The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-09-30
REFUND REBATES
The Bsrnhein Dissillias Company Of
Louisville, Ky,
MAKES RESTITUTION
Concern, Once Represented by Far
mum Agrees to Pay to the Wind
ing-Up Commission $4,000, Al
though the Commission Has no
Claim Of Overcharges.
Claim Of Overcharges.

though the Commission Has no
Claim Of Overcharges.
The Columbia correspondent of
The News and Courier says follow
ing a conference last week between
the winding-up commission of the old
State dispensary and the representa-
tfyes of the Bernheim Distilling Com
pany, of Louisville, KY, the company
Monday announced that it will re-
fund to the State overcharges on
liquor amounting to $4,000. Ihe
company, which was represented be-
fore the old State board of controlF
by James s. Farnum, acquitted Sat
urday Of bribing JOS. B. Wylie, then
a member of the purchasing board, to
give the concerns represented by
Earnum the preference in purchasing
liQltors, admits the overcharges and
says it is willing to make good this
much Of the States lose.
The refund Is voluntary on the
part Of the company, as the old State
dfspensary board of control had eff
Sected complete settlement with
the concern before the winding-up
commissions took charge of the affair
OF the dispensary when the institu-
tion was legiElated out Of existance,
and the company never has put in
al claim for money due it for the
liQGors sold to the dispensary, as
has been done by many OF the oth-
eg houses, which had. been awarded
contracts for liquors. - :
! Attorney General Lyons was asked
ABOUT the matter. He SAID that the
facts in the case were that the Bern
helm Distilling Company had offered
to the di5pensary commission $50,
600, and that the money Is on de-
posit in the Louisville banks. The
fact that this company wished to
turn over this large sum. of money
came over the telephone from the
Atlanta firm of Anderson, Fielder,
RoGntree & Wilson. It is under
stood, though not obtained official
ii, that the Atlanta firm secured the
settlement. but 1t also appears that
the money comes voluntary. The mat
ter is settled now, and the money
belongs to the State of South Car
olina.
The remarkable part Of the whole
transaction is that the Bernheim
firm had no claim against the State
of South Carolina.
The money that the State owed
this firm had been previously paid
up and the books were closed. To
offer $4,000 and then to turn the
money over is clearly an admission
that there were oyercharges.
Although there had been general
understanding that some of the whis-
key firms might possibly cough up
this transaction is a new one in its
nature. 1t is known James S. Far.
mum represented the Bernbeim firm
here during the days Of the State
dispensary. In the recent trial of
Mr.. Farnum it was mentioned In
the testimony that this was one of
the firms that he represented. The
payment of $4,000 to the State Is
taken as an admission tnar the State
was overcharged at least this much
and that rebates were paid. This
is the only difference that can be
drawn. Aside from the fact that
the money has been rendered the
State, it was very difficult to obtain
any official information.
1t was known recently that there
was secret meeting of the dispen-
sary commission and very probably
this matter came up at the time.
There is speculation as to what
effect that $4,000 money tender
will have upon the alleged graft
trials The effect upon the other
can easily be guessed, though, tina.
no immunity is guaranteed when
the commission accepts the 100000.
It might be added, however, that
dUCIuSl 6oOu SuSoo 10 bAoS oaS "a
the Bernheim people would be prose-
cuted. The proposition they advance
is fair enough on its face. return
to the State of $4,000, when no
claim is outstanding, and this in
comparison with figuring upon
the alleged rebate schedule that
would look something like $4,000
for alleged overcharges. That looks
pretty good for South Carolina.
This case that is brought today
T. but one Of the many matters that
the State dispensary investigation
has brought about. What the mora.
effect will be canGot be estimated,
nut the State cf South Carolina IS
$4,000 to the good. AS brought out
before the dispensary winding-up
commission the Rernheim Company
vas one Of the THO including also
the Big Four people. and one othar
concern. all of which the commission
was disposed TO class as one concern.
In the present transaction confer
ence of attorneys was held. and many
other details which probably will
be brought out later.