Washington sentinel., 1901-03-23

relief TO Brewers
AS the time approaches to put
into effect the new rate on beer
and brewers are beginning to
figure on the effect il will have on
their business, they are confronted
with evidence that the measure OF
reliei doled out to them is far from
satisfactory. Nine million dollars
seems like large sum. but It is
found that on investigation, and
after a review oI the conditions to-
day. so changed in every respect
from what they were three years
ago when the higher rate was inn
posed, that IS cents reduction in
their tax will not begin to meet the
new situation.
Business is booming, but this
very boom in business has a most
demoralizng effect on the brewing
industry. Brewers find that the in
crease in price Of goods used in
their occupation exceeds in itself
the reduction allowed them. In
formation received at this office a
day or two ago, from our travel
ling representative in Philadelphia,
indicates that brewers materials
have advanced in price fully 40 per
cent. This is due to increased or
ders for every line OF goods, at
home and abroad, with the usual
result Of enhanced cost OF raw
material, labor and operating eX-
penses OF all kinds. The conces-
sion OF IS per cent in their war tax,
having in mind the small proper
ton this tax bears to the total cost
of production Of barrel oi beer,
goes but a short distance in cover
ing the 40 per cent increase COM
planned OF. This is not encouTag-
ing, and when 1t is remembered
that July Ist will undoubtedly see
demands for share in the distri-
button Of the g 1vernment's bounty
from other sources. brewers may
well ask themselves how or when
their calling is to participate in the
much heralded business revival.
Retailers who have paid, wholly
or in part, this tax, are counting
on receiving the benefits OF Con-
gressional favor, small as it was,
tor themselves. Rumors are even
current that a concerted move an
this direction is contemplated.
Labor is uneasy, as undoubtedly
il has a right to be. Living ex-
penses appreciablY reflect business
booms much quicker than in
creases oil wages respcnd to them.
From this unrest brewers will sui
ier-and uniustly so. The upward
tendency in prices is not a result OF
war tax reduction. II began with
the opening oil hostilities and has
steadily continued. The addi-
tional expenditures it entailed, in
addition to the tax itself, were
borne by the brewing industry
without a resort to reduced wages,
practically raise in prices. On
it's shoulders fell the burden Of
sustaining rising market on de-
creased sales and a doubled tax.
Action that contemplstes a de-
mand on the pittance Of IS cents
per barrel less granted to beer ex-
hibitsa Misunderstanding of actual
conditions, lack OF appreciation oI
fair dealing and disregard Of the
consideration shown by brewers
for their customers and employ es
that hardly admits oil belief.
The spectre is there, however
and il behooves those interested tc
move in their own defense. Oppo
sition, under present circum
stances, will not avail. The eVi
is with Congress, and hat body
should be made to face the respon
sibility and remove the causes tha
threaten a disturbance in business
circles as deplorable as it woulC
be unwise and uncalled Tor. Tht
error lies in the attempt to MAKE
one industry assume share OF tn,
Governments liabilities beyond It
power to bear. Experience ha
shown that beer canDot pay a Ia,
OF SI.85 at any time. kxperiene
bitter when too late, it will b
found TO be--will again show ths
in the extraordinary crisis throug