Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-02-04
PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION OF LIQUORS.

OF reduction in the use of spirits
from one and one-half gallons to one
gallon per capita in five years. Natur-
ally, under such circumstances, one
looks for an increase in the use of the
milder stimulants, but, instead, we
find the use of wines has decreased
from about one-half to one quarter of
a gallon per capita, while the use of
beer has been stationary, whereas dur.
ing the five years, 1887 to 1892, it rose
from 11.23 gallons in 1887 to 1923
gallons in 1891, period of marked
prosperity. In 1896, 7l,263,OOO peo-
pie used less spirits than 5S,6SOOOO
people did in 1887. About 100000
gallons of spirits ars used annually in
the arts, manufactures and medicine,
so that deducting that quantity leaves
about 6O,OOO,OOO gallons for use as a
beverage. Bar-rooms show an aver
age of sixty drinks per gallon, return
ing about $3.50, thus making the ma
tion's whiskey bill in 1896, as bever-
age, $27O, ,OOO, 900. while in 1892 and
1898 it averaged 4OO,5OO,OOO. This
deceease accounts for big loss in
revenue, officially reported in 1896 at
nearly $14, 10000 less than in 1893.
Foreign spirits are in favor in fash
ionable circles, and yet the importa-
tions in 1896, while heavier than for
the four preceding years, were lighter
than in 1890 or 1891.
Beer disputes with coffee the claim
to be the national beverage. Twenty
years ago the per capita consumption
of beer was less than one-half of what
it is to-day, or six and one-half gal
Ions, against fifteen gallons in 1896.
During the prosperous years 1891 and
1895 the consumption reached its
maximum, rising in 1898 to 1908
gallons, since which date it has fallen
off about one gallon per capita, aver
aging for the three years ending with
1896 fifteen gallons per capita an
nually. Hard times and bicycles ex-
plain this decrease in the use of malt
liquors. On the basis of so cents per
gallon for domestic beer and 81 for
imported beer, as the cost to the con-
sumer, we have q total expense for
that item in 1896 of $541, $685. ,34S. 1t
Is very evident that Americans are
not given to a free use of wines. The
consumption of domestic wines in
1896 was less than one-half the guam.
tity used in 1883, leaving out of ques-
ton an increase in population of 12,-
583, 900 people. Less imported wines
are used than formerly. In 1883 the
importations were more than double
those In 1896, and over 100000 gal
Ions less than in 1893. The figures
ought to encourage the friends of tenn
perance, although they may be dis
couraging to the wine industry of the
United States. Assuming that do.
mestic wines cost the consumer 80
per gallon, the nations bill in 1896
for that item war $29,199,514. The
importatiOns of that year were valued
at the custom house (plus duties) at
$40, ,265, ,465. Allowing 100 per cent.
profit to distributors, the cost of for
eign wines for the year 1896 was $780,
$40, $50, which, added to the cost of
domestic wines, makes the nations
wine bill for 1896 $40, 9,73O,444.
Bringing the above items of the
cost of alcoholic beverages together,
we have the following as the drink bill
of the American people, so far as
alcoholic stimulants are concerned:
Beer (domestic), $53S ,662, 1857; beer
Gmported), $4,000, ,531; whiskey, (ex-
elusive of quantity used in arts), $780,
100000; wines (domestic) $29, ,199, ,514 |;
wines Gmported), $2O,5SO,93O; grand
total, 1861 .693, 1872; estimated cost in
1892 ON the same basis, 81 ,OO0, 1884, PIT !;
estimated cost in 1891 on the same
basis, 1884 ,S13,3l4. Is not the above
full of encouragement to advocates of
temperance? There is wonderful de-
crease in the use of ardent spirits and
wines and no gain in the use of beer.
A comparison of ten years record in
dicates that good times foster the use