Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1900-01-23
LIQUOR SHIPMENTS.
Prohibiaionists Pleased and Liquor Dis
tillers and Brewers on the War
Path.

pressed by the prohibitionists over the
action taken by the express companies
in refusing after the 25th inst. to. re-
.ceive any G. O. d. shipments OF liquor
for delivery in this state. Before do-
ing so they considered the matter care
fully from a business standpoint with
the result that it would be 9. losing
proposition to longer defy the pro4aibi-
ton law in that manner. This con-
clusion was arrived at at a meeting
of the representatives of the various
companies held inst. Paul on the 10th
of January. g.S,s
1t is understood that the order is
more far-reaohing than at first sup
posed. including not only North Da-
kota, but all other states having a pro-
hibition law. Undoubtedly the fact
that there was to be a wholesale pros
ecution 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
fragrant violation of the law. the re-
suit would be endless and expensive
litigation. The first four cases
brought against agents in the state
were instigated by States ATTORNEY
John F. Selby of rraill county. These
cases were all to have been tried at the
February term of court in Hillsboro.
Now that the express companies have
agreed to refuse C. 0. D. liquor ship
ments all cases against them will be
dropped. #i'5# " @fsi, a.5'1 "st-
The Grand Forks Herald says: There
is considerable speculation as to what
action will be taken by the breweries
to defeat the effectiveness of the re-
cent orders issued. It is rlmored that
the officials are warm under the collar
from the fact that the brewing and dis
tilling companies took advantage of
c. O. D.. shipments to such an extent
that the express offices We're in many
instances little less than saloons or
cold storage, houses. 1t is understood
that the express companies will now
go fully as far as the law would war
rant and if anything would stretch il
a little. ..,.- -,
1t has been reported that the brew
ers would bring suit against the eX-
press companies to. compel them tc
handle liquor OH the same basis as
other merchandise. If this is done 6
gigantnc legal fight will result. which
in all probability it would take some
time to. settle. The brewing compan.
les profess to- believe that the express
companies have gone too far in ths
matter while the officials of the com.
pany believe their action in the mat,
ter Us perfectly legal.
The matter has never been tested il
the courts and the present turn OF
affairs makes it necessary for the
liquor dealers to- take the initiative il
bringing the matter before the courts
This will result advantageously to the
people of the state on whom the eX.
pense of prosecuting the agains1
the express companies would have fall.
en- had not the latter determined to- vol.
UNFAIRLY quit the business. Whatever
action will be taken by the liquor mer
will probably be started within a very
few days, as the 25th is not very fa1
distant. Z
AS long as liquor can be shipped tc
bona fde purchasers where there arr
no charges to collect, it might appear
to the casual observer that the traffic
would not be materially interfere6
with by the new order promulgated
by the express companies, but a little
investigation will show. that it viii
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
and if it We're necessary to order a
ease of beer or whisky several days
ahead, not one-tenth of the quantity
now consumed would be ordered
Under the system that is nov in vogue
if a man living in the small towns felt
like having a case of beer all that was
necessary was to go to the brewery's
agent, get an order for whatever
quantity he wished. present it to the
express agent, get his goods and go or
his way rejoicing. ~