The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-03
BREWERS JUMP
PRICE OF
BEER
But Only on Some Dealers.
Schooner Houses Princi-
palIy Affected.

Fearing that some increases in the
wholesale price of beer may indicate
that the matter of making a general IN
crease is being considered by ali the
breweries, saloonkeepers in some sec
tions of the city are alarmed and are
awaiting the visits of representatives
of The ~beer-making establishments with
some t%repidation.
1t was reported that an average of 81
a barrel was yesterday tackled to the
rates Of both the Eagle and the Union
breweries. Several saloons were found
where it was declared that the report
was true in regard to h Eagle es-
Establishment, but out of foul that use
h Union product hone said that they
were being charged more or expected
10 be charged more than heretofore.
Remembering the recent meeting of
the New Jersey Brewers Association
to lconsider a general advance, many
retail whiskey dealers fear that 1t will
be made. despite the previous decision
TO the contrary. The committee that
went into the subject about two months
e reported that prices should be
raised. but recommended that they be
allowed to remain as they were until
next spring. The recommendation was
made because of the Discrimination Of
Manhattan brewer to join in the move
ment. meaning that many retail dealers
In this State would go to New York for
then goods.
Al the office of the Eagle Brewing Com
many It was denied that prices had been
Increased. 1t is understood that n raise
vas made In the form OF reducing the
percentage or rebate heretofore alloWeu
dealers. Thus. while the first price IS not
increased, the sellers profit is less.
one saloonkeeper declared that he was
,4oi,ired 10 pay $3.50 a barrel, while he had
been getting 1t for So heretofore. he
showed his bills to prove this, but owing
to the complex method of keeping saloon
accounts and of finding the price OF beer
nj Wholesale the bills proved little. Any
,xnxa he declared that it would probably
mean that he would AVE to quit busi-
ness.
Il can't cut the schooner down, he
said. 'for II | do I'll lose customers II
] continue to use the ones ] now nave |
viii make nothing, and my sale OF WHISTLES
won't pay my expenses.
At another place the proprietor stated
hat his beer had been raised to S6,4O,
against $50 heretofore, meaning an In
crease of S1.90 a barrel, or about % per
cent.
sswe haven't been making more than %
ner cent. net on the beer said the ag-
grieved saloonkeeper. (which means hat
unless the glasses are cut down we Will
make nothing. / can see nothing else 10
do but quit busin ess, unless / can get the
beer al a cheaper rate. TO reduce the
amount l have been selling Tor hve cents
win destroy my trade"
At each Of the saloons schooner trade
scanned to be the backbone of the business,
and very liberal ones were served out at
both of them for five cents. The second
malaager said that he had tried a smaller
schooner yesterday when he learned that
he would have to pay more, and the
consequence had been the loss Oh Gus
toners. Those who were not regular Gus
toners accented the abbreviated schooner
without complaint.
eNearly every one of my regular Gus
toners" said the proprietor. refused to
accept II, saying that they could get just
as much for three certs with lunch thrown
81 at other places. In one afternoon
while trying the experiment, | lost propa-
bly, q dozen regular customers, who VIII
come no more. | restored the old glass
this morning.
Saloonkeepers on whom the increase was
levied saw that it was done without notice,
IDEX kflOWlnk llulllhS ubouA - " -
leetors came around to obtain aymen or
the weekly bills yesterday. The excuse
given BY the brewery representatives. was
that thev would have to get more for the
beer or close their plants.
Added to the general high prices OF two
months ago. when the State association
made an Investigation, has been the tight
money market Of the past month, which,
many dealers fear, may prove a motive
for brewers 70 make 81 general increase
Of prices. However, the brewers COM
municated with denied that such was in
contemplation.
All of the breweries have a peculiar
system of hxing prices. They charge the
dealer on the basis OF his class of trade.
which is determined by the size of the
beer glass used. Where 1t is small they
get the best prices, Of course. giving con-
sideration for those that use very large
amounts. The smallest prices are charged
thee small shops where large schooners
have to be showed across the counter to
appease a very thirsty public. The brew
cry companies have a system of rebates
and percentage that apparently knows lit
tie law, but by which they can increase
or lower prices without doing such directly,
and on one or two dealers without doing
70 generally. The average of all, it was
earned. is now about Sc a barrel.