The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-11-13
MORGAN ADVOCATES
HIGHER WINE DUTY
Representative of California
Grape Growers Urges In
crease in Import Tax
Shows That Diluted Alcohol Can
Be Substituted for Diluted
Foreign Wine

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.-Apparently
the wave of prohibition which is said
to have spread over the country has
had little effect on the consumption
OF alcoholic liquors and spirituous
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
the present tariff on spirits, wines and
other beverages, as the wine growers
and importers were practically the only
interests represented at today's hearing.
The morning session was enlivened
by sharp but good natured colloquy
between Percy 7. Morgan, representing
the wine growing interests OF Cali
fornia, and Representative Boutelle Of
Illinois.
Morgan was telling the committee
why the regulations of the Dingley
tariff covering the importations of still
wines should also extend to those wines
imported from other countries with
which the United States has reciprocity
treaties. Morgan said:
NO WHISKY FOR BOUTELLE
MY contention is that wines can be
imported under the present reciprocity
arrangements up to "a per cent, which
is 4S proof, while the whisky you your
self drink is only IS proof"
The whisky 1 drink is not any
proof" was Boutelle's quick rejoinder.
You may take some occasionally for
medicinal purposes" said Morgan.
Il never take any replied Boutelle.
Morgan maintained that under the
present reciprocity treaties with the
principal producing countries alcohol
diluted with wine could be imported In
stead of wine diluted with alcohol. He
said
In my revision of the tariff on wines there
should be established difference between wines
containing only alcohol produced by natural fer
mentation and those which have been fortified
condition may not continue to be presented Of
the possibility of importing alcohol into the
exacted on domestic spirits By the revenue laws.
or of such a handicap being placed on the do
nestle wine producer the possibility OF i'm
porting a wine of such alcoholic strength that
after arrival In the United States the addition
of water may effect the cutting In half Of the
established import duty.
FOREIGN LABELS COSTLY
W. E. HiIdreth of New York, a cham
payne expert, declared that the cost OF
making American wines was much
greater than was that of producing
French wines and champagnes. He was.
telling the committee that Americans
only pay for the French labels, when
Champ Clark remarked:
There are not a thousand men IN
the United States who. after they have
had three drinks, can tell what they
are drinking"
L. ]. Vance of New York. secretary
of the American wine growers associ-
alton, declared that the reciprocity
treaties gave the importers of foreign
champagne reduction of 81 per case
In the duty and that these importers
used the dollars thus saved for the
purpose of advertising and keeping a
trade which the American wine makers
possibly could get if they had a similar
amount to spend for that purpose.
MINERAL WATERS CONSIDERED
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 II. Wheeler of New York ar
gued for a 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 domestic
article even If put on the free list
King asked for a reduction in the
tariff on that beverage
Tomorrow the committee will take
up the schedule on tobacco and manu-
features of tobacco.
The regulation of the Importation of
olive oil Is one of the most important
subjects which the committee will have
to consider as result of the consider
alton of chemicals, oils and paints.
About 100000 gallons of olive oil were
imported into this country in 1907, of
which over one-third was admitted free
of duty, as olive oil fit only for manu-
featuring purposes.