Evening journal., 1901-12-02
LIQUOR MhN
HAVE COMBINED
Will Ask Congress to Re-
duCe the War Tax on
Beverages

At the session of Congress
which convenes today, it is prob
able that there will be an animated
discussion regarding the war tax
which is now levied upon spirituous
liquors by the United States Govern
ment
In the country are four organizations
of dealers in malt and dspirituous liquors
which have a powerful influence, espe-
cially at election times These organi-
cations are the National Retail Liquor
Dealers Association, the National
Wholesale Liquor Dealers Association
the National Distillers' Association
and the National Brewers Association.
Heretofore these organizations have
not been in harmony upon all subjects
which are believed to be for the best
interests Of the trade Today, how
ever, they are a unit upon one point.
/ the reduction of the war tax upon both
beer and whiskey and a nadonal Ex-
lecwtiye Committee composed of mem
bers of each organization, has been ap-
pointed to urge Congress, at it's next
session. to take off a portion of the
tax that is now levied upon liquors.
WILL ABATE "MooNsHlNlNo"
AT present the tax on whiskey is S1.10
per gallon beyond Une actual cost OF
ldistilling, and which must be paid by
lretailers and wholesalers alike before
it can be taken out of the bonded
warehouses. This, liquor dealers claim
! is too high, as it not only leads to the
manufacture of am inferior quality ol
goods, but it also encourages moon
lshining." They say that if the tax
was reduced to seventy cents per gal
| Ion, the temptation to distiil whiskey
Iillicitly would be reduced greatly, and
that consumers would receive a better
IquaLity of goods for the same money
This point Will be urged by the com
mittee before Congress when it meets
BREWERS WANT TAX OFF
! The National Association of Brewers
in combining with the distilleIs, Whole
sale and retail, liquor dealers has in
view THE reduction of the two wal
taxes imposed upon beer. Before The
lCivil War beer was brewed free of tax
but upon the outbreak OF the Rebel
lliOn the Government imposed a tax OF
l$l per barrel to assist in defraying the
NNf'e VI NtNt 4 tAA6 NA llAl tOMAlNls Mh
tax stands today.
Upon the outbreak Of the Spanish.
American war an additional tax of 81
was added, making the total taxation
lS2 per barre. This must be paid by tn,
brewers, but they receive a rebate o.
twenty-five cents which brings the ac
ltual tax down TO Sl.75.
The association will ask Congress,
Ito remove the Civil War tax OF 81
thereby making the tax upon beer anl
llQuOr about alike.
All saloon men In this city are mucl
interested in the proposed movement
land are awaiting with interest wha
( faction Congress will take on the sub
iect. Anton Hauber. who is a membe
of the National Executive COMMITTEE
cf the Retail Liquor Dealers Associa
ltion, in speaking upon the subjec
lsays: "The movement is a good one
land all of the four large organization
, are in favor of IT,"
In the event of Congress taking III
J action on the subject. it is probable tina
! manufacturers and dealers i'm spirit
, nous liquors win combine in all States
irrespective of politics. and endeavo
3 to elect legislators who will give thei
: demands some recognition in Congress
4 WHO BREATHES MUST SUFFER.