Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1908-01-03
MAKE BREWERS PAY
FOR THE HhRBORS
BILL INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS
WHICH MAY DOUBLE THE
TAX ON BEER.
TEMPERANCE MANS PLAN.
Representative AcheSon Wants to Raise
Fifty Million Dollars for Water
ways Improvements.
WAR ON THE BOTTLE is GAINING.

W 1oN, II. T., Dec e.
Especial. THE flood of bills aimed at
the liquor Interests which started at the
opening of the session of Congress con-
tnued until adjournment for the holiday
recess. The fact that scores of these
bills have been introduced furnishes an
accurate index to the sentiment in House
and Senate in favor of legislation regu-
lating the sale of beer and whisky
Many of them came from sources from
which they were not expected. 1t was
generally understood that members from
southern states in which prohibitOry laws
have been enacted would introduce anti
liquor measures that would supplement-
the state laws. But large number was
introduced by congressman from states
i'll which the Prohibitionists were sup
posed to have made little if any head
way.
What the Bills Provide.
\ great majority of the liquor bills are
Identical i'll their effects upon the liquor
traffic. They simply provide that no in
toXicating liquors shall be transported
from any state or territory or the Dis
trict of Columbia into any other state
or territory. The penalty proposed is the
forfeiture of the liquors so transported
and tine and Imprisonment for the Of
fender. The other bills prohibit the sale
of liquor in the District of Columbia
and increase the revenue tax on beer and
whisky.
Make Liquor Furnish the Cash.
The most striking measure of the lat
ter class has been introduced by Repre-
sentative Acheson of Pennsylvania. Its
purpose is indicated by the title which
is, ITO provide for an annual apprOpria-
ton of $4,000 900 for the improvement
of waterways and TO provide the method
for raising the revenue therefor" MIR
\ PbpSOD 10 thn nix ronIpha- of q
House committee on rivers and harborS
and one of the most influential members
OF the Pennsylvania delegation in the
House. For twenty-five years he has
fought the liquor interests in his state.
He is also an enthusiast on the PROPOSE
ton that Congress authorize annually
large expenditures for river and harbor
improvements. The National Rivers
and Harbors Congress adopted a resolu-
ton favOring an annual river and harbor
bill that will authorize the expenditure
of at least $50,OO0,OO0. Mr.. Ache
son in his bills proposes to raise
this amount by imposing an addi-
tional tax of 81 per barrel upon every
barrel of beer brewed in the United
States.
Raise Tax on Beer
With reference to his bill Mr.. Ache
son said today:
THE demand for river and harbor i'm
prOvements no longer is confined to COM
munities interested in local projects; it
is national in its scope. The condition
of the national finances at this time does
not justify the large expenditures nee
essary for the proper development of
our waterways. l say make the brewers
pay for these improvements. Last year
there was brewed in this country about
50,00O000 barrels of beer. The brew
ers now pay 4 tax of 81 barrel I'm
pose an additional tax of 81 barrel and
the government will have the $5000O,-
600 required for waterway improve
ments. Everybody who knows anything
about the brewery industrybis aware of
the fact that the brewers make ire
mendous profits During the Spanish
war Congress raised the beer tax to 81
a barrel. Later the tax was restored to
81 a barrel. Had the temperance senti-
ment been as strong then as it now is
the tax never would have been reduced.
l have discussed my bill with many
members of the House and | have been
surprised to learn that it will receive
strong support from every section of the
country. The proposition to take some
of the millions of profits from the sale
of beer and devote them to waterway
improvements is generally regarded as
fair and practical"