The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-01-25
SOME FACTS
ABOUT BEER
Secrets of Trade
Are Told in
Court.
TEST OF THE
LIQUOR LAW
Wholesalers Tell Of Alarming De-
crease in Sales While Brewery
Men Show increase.

The secrets of the liquor traffic in
Honolulu We're barred before Judge Es-
tee yesterday in the trial of the case
of Macfarlane & Co. ct al. VS.. w. H.
Wright, Treasurer of the Territory of
Hawaii According to the testimony
adduced at the trial, the sale of beer
made in the States has fallen off over
so per cent since the Honolulu Brew
cry began business. The use of the
amber liquid in the city has not de-
creased, however, for the figures given
by Manager Hooking showed a CORES
ponding increase in sales of the local
brewery.
Plaintiffs claimed that this was due
not so much to competition. as to the
issuance of licenses for $3.50 for the
sale of the home brewed beer, where
they were compelled to pay $1,000 for
the privilege of selling beer made else
where than in Hawaii. Defendant
claimed that the falling off in the bust
Tess of compliments was due to bene-
fetal competition, and the fact that
they sold beer for % cents a glass,
where defendant was willing to take a
that he could not interfere with any
lawful competition, and would take
cognizance only of the constitutional
question of whether or not the law I'M
der which the cheap licenses We're is
sued was in restraint of trade The
progress of the trial was tediously
slow, and it is doubtful if the case will
be concluded today. Little testimony
was introduced but what was objected
to, and the examination of the books
which defendant insisted should be put
in evidence consumed several hours.
W. H. Wright, the defendant in the
suit, was the first witness called by
the plaintiff. He said he had issued
twenty-five beer licenses at the $3.50
rate since July 1st, and admitted also
that a verbal request had been made
upon him by compliments for the
same kind of license, which he had
to give. Defendant objected to
the introduction of the books, and
plaintiff then began to read the names
of each license holder, to show the
location in proximity to the places of
business of compliments. The court
the reading, however, upon
objection that it was not material.
Il think it is material, said COM
plainant's attorney. Here man has
a business already established, and
you put around it a Gordon of these
cheap saloons which injure his trade
The court can't take cognizance of
any act within the discretion of the
Treasurer. He is the judge of where
the saloons shall be located 1 take it,
replied Judge Estee..
I'VE don't claim he is abusing his
The court can't interfere with COM
petition. or say that because of the es-
adjustment of that one saloon, some
man is making a greater profit than
some one else
Mr.. Silliman stated that the location |
of these saloons had nothing to do with |
the case.
We'll, if the damage is admitted,
said plaintiffs attorney, then there is
no use introducing any evidence-it is |
only a question of law"
THE court has already held that the |
demurrer was not good replied Judge /
Estee, land that the compliments have
shown they were damaged.
Plaintiff contended that it did make |
a material difference where these /
twenty-five saloons We're located. as .
showing the effect upon their business. |
Judge Estee stated that he could take /
cognizance only of the fact that the /
To-. tNT-X- Of
Hawaii, and it did not make any diff
whether the saloons were To- /
Gated in Honolulu or at Waikiki. The /
reading of the licenses was consequent /
~ not continued.
The witness further testified that /
there were probably twenty-five whole |
salers and dealers licenses issued by /
him, including quite a number who /
were not parties to the suit.
LIGHT ON BREWERY BUSINESS.
a A Hooking, PRESIDENT of the Ho-
nolulu Brewery. was then called by 4
plaintiffs, and from the beginning there
was a fight on part of defendant TO /
exclude his testimony as lmmaterial.
In what quantities have you been .
brewing beer at your brewery since
you started on this license?' asked MI.
Robertson on direct examination.
Mr.. Silliman objected. That's a nice
thing he said. Ito be inquiring into
The private business of a man in /
,ourt of justice. Next thing 1 suppose
you will be asking how much money
lie has been making
That's just what we intend to do,
-etorted Mr.. Dunno These liquor
men don't think it to be a very nice
hing to have their business cut down