Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-05-05
SPEND LESS FOR DRINK.
Nations Liquor Bill Shows Eff
tects Of War on Drink
Evil
OUTPUT INDICATES sHRINkAeE
Everything From Champagne to Beer
Consumed in Smaller Quantities-
Wine Imports and Whisky Product
in Startling sIump-Loss Of s24,ooo,-
600 in Year.

New York, May lis the country
| wide agitation against the liquor traf-
fic actually causing decrease in the
amount of drinking?
The question is not answered by
citing the long list of states which are
partially or entirely dry. The confu-
sion of the liquor trade is too great
the evasions Of the laws are too nu-
merous and diverse. A more reliable
reply Is found in the falling off in the
production and sales of intoxicants, II
any, since the present war of reform
the internal revenue statistics. When
supplemented by the opinions Of ex-
pert liquor men they show Q startling
state of affairs.
From these sources 1t was learned
yesterday that, compared with CORE
spending periods in the previous year,
the production Of whistles in the
leading distilleries had decreased since
last October as much as 76 per cent.
In four months the whisky prepared
for sale in three states was 100000
gallons less than for the correspond
ing period In 1867. The imports of
champagne at this port for a similar
period decreased 46 per cent. The sales
of beer In the country at large have
slumped per cent in two months.
This means yearly ratio OF nearly -
900 900 barrels. valued at $24,000,000.
Back Of these bald statements are
many conditions and qualifications.
They are national in their scope and
import. Much of the story Of the de-
crease concerns the southern states.
There the conflict is most acute be-
tween the liquor producers and saloon
keepers and the almost unbroken
front Of the temperance and prohibi-
ton elements.
Wine Bills Cut Down.
But the evasions of prohibitive laws
and illegal drinking are as perplexing
as the vast fabric of legislation linn
ting or prohibiting the sale Of intoxi-
cants.
The extent to which Americans are
cutting down their wine bills is shown
by the imports from Europe, at this
port, one of the centers of distribution.
The figures are for the three months
ended March 81, last, and the cor
responding period for last year. The
proportions OF decrease in the leading
brands range from SIS per cent on
Jamaica rum to 20 per cent on sherry.
The annual output Of beer in the
United States is between 100000
and 60,000,000 barrels. At its present
price. about IS barrel, this would be
worth between $342.000,000 and $780,
100000 Not more than per cent Of
1t is sold in the southern states. On
the basis mentioned, this would
amount to between 1,140.000 and 1,200,-
600 barrels annually.
It is in the report on whisky that
the best test may be made of pos
sible decrease in drinking in the SOU
thern states. Nearly 80 per cent of the
standard whisky distilled In the United
States is produced in three states.
Kentucky comes first with her .distil-
leries valued at $100.000.000. Pennsyl-
VdAlb ~ SCCOAA, dlO AflAA L11lA Ne
Illinois has a large distilling industry,
but 1t is mostly of the inferior grades.
In Kentucky the slump in the pro-
duction of whisky, as compared with
last year, averaged from 81 to 81 per-
cent since October 1, last Pennsyl-
vania Jared better with decreases Of
from SO to 81 per cent. In Maryland
production fell off from A to 59.o5 per
cent.
Slump Began Two Months Ago.
The decrease in the sales for the
same period is shown by the interna-
tional revenue figures Of whisky with
drawn from bond to be. placed on the
market. There was an increase of 49,
216 gallons in the total for last October
over than for the same month in 1906.
But since Dec. last, the record Of
every month shows the slump from the
period of last season.
On March 1 last this deficit had
reached s1,026.020 gallons in four
The total for the 1906-1907
was 15,444.22O; that for the
1907-190s period was 14,418,230 gallons.
Until six months ago there was a
steady annual increase in the amount
Of beer and other malt liquors brewed.
It averaged from to 10 cents year.
The sales were maintained until about
two months ago. Then the slump be-
gan which thus far have reached the
average Of Z pc. cent. To the decrease
in the average output of from 57,000,-
600 to 100000 barrels a year by AM
erican breweries are to be added APP
6.0o0,OO0,0O0 gallons for
foreign beer, ale, and other malt liq-
uors imported annually and worth $4,-
5000 in round figures.
U. p. TO HELP SETTLERS.