Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1900-01-26
LIQUOR SHIPMENTS.
Prohibilionists Pleased and Liquor Dis
tillers and Brewers on the War
Path.

action taken by the express companies
in refusing after the 10Th inst. to re-
celve any G. O. ID. shipments of liquor
lor delivery in this state. Before do
ing so they considered the matter care
lully from a business standpoint with
the result that it would he a losing
proposition to longer defy the prohibi-
tion law in that manner. This con-
clllslon was arrived ut ut a meeting
or the representatives of the various
companies held in ST. Paul on the 10th
of January.
1T is understood that the order is
more f~nr-rcaching than at first sup
posed. including not only North Da-
kota, but all other states having Il pro-
hlhltlon law. Undoubtedly the fact
mat There was to be Il wholesale pros
ect'lon OF agents throughout this state.
carried considerable weight in arriving
at the conclusion they did. as it was
evident that if they persisted in the
fiaglant violation of the law. the re-
suit would he endless and expensive
litigation. The first four eases
brought against agents in the state
We're inStigatcd by States ATTORNEY
John Il. Selby of Iraill county. These
cases wer all to have been tried mt the
February term of our in Hillsboro.
NOW THAT the express companies have
agreed to efuSe G.. o. ID. liquor Shin
ments all cases against them will he
dropped.
The Grand Forks Herald says: There
Is considerable speculation as to what
action will be taken by the brcweries
TO defeat the effectiveness of the re-
cent orders issued. 1t is rumOrul that
me officials are warm under the collar
from the fact that the brewing and dis
tllllng companies took advantage of
Z. .. ID. shipments to such an extent
that the express offices were in MANY
instances little less than saloons or
old storage houses. 1t is understood
mat the express companies will now
go fully as far us the law would war;
rant and it anything would stretch it
a little.
1T has been reported that the brew
erS would bring suit against the en-
press companies to compel them to
handle liquor on the same basis rs
other merchandise. If this is done a
giGantnc legal fight will result. which
in I'LL probability it would take some
tim" to settle. The brewing compan-
les profess to believe that the express
companies have gone too far in the
matter while the officials of the COM
pany believe their action in the mat
ter is perfectly legal.
Thc matter has never been tested in
the courts and the present turn of
affairs makes it necessary for the
liquor dealers to- take the initiative in
hrin"in" the matter before the courts.
This will result alvantagcOuSly to the
people Of the state on whom the eX-
pcnse of prosecuting the cases against
the express companies would have fall
ell had not the latter determined to VOL
UNFAIRLY quit the business. Whatever
ac1ion will be taken by the liquor men
will probably be started within Il very.
few days. as the 2Ith is not very far
distant.
AS long as liquor raj he shipped TO
bona fide purchasers where there are
no charges to collect. it might appear
to the casual observer that The traffic
would no be materially %interfered
with by the new order promulgated
ny the express companies. but a little
investigation will show that it will
affect it Immensely. 1t is estimated
that less than 10 per cent of the liquor
sold in the state is ordered by the con-
sumner direct from the liquor dealer,
ana ii it We're necessary to order Il
case of beer ~ whisky several days
ahead. not One-tenth of the quantity
now consumed would be ordered.
Under the system that is now in vogue
If Il man living in the small towns felt
like having a case of hecr I'LL that was
necessary was to go to the brewcry'S
agent. get an order for whatever
quantity he wished. present it to the
express agent. get his goods and go on
his way rejoicing.