Washington sentinel., 1901-05-18

| TEL reQuCllOn DC COnCCuGu AZ AaSN
OF a 40 per cent increase in the cos
OF production. They might also
suggest that il experiments in rev
enue-raising are necessary he
Government, with its overaowine
Golfers, is in a better position tc
assume the risk OF low tax than
brewers are to shoulder high one
OF course, an opportunity will
not be missed, when discussion
again comes up in Congress, to
appeal to the patriotic sentiment
which was found so effective on a
former occasion. This time the
tune will not be the country's
safety. but the country's material
interests. National expansion, II
will be, said, requires sacrifices for
while longer. We lack the
means OF transportation for our
products and shorter routes to the
markets OF the world To secure
these large outlays will be needed,
but IN the end the industries that
bear the burden now will reap the
profits many fold.
The syren song OF foreign mar
kets offers not the same glittering
allurements to bre Wers that it does
to steel manufacturers, machinery
builders and the like. American
beer, carried over thousands Of
miles Of intervening ocean, cannot
compete in price with beer pro-
duced on the spot. All other
things being equal, labo cost alone
will bar it from competition.
Brewers are we'll ware also that
as soon as a market is opened by
their efforts and at heir expense.
capital and enterprise will be found
to ca er to the demand thus created
at much lower prices than they
can offer. Companies are already
organizing to exploit the brewing
business in the Philippines, and in
a short while the capacity to sup
ply the wants of beer consumers
there will be developed in abund-
ance.
Is it for this that American bre ~
ers are TO be asked to submit to an
onerous tax for an indefinite timer
There are markets in China, but
not tor the product OF the brewery.
A people to whom a wage of a
penny day American money is a
large sum will hardly offer a field
in which to look for a return of the
Sa5 900, 600 year brewers will
have to pay Tor its opening.
There is reason to believe that
payment of political debts is con
tingent on a continuance OF the
be sr tax. The Ship Subsidy bill
calls Tor So, ooo, 900 a year, and the
Nicaragua Canal bill $4,000, 900
more-in all, Sa4 ooo, 900, or just
the sum brewers will pay each year
in excessive taxes. There may be
no connection between these
things, but they are worthy OF at
tention. Such obligations were
never assumed by brewers, and it
is hardly likely that they will
meeklY consent to be mulcted Tor
them.
The Buffalo Convention can we'll
rest its claim tor relief upon what
it has done. While other industries
were pro6ting by the sacrifices of
its members. their own business
has deterioratsd. They have no
desire to stand in the way Of the
material progress Of the country.
II merchant marine is needed, or
an interocean canal, they will hail
their acquisition with pleasure and
bear their share OF the cost with
out grumbling, though the advan-
tage to themselves is more than
problematic.
In all fairness, however, they
contend that so large share
the burden should not be placed
upon their shoulder. These pro.
iects are national in character, the
nation should bear the expense.
Push them if necessary, but let
means be devised by which their
cost will be distributed equitably,
and brewers will acquiesct in the
decision reached.
This is all they demand-less
they could not ask The Buffalo
Convention should make its wishes
known in no uncertain manner,
and we believe it will. We believe
also that when brewers go before
the next Congress united in the
cause OF repeal, and determined to
have it, they will get what they
want.