The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-25

A vigorous protest against the inposi-
ton OF tax OF s. per barrel on beer has
been made to the states senators and rep
resentatives by the Seattle Brewing and
Mailing company. through its manager,
Mr.. Z. F. Sweeney. The company takes
the position that the additional tax of
81 per barrel on beer, when is part of
the war measure now before congress, Is
unjust to the brewing industry and out Of
proportion 10 the charges laid against the
other industries and notably wines and
tobacco.
Mr.. Sweeney recently wrote q strong
letter of protest against the proposed
measure, addressed TO Senators Wilson and
Turner. and Representatives Lewis and
Jones. He has received an asknow.edg-
ment OF the receipt of his letters and is
now watching with great interest the re-
port Of the daily proceedings OF congress
relative to raising war revenue
Mr.. Sweeney yesterday furnished the
Post-Intelligencer with a copy or his let
ter TO the senator's and representatives in
congress from this state. In this letter
he says:
I'VE certainly think 1t unjust 10 impose
an additional tax upon the brewing in
dustry from the fact that We nave borne
q very large tax heretofore IN COMPARE
son with other industries; for Instance
the tax has been removed from matches,
tobacco and other articles or large con-
sumption. Wines do not pay an internal
revenue tax, in fact. they are protected
by large import duties. We nave TO pay
large duties on our raw materials. Last
fall. when We laid In supply OF barley.
We paid the sum of go per ton delivered
In bulk for all tine grain We purchased,
and We cannot duplicate the quality and
amount of our purchase for less than $50
per ton. and 1t bids fair at the present
time to run additional $40 over TINS
amount.
while this may not be literally true OF
the Eastern states ii SO here on account
OF the drouth In California and the pros
pective failure of their crops.
"At the time when the original tax was
placed on beer during the late war, the
price was $12 per barrel. wnre today the
price is about one-ha!f that figure. Wages
and operating expenses have greatly in
creased in the meantime. the tax, how
ever. remaining the same.
I'm reference to the rebate, we would
state that in our packages there is a pres
sure or percentage OF carooi.c acid that
by reason OF frequent handling OF pack
sometimes bursting. etc. The retailers, in
stead Of handling package with care.
usually let il drop into cellar and a
claim is referred to for spoiled beer,
which. owing TO competition. we have TO
allow. You understand we cannot remove
stamps after they are paced on pack
ages and we therefore think that the re-
bate mentioned would cover a portion OF
the loss sustained in this way"
Formerly the brewers We're allowed n
rebate of IA cents on all stamps pur-
chased to cover the loss sustained in the
manner indicated by Mr.. Sweeney. This
rebate was cut off a year or more ago.
Mr.. Sweeney said yesterday:
I'VE hope to be able 10 secure reason
able rebate, say 20 per cent, X congress
decides TO tax beer s. per barrel. But we
are opposed 10 carrying an additional bur-
den even with the rebate, because we be-
lieve that the tax is unusually and I'M
fairly heavy against the brewing indus
try
The question here arises, who will pay
the tax II congress imposes IT. VIII the
schooners of the beer halls be iessened IN
size? IL is believed that the added tax
| OF 81 per barrel will not affect the con-
Gunner 70 any serious extent.
The National Brewers association has
issued letter calling upon all members
10 stamp on all bills made 10 their Gus
toners the statement that an additional
charge OF 81 per barrel Is made on account
OF the war revenue. IL the brewers do
not give their customers a c:scount on
their bills. the retailers viii bee forced TO
stand the tax and, of course, they may be
expected TO register an emphatic kick. "
IS possible tina. they VII. combine TO
force the brewers 10 stand at least a
portion OF the added tax of 81 per barrel
The National association hopes to see the
war tax SO unpopular among the retailers
that after the war Is over they Will or
ganize 10 effect its repeal.