Bisbee daily review., 1908-11-26
DECREASE SHOWN IN USE OF LIQUOR.


 IN USE OF LIQUOR.
 Is growing sentiment fin favor of prohibition or hard times responsible for heavy decreases in government re- ceipts from internal revenue taxation? Do people now q ink less because temperance has become more gener- al, or do they have smaller sum of money to expend tor such luxury? Officials of the internal revenue bu- reau will not attemrc to answer these questions, They only know that the falling, off in receipts began in Octo- Der, 1907. coincidsnt with the panic, and for the nine months up to June 30. 1908, the net decrease over the previous fiscal year aggregated SIG. 17S,094. They also know that as the drinking habit and the use of tobacco are supposed to go hand in hand, the net receipts from taxation on tobacco products decreased a net aggregate of s1,94S,315.
 It is explained by the officials that the loss of revenues still continues, but now fluctuates from month to month, indicating that by the last day of next June, when the present fiscal year ends, a large portion of the loss may be regained. For the four months of July, August, H' ptenber and Oc- tober in this fiscal year the decrease in revenues from all liquors amounts to s9,4OO.000. At present the falling of remains stationary, and officials believe there will be a material in crease from this time.
 If this expectation is not realized and the present ratio of decline con tinues, June 30 next would show a decrease for the year of more than 5000, GOO. This would be as com pared with a loss of $16.17S,O94 tor the last fiscal year, all of which loss occurred in nine months of that year
 As the period of loss has been dis tributed among par:s of two fiscal years it is impossible for the officials 10 definitely say whether the decrease in revenues is due more to prohibition than to hard times. They are inclin- ed to give hard times the best of the doubt because the falling off began with the panic and seems ready to abate with the pres>med resumption of better conditions.
 Reductions in collection forces and the consolidation of agencies are also standof as between prohibition and hard times. The Second and Fifth districts in Tennessee were consoli- dated. but the temperance wave has not yet prevailed in that state, and the failing of in receipts is due to hard times. Changes in the colIec- ton districts of Alabama and Louls- lana may reasonably be credited to prohibition Tn VI giria and Georgia no changes have been made. and the forces and agencies remain as here tofore-
 It is self evideat that if the de crease in receipts continues for any Iappreciable length of time there will be further consultations and reduc- tions in force, all If which will be credited to a growing sentiment in favor of prohibition.
 It is a remarkable fact that dur, ing the nine months when the reve- nues decreased S16,178,694 the re- ceipts from taxation on fermented liquors, such as beer, ale. lager and porter, increased 3 net aggregate ot s239,79s. Officials hold this indicates that during the hard times people abandoned the b'greI priced spirits ed drinks. This would further sug- gest that business depression and scarcity of money, rather than tenn perance sentiment, is affecting the | government revenue.
 Nearly all tbeTEesvy falling of in revenues has been cbargea5le to prod