The Detroit times., 1909-06-02
SAY DRY WAVE IS
PASSING AWAY
Brewers Board of Trustees, in Re.
port, Declares Reaction Is Setting
49, In-Convention Begins.

ATLANTIC CITY. N. j.. June O.
The Prohibition wave" has reached
its height and the reaction is already
beginning To set in.
This opinion was officially express
ed by the board of trustees OF the
United States Brewers association In
report presented 10 that organiza'
ton which met here today for its con-
vention.
Prohibition and local option and the
bitter fight directed against liquor
makers and liquor sellers by the Anu
Saloon organizations was the cmcl
topic OF discussion.
There Is q growing conviction inc
trustees said. THAT the professional
advocates OF the antisaloon league
movement have overshot the marx
and that their statements are grossly
exaggerated, even where they are not
purposely misleading. The political
character OF the agitation In some
states has become apparent and there
is disposition on the part or the
more thoughtful and responsible jour
nails 10 discuss the drink question IN
a sane and constructive manner. The
real leaders of the best thought of thu
country are coming TO realize thal
there is a safe middle ground upon
which all reasonable people can
stand"
The trustees asserted that today
the leading brewers were not only
abreast but ahead of this sentiment
and called to witness the progressive
legislative measures urged in ONO,
IN
Aduiteration of Beer Uncommon.
The report declared that the adul-
iteration of beer is now quite uncom-
mon in this country.
The report admitted that sales oil
beer for the nine months from June
30. 1908. to April /, 1909, showed
decrease over those OF the preceding
year of $2,5S0 .30l.l4, but returns IN
dictate, II was said, that the decrease
IN states like Pennsylvania. New YORK
and New Jersey which have practic-
ally no dry" territory of consequence
have been as large in proportion as
the decrease in states that by area are
largely dry
The trustees declared that one un'
deniable result of anti-liquor legisla'
ton had been a big increase In the
consumption of spirits. In Maine. lot
instance. the consumption or beer
would not keep one small brewery 60
ing. But traffic in hard liquors and
patent medicines Is OF considerable
proportions"
The report asserted that the saloon
is a municipal problem; that county
option has failed. with very few ex'
ceptions the cities of Indiana. Ohio
and Michigan that have been mace
dry under the county option system
are in revolt against It..
The best conditions are to be FOUND
in states where legislation has been
wise and fair and municipal govern
ment efficient and strong,
AS IN example the trustees point 70
Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania excise laws were
reviewed for the brewers by George
Mullen, manager of the educational
bureau OF the association In that state.
Won't Take All Blame.
Percy Andrea of Cincinnati. express
cd Indignation because the evil results
OF LIQUOR traffic were placed at the
door OF the brewer. entirely ignoring
the responsibility of the whisky man.
In Ohio. he said, there were enough
laws TO place the saloons upon
plane OF purity, the contemplation OF
which would almost put the Sunday
schools to the blush
And there" he continued. You
have the knot OF the problem. Stat
utes everywhere without number, but
no enforcement. The remedy OF the
condition we are facing today lies not
in combating what is known as the
prohibition movement but rather In
removing the cause which Is giving
that movement such widespread public
support.
William c. Manchester. counsel for
the Michigan State Brewers associa'
ton, spoke on legal aspects OF the
question along much the same lines.