Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1906-02-07
Interesting Testimony Before
House Committee.
BLIND TIGER" BILLS FROM
SOUTH ATTRACT ATTENTION
Declares Proposed c, 0. D, Provision
in Liquor Bill Would Be Infringe
ment on States Rights.

correspondence Morning Journal.
Washington, Feb, S-That the Unit
ed states Brewers association was
heartily in sympathy with the war on
the "Blind Tigers" of the south, which
ia the subject of dozen bills under
consideration by the ways and means
committee. was the authoritative dec-
lorotion of Robert Grain, OF baiti-
more. general counsel for that orgahi-
cation before the subcommittee OH
internal revenue today. Instead OF op-
nosing the various bills introduced TOT
his purpose by Representatives Hum
nbrevs of Mississippi Little, of Ark
ansas Bowie. of Alabama, Clark, OF
Florida, williams, of Mississippi bel'
of Georgia, Dearre, of Marylahu' Ma
con. of Arkansas, Wileyof Alapahha'
and Rixey, of Virginia. as was expect
ed would be the case Mr., Grain near
ti1v endorsed the efforts of those men
toned and "our good friends, the
nrohibitionists" to crush the blind u
gers" or "speakeasies' by requiring
collectors Of internal revenue TO ceru-
~ to the state courts when requlteu'
a conv of the national liquor TAX GER
tiacate issued to any person agaihst
whom proceedings might be instituted
fo,. violation of a state liquor law
"rhe blind tiger OF the southern
states IS one OF the things the brewers
and / speak for 95 per cent OF those II.
the United states, do not care 10 s'ahu
for" declared Mr. Grain with great
emnbasis. 1--WE are always only too
glad to serve the good people VINO
seek enforcement of the liquor laws
when they can show us practicai
method one Of the faults of prohi-
bition however. is that 1t hugs the in
sane delusion that the body polite
can be prevented from drinking In any
| form"
Mr. Grain also interested the mem
bers of congress by formally announce
ing the support of the brewers for a
pure food law, saying that the time
/ was opportune to make such an am
nouncement although the bill was not
/ before that committee THE brewers
/ are endeavOring now and Will continue
TO do SC" he said, Ito aid In every
way to pass a pure food law, We are
anxious to have a standard of manu-
I featuring set by the government and
a government stamp on every keg OF
beer showing It to be pure malt liquor
containing only 3ta per cent alcohol.
Although the hearing was before
sub committee of which Representa-
tive Dalzell Is chairman. the room was
crowded principally with members OF
congress Interested in the subject
Nearly every member OF the ways and
means committee was present and IN
addition TO those others having bills
on the subject were Representatives
Sherley. of Kentucky, Sullivan, of
Massachusetts, and others appearing
I'm opposition to some of the meas
ures. The principal bill under con-
sideration was that Of Representative
Williams, of Mississippi, which pre-
vents the sending of malt, vinous or
sprituous liquors from one state to
another &C. o. d." when the state
where the liquors are received has
prohlbitory law Addressing himself
to this question, Mr.. Grain created
much amusement by humorous at
tack on Representative Williams for
chasing beer with lottery tickets, OBJ
scene pictures and other things to
which the same prohibition will apply.
lie protested that beer had been de-
cared liquid food by many learned
scientists that the brewing industry
paid TO the government fifty million
dollars year In taxes and supplied 20
per cent of the people Of the country
with It's product 1T is a shame tO
constantly class beer with lotteries.
indecent pictures vice and crime" he
hoatedly declared. There has been
much talk of the increase of homi-
cldes In the south. Where was there
ever a man driven 20 commit murder
by drinking beer? Beer does not nll
your iails and penitcntiaries. nor does
Il drive men to murder or rapine. The
crimes complained Of In the south
come from tho vile wood alcohol and
poisonous compounds sold by tho
boot lcggers' 10 the Indians and by
the blind tigers and walking speak
easIes."
n Turning his attention TO tho &C O.
D." provision In the Williams bill, Mr..
Grain insisted that congress would net
take the liberty OF telling a citizen OF
one state that he could not order any
thing from a citizen Of another state
90. o. D." except liquor "You say
, nothing at present about coffee. sugar
or tea" he continued. 'but where IL
! this interference with Interstate COM
, mcrce 10 end? The democrats are in
! peculiar position IN that they were
I I "a fttfava fonforu - ttofafn -tahf@ h..t
were now coming to congress 20 ask
interference with state rights You
have twelve bills before you introduce
! cd by southern and western members
[ and every one OF them asks for inter-
ference with state rights BY the gen-