Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-01
GE0RG!A'SLIQUOR INTERESTS
TRADE DISTURBANCE CAUSED BY
VICTORY OF "DRYs"
Breweries and Distilleries Will Be Re-
moved to Florida and Alabama.
Specializing on Loss and Gain.

AUGUSTA, Ca, August Chaos reigns
In the liquor traffic in this state since 1t is
foregone conclusion that the bill provid-
ing for absolute prohibition after January 1
will be signed by Gov. Smith before the end
of the week.
Dispatches from Savannah and other
cities tell story Of financial loss that runs
into many millions. Augusta will lose
$2,50O.OOO in property values and license
taxes. Columbus will lose heavily. At
lanta's loss will almost treble that of all
other whisky selling places in the state
Brunswck's loss will run above the million
mark. Macon will suffer heavily in the loss
of revenue from many saloon properties
and one of the finest breweries in the
south
1t is stated here that the railroads have
offered to transport breweries and stills to
other states free Of freight charges. Florida
and Alabama are the states to which the
whisky interests will move from Georgia
Tuesday night crowds of anxious women,
men and children waited for hours in the
capitol corridors while the members Of the
house were voting on the amendments, get
ting them out of the way in order to get
down to the real question.
Pandemonium of Joy.
Then when the doors of the house were
opened and it was announced that the
measure had been passed by the vote of
139 to 80 a scene of the widest rejoicing
took place. Wright, Covington and other
stanch supporters Of the bill were swept
from their seats. thrown upon the shoulders
of admirers and taken from the house to
the capitol grounds. From that place the
crowd proceeded to the Grady monument,
where the Doxology was sung and speeches
made by all leaders OF the fight for the bill.
Tuesday night after the Grady monu-
ment scene the crowd swept up the streets
to the governor mansion, where he was
giving reception to the young people of
the city. There he made a speech to the
people of Atlanta and told them he would
sign the bill just as soon as 1t reached him.
and the governor was cheered to the echo.
He is not in favor of prohibition; he pre-
fers local option, but it was the will of the
people and he could not oppose them.
In Atlanta there is brewing company,
100000. and in Savannah there is another
worth 100000. There are 2G3 saloons IN
Savannah; there are 125 In Atlanta. In the
remainder of the state there are about $50.
All must close ont in about five months.
This means confiscation for the breweres,
so says Mr.. Dunbar of Richmond, leader Of
the "antis."
However. the general expression of today
tain that in Atlanta. at least. blind tigers
will have their hands full. Mayor Joyner
announced that while he had opposed
the passage of the bill he would now uphold
the law. He declared that the bill would
not interfere with public Improvements. The
passage Of the bill, however, has interfered
greatly with both state and city finances.
The appropriations to the different branches
of the state university will have to be cut
in order to suit the size of the 1Svo revenue,
and the cities Of Georgia will have to be
economical.
Loss Of Population.
Georgians are specializing on the results
Of the enforcement Of the bill in regard to
loss Of positions and loss of population The
mayor Of Savannah has declared that his
city will lose 1000 citizens as result At
lanta Will lose a few, and so will other
places, but 1t is generally believed that those
now engaged in the whisky business will be
able to find other means of employment.
Mayor Tiedman of Savannah, has announc-
ed that the law will be enforced
Another result may be temporary stag
nation In the growth Of all big cities of
Georgia and drop in the value of real es-
tate. Probably also a drop In house rent
will result. The bill has been vigorously
iousht by the big real estate owners of At
lanta who have been renting to saloon men
1t Will mean the loss Of many dollars to
them, because all saloons have been having
high rent. Atlanta will lose over 5000. 600 a
year IN revenue. The city had also proposed
an extension of boundaries
The bill is the most drastic ever passed
BY its terms the only intoxicating Iionor
that can be sold In this state is pure alco-
mol; and this by drug stores, for medical
and scientific purposes only; every sale
must be recorded. SO the chances for eyad
ing the law are very slim.
1t Is pointed out by the opponents of the
measure that the most serious weakness of
the measure lies in the fact that 1t does NOT
and cannot forbid the shipment into Geor
gla of liquor from other states. This will
mean, OF course. constant stream of in
tox1cat1ng beverages from Jacksonville
montgomery. Birmingham and other Mace.
Liquor men are preparing to leave the citv