Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-13
SURPRISING STATEMENTS BY
L0CAL LAWYER
HIS STORY OF A SECRET FUND
Alleges That the Eastern and Middle
West Brewerles Preoipitated the
No.SaIoon Crusade to Gust
Local Brewers

paign," said q well known lawyer yes
terday. "They are without doubt un-
conscious of the process and are per-
fectly innocent.
'The truth of the matter Is that this
campaign was precipitated and many
of the sinews of war are being fur
nished by the brewers of the middle
west, who for years have been trying
to extend their business in the Los
Angeles field.
"At present, you understand, the
trade of most of the local saloons is
controlled by the local breweries. That
is, over 150 saloonkeepers get their
beer from Los Angeles or San Fran
cisco under contract, and most of the
rest Of them get beer from California
producers although they may not be
under contract. A few saloons get
their beer from a Seattle brewery.
Those who buy from the east can be
numbered on the fingers of your hands.
During the winter one of the big
gest eastern brewers was here for
some weeks investigating the situa-
ton, and special agents from other of
the eastern breweries were here. They
came to the conclusion that the only
way to break into the local field was
for them to support the Anti-Saloon
leagues campaign-in secret, of course.
No one who has studied the situation
dispassionately believes that Los An
geles would remain a dry town for
long-a year, or at the most two years,
would end any dry regime. AS soon
as the people of Los Angeles became
disgusted with illegal traffic in liquor
and with the impracticalities Of the
ordinance and determined to reinstate
the present system of high license and
strict regulation, there would be a
new deal all around and the brewers
of the middle west would be able TO
divide the business with the local brew
cries.
Unknown to Chapman
Understand, 1 do not for moment
believe that DR.. Chapman or any Of
the anti-saloon leaders are guilty of
completely in this scheme, or indeed,
that they are conscious of the con-
spiracy. 1t has been worked in very
quiet and ingenious way. There Is a
far bigger fund-a secret fund-being
handled in Los Angeles today by the
agents of the eastern brewers, than
that at the disposal of the Anti-Saloon
league. The prohibitionists are being
worked by the liquor interests-of the
middle west.
realize what the game Of the eastern
brewers is / believe they will resent
the plot vigorously and emphatically.
The ordinance. mind you, does not
propose to prohibit the sale Of liquors,
except in saloons, the establishments
in which the middle western brewers
at present have scarcely any interest.
They figure on an increased sale of
bottled beer-their beer in particular
in the hotels and restaurants and in
the family trade, and believe it GER
tain that city of the size of Los An
geles with a cosmopolitan population,
will not long submit to a system that
is bound to prove a failure and disas-
trous to business interests. When Los
Angeles is ready to return to the sane
system of high license-if by any
chance the present plan should carry
at the coming election-the eastern
hot trrin hax
no trouble in getting half of the bulk
beer business, which is where the
profit lies.
How does Los Angeles like to be
put to the expense and trouble of a
special election, and to disturbance
of business conditions in order that
eastern brewers may drive local brew
ers out of the major portion of their
business?
mo one will believe that Los An
geles would be any better off If the
people consumed eastern beer instead
of the home product. Very large in
vestments of capital have been made In
the local breweries and hundreds Of
men are employed by the brewers. The
continued prosperity of the city de-
pends on the successful establishment
and maintenance of home industries.
Are we going to let crowd of shrewd
brewers in the middle west strangle
the local breweries, GUST us from a
manufacturing business that is worth
at least a million dollars year at
first hand, and interfere with trade
conditions, merely that somebody else's
beer may find a market?"