The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-29
Question Of "What Is
Whiskey" Up.
hHE PRESIDENT IS The JUDGE
Hearing Is Had In The Cabinet
Room.
Vlstinsuished Army Of Legal Talent
Endeavor to show the Presi-
dents what Mixtures should
Called ~Whiskey.1

'Washir.gto June 2S.--Acting in his
old time chair as Judge. Ppresident
fTaft today wrestied with the question
r. what is whiskey.?' Before him were
faftorneys representing practically all
Dche interests which have been waging
p light over the original decision OF
tDr whey, chemist of the department OF
agriculture In regard to what is whis-
tkey and what should be labelled ''imi-
nation whiskey." A fna1 decision was
hoped for today.
Jos. II. Choate. former American am
baesador TO Great Britain was prominent
tamong the array of counsel for the
manufacturers. while among those OPP
posing him was John q. Carlisle, for
1ner Secretary OF the Treasury as the
representative OF the distillers. War
Swick NJ Hough OF Washington and
laurence Maxwell of Cincinnati. ap-
blenders and for rye distillers OF Penn
Byiyania and Maryland; and VIM. Rob-
bins for Canadian blenders: Herman r.
Eeilarfus and ]. Walter Freiberg,
spirit distillehrs of Cincinnati and Sena
tor VIM. w. Armstrong of New York
for malt whiskey company. Edumnd
Taylor was associated with Mr. Carlisle.
Il AL OF the interests present had fall
ed exceptions to the decision of Soli-
citor General Bowers, who some time
ago held that all combinations made
fro ingram even II containing ethyl al
cohoi also made from grain were entitl-
ed To the term "whiskey" just the same
as the unmixed. straight goods never
toached by rectifyers. He held. how
ever that IL the ethyl alcohol was made
from molasses. the term whiskey could
not be used under the pure food law.
The distillers who found themselves
Rawored by the previous decision OF the
Roosevelt administration that straight
whiskey" should be that article of
manufacture from the grain, without
blending or mixing and anything aged
In charred barrels by -distillauon or
mixing with neutral spirits was blend
cd whiskey" and must be so labeled un-
der the law. objected to the new dsct-
sion. Both sides of the controversy
had experts to explain the situation to
the president today
The hearing was held in the cabinet
room and engaged the attention of the
president practically all day. Attorney
Eeueraa Wickersham was present at the
Request OF the president. In opposing
Ahe decision. counsel for the reotifying
Htsfillsps and blenders claimed that
hwftshey made by the continuous pro-
Ecess had been known as whiskey for
more than thirty years and that whis.
key refined as highly as that made by
khe continuous process and containing
mo greater amount of conkeners has
been known as whislzey for more than
nifty years. They declared that no oues-
kton,of purity or food value was involv-
"a in the controversy.
III those who drink whisiSey made By
continuous process are satisfied with
ms taste and flavor Inquired Mr.. Hough
81 the presiden WHO shall complain7"
Attorneys for Ohio rectifyers were
most emphatic in declaring that con-
xzress did not intend 10 1eKislate against
khe mixture with whfskey OF spirits de-
rived FROM molasses.
4 After prolonged arguments by Mr.
ryhoate and Senator Armstrong the hear
kne was adjourned until tomorrow
morning.