Washington sentinel., 1900-12-01

is remembered that shipments iol'
lowing our troops abroad and the
long hot spell of weather at home
last summer should ordinarily have
called for largely increased con-
sumption instead OF the decrease
that actually took place.
When in addition it is recalled
as we said in previous issues, that
brewers attempted to carry the
burden Of this heavy tax them
selves, instead OF saddling it on
their customers, as was done IN
other businesses, that they cheer
fully paid the increase in cost OF
every article that enters into the
manufacture OF beer and its hand
ling and assumed the loss them
selves instead again of adding it
to the cost OF their product, it may
be said that they failed to show
proper business qualities in so
doing--it cannot be said that they
were lacking in patriotism or were
slow in showing it.
BuoYed up by the hope and by
repeated promises in many quar-
ters that the coming session would
bring relief, at its threshold they
are confronted with a prospect not
Of relief but OF a continuance, in.
definitely, of their burden. While
other callings are asking and re-
ceIving reductions where the tax
charges are only the one-hun-
dredth part Of the selling price oil
the article, as in the case Of patent
medicines, the tax on beer, the
poor mans beverage, which rep.
resents forty-hundredths OF the
selling price, is retained. While
the plea is made that the commit
tee having this subject in charge
is said to be trying to give relief
to the largest number OF people,
they seem to overlook the fact that
repeal oil the tax on the articles
proposed by them will not affect
by any means the number ofpeople
who are consumers OF beer and
who will feel the effects OF a con-
tinuance Of its tax. II there is no
reduction, increase Of price must
follow, and increase OF price will
necessitate smaller quantities to
those who use beer-who, as we
have already said. are the working
people. With a double tax on
beer and heavy increase also on
tea, the lot of the workers, men
and women, is certainly not a
happy one.
The final meeting oil the commit
tee in whose hands is placed this
matter will be held this morning, |
and we earnestly hope that they
will weigh we'll the appeal OF the
Trustees OF the United States
Brewers Association, backed up
as it ought to be not by a mere
laying of facts and figures by the
President before them, but by his
hearty recommendation of the
brewers requests.
We know that in this case it is
not a question of every interest for
itself, but OF all interests against
beer. The income from the beer
tax is large one and Is relied on
by advocates Of various schemes
to furnish the means to further
their projects. This is unfair, it is
unjust, it is dishonest, aud we hope
the committee will see it in this
light. Brewers ev, have been and
are now willing to assume an
equitable proportion Of every legit-
innate expenditure Of Government
They should not be asked to do
more.
II the decision OF the committee
is unlavorable, the fight will be
carried to the House. Failing |
there, it will GO to the Senate.
Through every step the SENTINEL
will lend its aid and forespeaks the
assistance oil its friends in Con-
pFess.