, in the steam beer line. This brew
cry would not dare to ship beer to San
! Francisco at cut rates. because if the fact
was discovered the proprietors would find
| themselves without their brewery, which
is said to be practically carried by the Vie
| land people.
| The association sent to both Vallejo
breweries. so as to appear impartial, brief
notice to the effect that if they came to
! San Francisco with cheap beer the associa-
49,, ,yo,,1d Aao1 Uo1Ja,o with = ,,,> l>,-