The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1908-11-13
SATISFIED WITH TARIFF
Only Wine Growers and Importers
Present at Hearing

Only Wine Growers and Importers
Present at Hearing
Washington. Nov. 13.-The wave of
prohibition which, 1t is claimed has
spread over the country, apparently
has had little effect on the consump-
tion of alcoholic liquors and spurious
drinks, according to evidence brought
out at today's hearing on the proposed
tariff revision before the house COM
mittee on ways and means. 1t was
apparent too, that the liquor interests
are, on the whole. we'll satisfied with
the present tariff on spirits, wines
and other beverages, as the wine
growers and importers were practical
ly the only interests represented at to-
days hearing.
The morning session was enlivened
by sharp but good natured colloquo
between Percy T. Morgan, represent
Ing the wine growing interests of CAL
ifornia, and Representative Boutell Of
Illinois. Mr.. Morgan was telling the
committee why the regulations of the
Dingley tariff covering the importa-
tion of still wines should also apply
to those wines imported from coun-
tries with which the United States has
reciprocity treaties. Addressing Mr..
Boutell, Mr.. Morgan said:
"My contention is that wines can
be imported under the present reci-
procity arrangements up to "a per
cent which is forty-eight proof, while
the whiskey which you yourself drink
is only eighty-five proof"
"The whiskey I drink isn't any
proof" was Mr.. Boutell's quick re-
joiner.
"You may take some occasionally
for medicinal purposes" said Mr.. Nor
gan.
81 never take any," replied Mr..
Boutell.
Mr.. Morgan claimed that under the
present reciprocity treaties with the
principal wine producing countries,
alcohol diluted with wine could be
imported instead of wine diluted with
alcohol.
"In any revision of the tariff on wine
there should be re-established differ
entail between wine containing only
alcohol proceeded by natural fermenta-
tion and those which have been forti-
fled by the additional of distilled spir-
it's" he said. so that the condition
may not continue to be presented of
the possibility of importing alcohol
into the United States at less rate of
duty than is eXacted on domestic spir-
its by the revenue law, or such a
handicap law being placed on the do
mestic producer as the possibility of
importing a wine OF such alcoholic
strength that after arrival in the Unit
ed States the addition of water may
effect the cutting in half of the estab-
lished import duty
Champ Clark prominently spoken Of
as the successor to John Sharp Will
liams, as minority leader on the floor
of the house was present for the first
time at the hearings as member of
the committee. w. E. Hildreth of New
York champagne exporter declared
that the cost of making American
wines was much greater than was
that of producing French wines and
Champagnes.' He was telling the COM
mittee that Americans only pay for
the French labels, when Mr.. Clark
remarked:
There are not thousand men in
the United States. who, after they have
had three drinks can tell what they
are drinking"
L. j. Vance of New York. secretary
of the American Wine Growers as
sociation, furnished the committee
with much Information with regard
to the selling prices and cost of pro-
duction of wines in European coun-
tries. He also spoke with regard to
the wine industry in the eastern
states, principally New York. He de-
clared that the reciprocity treaty gave
the importers of foreign champagnes
a reduction of per case in the duty
and that these importers use the So
thus saved for the purpose of adver-
tising and keeping trade which the
American wine makers possibly could
get If they had similar amount to
spend for that purpose.
He also asked for an increase of the
duties on mineral waters to meet the
high tariffs of foreign countries. He
declared that France practically pro-
hibits the importation of American
waters.
At the afternoon session c. H. King
and John H. Wheeler of New York
argued for decrease in the duties
on ale, porter and beer and declared
that as result imported ale and stout
would be cheaper to the consumer.
saying that Irish ginger ale could not
possibly be sold cheaper than the do
mestic article even if put on the free
list. Mr. King asked for reduction
in the tariff on that beverage.
ENT0MREn MEN