The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-12-27
PRESIDENT CONCLUDES INvES-
TiGaTIoN OF NATURE OF
STIMULATING DRINK.
OVERRULES AUTHORITIES
Chief Executive Reverses Verdict of
Former President Roosevelt, Former
Attorney General Bonaparte, Solicitor
General Bowers and Or. Wiley, of
POISON Squad" Fame.

Washington, Dec. 26-whisky /.
whisky. President Taft has at last de
clared. 1t is whisky when made o
neutral spirits, says the president, 4
reduced To potable strength. But fl
must be branded so that these buy.
ing it may know just what they ar,
getting. The decision, made after 3
long series of hearings participated In
by members of the governments pure
food department and distillers. was an.
nounced today. The president covered
various details i'm his decision and
gave directions for the proper brand
ing of various varieties of liquor hold
ing. among other things. that whisky
made from a mixture OF "straight''
whisky and neutral spirits" may be
called a blend.
Will Be Branded.
According to Mr.. Taft's instructions
straight" WHISTLES will hereafter be
branded as such. but the brand may
be accompanied by the legend Aged
In wood and whisky made from rec
titled, distilled or neutral spirits will
De branded so as to make known the
principal ingredient. In addition. If
they so desire. manufacturers of
straight whisky also may use the
word bourbon or rye" as the facts
may warrant
The definition of blends" is not
made broad enough to include neutral
spirits made from molasses and re-
duced to potable strength. This ar
ticle, the president says, cannot be
labeled as whisky: TX Is rum. IT,
president takes DIR. Wiley and other
chemists to task for Fundamental
error as to what the name whisky"
has included in the last 100 years and
also expresses the opinion that Mr..
Bowers makes too nice a distinc-
tior" in his deductions
If" he said, speaking of the opin-
ion OF Mr.. Bowers. "high wines at
from 140 degrees to 1s0 degrees. when
reduced to potable strength and con-
tanning IA small quantity of fusel oil
and Favored by burned sugar. are
whisky, as he has found. then the
mere Improvement in the process by
continuous distillatinn so as to give
a product of from f60 degrees to 1ss
degrees proof and still further to re-
duce Its fusel oil Is not to change its
whole nature or To make what was
genuine whisky imitation whisky
because of slight reduced trace of
ingredient. The distinction = too i'm
practicable. in my Judgment, for the
execution of the law"
The president thinks such an order
as his decision contemplates cannot do
injustice. Those" he says, "who
make whisky for .rectified' re-distilled.
or neutral spirits cannot complain II.
To prevent further frauds they are re-
auired To use a brand which shall
show exactly the kind of whisky they
are selling. For that reason, 1t seems
to me fair to require them to brand
their produce as whisky made from
reetified spirits or whisky made from
re distilled spirits or whisky made
rom neutral spirits as the case may
be; and. II aged in the wood as some
lines Is the case. with this class of
they may add this fact.
Public to Know.
"The public will be made To know
exactly the kind of whisky 1t buvs
ana drinks. II they desire straight
whisky they can get it by purchasing
what is branded straight whisky nj
hey are willing to drink whisky or
1ndcr Il brand showing it: and if ther
are content with a blend of flavor
made by the mixture of straight whis-
~ made of neutral spirits, the brand
IF the blend upon the package will
'nahle them TO buy and drink which
hey desire. This Mas the intent of
he act. IL Injuries no mans lawful
business. because il only insists on the
a 70 Ef tia
IF those who manufacture whisky |
made of neutarl spirits and wish to |
all il whisky without explanatory
phrase, complain the addition of 'neu- !
raj spirits i'm the label takes away
some of their trade. they are without
/ just ground because they lose their I
rade merely through a statement Of I.
he fact. The straight whisky men
ire relieved from all future attempt /
o pass Off neutral spirits whisky as |
straight whisky. More than this. if 4
straight whisky or any other kind OF !
is aged i'm wood. the fact may 4
'e branded on the package. and this I
lain TO public favor may truthfully .
be put forth.
The decision follows lines OF con-
,lusi0nS reached by the Royal COM /
mission Of Great Britain and rsverSes
he verdict of former President Roose-
ELLA, former Attorney BOnap parte. So /
(cttor General Bowers. and DR. Wiley.
.hief Of the bureau of chemistry. The (
Roosevelt BOnaparte-wil order de-
lied the Use of the word whisky in
branding To all liquor except straight
whisky the whisky is aged in charred
'ak casks AIR Bowers extended the
Use OF the word To liquors made of
'rRstified' and distilled spirits. Presi-
lent Taft goes step further and in
'ludes blends and whisky made from