Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-31
One or the Other, or Both, May Be
Further Taxed.
BREWERS HOPE FOR A YEARS DELAY
Republicans Not Likely to Greatly
Disturb the Schedules.
B RE w E RS ACTI W.T. Y

The brewing interests are said to feel
somewhat relieved at the activity of the
republicans in the House toward putting
financial scheme in shape. That proposed
dollar a barrel additional on beer seems
not now to be so imminent. But the brew
ers were very much disturbed two weeks
ago. An increased beer tax at that time
assumed almost the aspect Of a certainty,
and the threat brought out many express
sions of dissent from the numerous or
ganizations of the trade. The question
seemed to be only one of time. Would this
Congress impose the tax? or would the
matter be left for the next Congress to
decide? The relief felt by the brewers.
therefore, relates to the additional time
they are likely to have in which to pre-
pare for the engagement. They are cx-
pecting an earnest agitation Of the matter,
but they believe that the passage of
bond bill or one authorizing the issuance
of excheQuer notes by this Congress will
postpone that agitation for at least year.
There is a very general opinion in con-
grcSsiCnal circles that sooner or later more
revenue must laid. and that malt spir
ituUus liquors, both, will have to bear
the great burden of 1t. The tariff sched-
ules. it Is argued, will rot be materially
changed. The republicans themselves are
disposed to let the schedules alone. An
additional tax on sugar would not be pop
ular. 1t is to liquors. then. that Congress,
1t Is thought, will not only be likely, but
obliged to turn in the extremity.
Beer Whisky.
There is much speculation as to which
Of the two articles, beer or whisky, would
win in such contest, providing it should
be decided that both need not be further
assessed. The brewers, it is pointed out.
are. as a rule. rich and influential. They
are likewise, as q rule, active politicians
This is explained by the statement that
they stand financial sponsors for thou
sands of retail dealers in their beverage,
whose houses during every political cam
paign are the resorts of political clubs and
almost headquarters for many candidates
Moreover, as the brewers contend. beer is
not properly classed with whisky. They
hold that 1t is a family drink, and that
its sale should be as little hindered as pos
sble.
They are opposed to any additional tax,
and will make a vigorous fight against the
proposition when 1t comes up in Congress.
Their influence Is chiefly in the west and
northwest, although the eastern brewers
are 50 enormously rich that they may be
expected to cut an important figure in the
fight.
The distillers also are rich and ~infiuen-
tial. Their holdings are always large.
Whenever their trade Is touched by Con-
gresS they show an immediate and most
active interest. They have not as rule.
however, entered vigorous protest against
increases in the tax on whisky. Their
chief concern has always been that IN such
legislation due care should be taken to pro-
tect the market against disastrous huctu-
ations growing out Of bringing whiskies
produced under different rates OF taxation
into competition with one another But on
the question of taxation pure and simple
the distillers stand to the government in
the relation merely Of agents for the col
lection Of the tax. They pay it for the con-
sumer whenever the goods are removed
from bond for consumption, and, Of course,
collect the tax for the government at that
time. The tax cuts 70 figure in their cal
culations about cost Of production or other
time in which to dispose of their goods,
and this also leaves them in an easy frame
Of mind as to the tax.
The MoOnshiners.
An argument used with some force in the
past about the rate of taxation on whisky
related to the encouragement that very
high figure seemed to give to the moon
sinners" the unlicensed distillers. Soon af-
ter the war the whisky tax was fixed at
80 per gallon. After few years 1T was
reduced to 81. The "moonshiners,' during
those two periods, fourished to a great de-
gree in the mountains of the two Virginias,
the two Caroliras, Tennessee, Georgia and
Kentucky. But it is held now that the
whole Of that production never really al
of stir about it, but this, it Is asserted,
grew out of the fact that the means adopt
ed to put an end to it afforded many
sensations for the newspapers. The raid
ing parties of the United states marshals
were obliged to engage the "moonshiners"
in running battle in the mountains, and
the popular impression grew to be that the
game must be Of great Importance to be
worth such a candle. But "moonshining,'
it is now declared, has dropped to the
diminutive proportions of petty larceny.
and those who advocate an additional tax
on whisky believe that fifty cents a gallon
more, which would bring the tax up to
$3.50, might be imposed without tnjuring
the legitimate or increasing the illegiti-
mate output of the article.
Many Of the politicians are nervous over
this prospect of trenching SO closely on
the temperance question on the eve of
presidential election, but most of them
consider that more revenue will mean eth
er an additional beer tax or an additional
whisky tax, with the probable effect of
bringing the brewers and the distillers ac-
lively before Congress.