The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-12
THE BREWERY TRUST.
Albert story of It-Biggest
Concerns Not in Ii.

(OnCCInS NOt HI
The three largest brewing companies in
this country, the Anheuser-Busch OF st.
Louis. and the Pabst and schlitz companies.
of Milwaukee. deny any connection what
ever with the talked-of beer trust. In
speaking of the attempt to control all of the
breweries throughout the United States.
Albert Lieber. president and general man.
ager of the Indianapolis Brewing Company,
said yesterday that the subject was not one
| Of the topics discussed at the brewers con-
vention just closed at Detroit. but was a
matter of much comment among delegates.
THE scheme" said Mr.. Lieber, has been
under way for some time. and though but
few tangible results Of the work of the pro-
moters are in evidence, the plans have
so far progressed that the organizers believe
the matter will be carried to successful
issue, though 1t will require some three
years or more to bring the thing to a head.
The plan will be first to organize in dis
tricts, after which the organization of the
brewery interests of the different States will
be undertaken in a manner which will prac-
tically admit Of no defeat. When all Of the
State organizations are perfected the work
will be in such shape that all may be joined
and the brewery interests will then be
placed under one management. Much work
has already been done in the different
States, and the Pennsylvania combination,
with a capital of $92, 900. 600. is the first to
be completed. Others will follow quickly.
So far as Indiana is concerned. some work
has already been done, but the matter will
rest for about three months, when 4 will
again be taken up. 1t will take about $1,000
00 capital to float the Indiana end Of the
plan.
When asked in what manner he was con-
nected with the formation of the trust Mr..
Lieber declined to state his position, but
admitted that he was on the inside and
would be actively engaged in the state work.
Regarding the effect the combine would
have upon the brewery interests of Indianap-
oils and the State at large. Mr.. Lieber said.
1T will no doubt be for the best. The out
ably be increased. and some OF the smaller
plants will be closed down. Probably eight
or ten of the smaller ones will be closed. In
stead of numerous agencies handling differ
ent brands of beer, the business will be
handled in a more direct manner. The
changes contemplated will, 1 think. make
no difference in the number Of men en-
ployed, though a few of the men now en-
ployed as solicitors may be let out. AS
things are now. fully 20 per cent. of the
profits are eaten up in the effort to secure
business. The war tax. the brisk competi-
ton. and the large number of small con-
Germs which have sprung up in small towns
have made Ii necessary for each brewer, in
order TO secure business and dispose Of his
product, TO employ a large number Of sales
pioyed for the purpose of inducing consum-
ers 10 drink certain kinds of beer. The OBJ
ject of the combination, as in almost all
others which have been organized, is for the
purpose OF increasing profits by decreasing
expenses. rather than by increasing the
selling price of the product.
THE big corporation" continued Mr..
Lieber. is being promoted by Seymour
Scott. of New York. who has just completed
the organization Of the American Mailing
Company, which controls the entire malt
market. There are some ten or twelve pro-
noters interested in the work now. but 1
am not at present at liberty to disclose their
identity. The new syndicate will, however,
be distinctively American, and is in no way
connected with the British sy1dicates which
have for several years been securing OPP
tons on American breweries. Although the
underwriters were OF New York, nearly the
whole of the sse. 1000 900 capital was subscribed
for by Pennsylvania capitalists. Regarding
the options so much talked Of, most Of them
amount to nothing. being secured by persons
who pay nothing for them and are looking
for chances TO make money by sales after
the options have been secured. There are
now options of this kind on Indianapolis con-
Germs. though the owners deny the fact. and
there is now an option on the three brew
cries Of the local syndicate. but this has
nothing 10 do with the big combination"