New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-08
PROTEST AGAINST BEER TAX.
BREWERS MEET AND TAKE ACTION FOR
ITS REPEAL.
A COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO PRESENT THE
BREWERS VIEWS TO CONGREss-A FED
ERAI, STANDARD OF PURITY


ADVOCATED.
Ahout three hundred delegates from all over the
country gathered yesterday in Arion Hall. fifty-
ninth-st. and Park-ave.. at the specia' mee'"e .,
brewers held to protest against the continuance oil
the war tax of 81 barrel on beer Most OF the
large brewing concerns were represented. |. w
Bergner of Philadelphia. presided lie opened "e
proceedings by explaining the reason for the meet
ing and invited the delegates to suggest methous
70 he adopted 10 relieve the brewing Industry from
tho additional war tax. lie said that the tax was
mining the industry and quoted figures TO prove
Nis In four months Of 1897 he declared the tax
was paid upon I5.42s,is3 barrels, while in Ike
period of 1895 only 1887 40 barrels paid the IN
creased tax
H. B. Scharmann offered this resolution which
was adopted without debate;
Resolved, That this e neral meeting OF brewers
OF the United States heartily indorse the action OF
the United States Brewers Association in regard 70
the Brosius Pure Food and Drink bill; and that II
is the sense OF this meeting that this bill. which
provides for the establishment OF "A Federal stand
ard OF purity for all articles OF food and drink
deserves and ought to have the active support o.
every brewer.
Gaus Thomann OF this city. next read a long
statement prepared by the Board o. Trustees Of the
saw II. The statement declared that the tax would
diminish the production and decrease the consunp,
ton OF beer. and thus ROB the federa treasury o.
OF its most important sources o. revenue ~
no o. he
ferent delegations were invited 10 submit the name
OF the representative chosen 10 present their views
Each delegation submitted written report As TO
the erect me war TAX nad had III us section OF ,n
country. AL declared that the time had come for
the brewers TO make their power telt. ana thdt
unless some relief was afforded the larger well
the smaller breweries would be forced out OF
An adJournmen. was then taken for luncheon
ON the resumption OF business Charles ?: Dehler
Louisville Brewers Association. He said that the
present meeting would have been unnecessary 4
the course of the brewers IN kentucky AID OBJ
Congress that they would work fer the repeal o.
the tax. The statement presented by Mr. Dehle,
ad 9heT rhns Of h ie dbl
II b schrarn. OF the New-York and New-Jersey
Association said that unless the tax was repealc'
the brewer must conduct his business at loss OF
go out Of business. He contrasted the TAX or W.
on a barrel of beer. and said he felt confident II
the facts wsre fa 10 am
spoke at length. and quoted figures to show thai
After other speeches A G Kicks Of New-Orleans
moved that committee OF eleven be appointed &c
meeting for presentation TO Congress he accepted
an amendment from the St Louis delegation thst
state in the Union II Ecg;er Of d BG;g N 9o
dent appoint a committee in conformity with Mr.
Resolutions were adopted thanking the Arior
Society fot its courtesy and hospitality In enter
!
business Of the day was completed when Theodore
Oehne Of Chicago, caggh, the chairman's eye h
! We have talked and talked. ~. have We accom-
! plished anything" Half dozon men. including M
KOhle- and Leon Ernst. Of Chicago. spoke in likf
vein, and at the request Of President Bersher Mr
! Oehne formulated motion that committee he
| appointed with full power 10 take immediate meas
! ures TO secure a repeal of the war tax.
! Argument was growing warm when Leo Ebert. Of
! Ohio who was the platform with the officers
| secured the attention Of the meeting
| Keep cool ne said. keep cool With all the
talking Of to-day has any man added one iota e
the report prepared by your trustees ara sub
| mittod AT the opening of the meeting Do vou
want 70 march 20 Washington with Springhelc
rifles and demand the repea Of the war tax? D.
YOU exncct to achieve your ends like that? We
/ have done today all that can do. and believe
We may safely leave the rest to the officers who
for thirty years have successfully looked after thf
| interests Of the association" 80
Mr. Ebert's words had soothing effect and Mr.
| Oehne amended his motion 70 read that the com
/ nittee when appointed work In conjunction VIII
the trustees Of the association. The motion as Sc
amended adopted. and then. after listening 70
brief address from Congressman Richard bar
thold Of St Louis. the meeting adjourned.