New-York tribune., 1900-01-29
TO PROVIDE FOR PURE BEER.
AoAIrE-FIGUREs SHOWING GROWTH
OF USE OF MALT LIQUORS. No

Albany. jan 2S-There is little discussion here
among politicians and in legislative circles
corning prospective pure beer legislation, and the
opinion seems to prevail that the members Of both
houses favorably inclined toward the
passage of such measure for the regulation of the
manufacture and sale Of fermented liquors than
they at the last session 1t will be remem-
bered that the Assembly Public Health Commit
tees pure beer bill OF last year gave to one of
the most animated debates Of that session. and
finally passed the House with four votes to spare.
This result In the nature OF a surprise, for It
generally believed that such an act could not
be put through either branch of the Legislature in
view of the character Of the opposition, and the
passage of the measure largely due to the per-
sistent efforts OF Assemblyman Jean L Burnett of
Ontario County, who as member OF the Public
Health Committee the acknowledged drafts
man Of the bill and its principal advocate the
floor. Assemblyman Burnett brought to the atten-
ton Of the legislators facts and figures with refer
ence to the manufacturing and consumption OF beer
in this State. In an interview to-day Assemblyman
Burnett said:
The proposition to regulate by statute the max
ing and distribution of fermented liquors in this
State will unquestionably be before the Legislature
the matter IS properly one for der iosaon aaa
6sb 6g Ia in ne SSs96f o Of the Nana % law
States with an enaetment %, Of this this kind Missouri
duction of fermented liquors with an invested CAPT
tai Of over 100000 is an industry second only in
to that Of breadstuffsM 49,
No less than S40OO.oOO barrels are annually con-
sumed in this country, each barrel containing
approximately 900 glasses. an average OF about
The amount expended for beer yearly has been
estimated at $SO4S $685. placing the cost to the
compares with fermented liquors. so far as the
amount consumed Is concerned except water. and
capita has diminished in the last twenty years
sumed has increased nearly seven times; that is
the the NAL malt II quSs haye @ driven out the distilled at
and supplanted It at the rate Of approximately
remarkable that practically supervision is exer-
cised by law over the brewing and sale OF fer
by the Government Of a demand for portion of
the profits Of its manufactpIe The beer industry
its 269 breweries contributing than ten mill
States Senate Committee on Manufactures has in
the last few months made a careful investigation
can't fact that the chairman Of the COMMITTEES,
Senator to m Mason Of Inn9is remarked recently at
committee shall find that substances Injurious to
bsslth bss4 are used in the manufaotuFe of American
While on this subject am reminded to say that
as to the outcome Of the pure beer agitation the
Legislature last last year The impression seems to be
was not approved by the Governor. 1t is fair to
stood by the public large. who certainly favor the
b pssed eef be hs PT90 @ Health
from the Senate Committee. but never came TO
6Rh (Which m bs s6e pure beer S6 sDV B
provided that no substitute for hops should be
far I as %en Il Passsd both houses Al but Tshd faled
executive approval for the that the pres
ent public health law covers the point. While I
have authority to quote Governor Roosevelt, !
am satisfied that he would indorse a practical
measure dealing with this subject, If it should
come to him.
A measure providing for pure beer win be INTRO
dueed this session and vigorously championed. II
makes difference who offers It long Il is
practically drawn. We shall urge the passage OF
suc bill because convinced that fits
actment would be material help to the farmers
of the State by increasing the demand for their
PRODUCTS while a law OF that nature would OF
course benefit the consumers OF beer a health
measure