Evening journal., 1910-08-22
COLD COMFORT
FOR The "PROHIBS''
SOuth'S Drought Does Not
Seem to Be Lowering Con-
sumption Of Liquors
INCREASES ALL AROUND
TAI DCxTrAIIIL nCrr4nTc
ifV REVENUE NEIEIr ID

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22--The pre-
liminary report of the Commission
er of Internal Revenue gives little
comfort to the prohibitionists, for
Notwithstanding the fact that there
are now more States than ever before
which prohibit the sale of intoxicat-
ing LIQUORS, and the area in which
such beverages may be lawfully sold
has been greatly restricted by To-
cal option laws in other states, the
consumption of distilled spirits, such
as whisky, rum, gin, etc, and fer
mented liquors, including beer, por-
ter, ale, etc, has greatly increased
during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1910, as compared with the year end
ed June 30, 1909.
Liquor Consumption Increases.
The increase in the tax-paid with
drawals from bond for consumption
was $12,007 GIL tax gallons, the guam
tity for the year 1909 being S116,-
$50, ,165 tax gallons and that for 1910
being 12S,657,776 tax gallons. The
increase in the consumption of beer,
are and porter has been 3,1S1,620
barrels, equal to 9S,63O,22 gallons;
I'VE quantity tax paid in 1903 being
sc. "9,497 barrels and for 1910 59,-
4S5,11f barrels.
1t is reported unofficially that there
has been a decrease in the collections
from licenses of retail and wholesale
liduor dealers, and consequently
decrease in the number of legitimate
dispensers of intoxicating liquors
notwithstanding the increase in the
consumption of these drinkables.
The production of distilled spirits
during the last fiscal year, according
to the monthly statement issued by
the Revenue Office, was approximate
ly 23,O00,000 gallons in excess OF the
production of 1903, and the 234,OOO,-
600 gallons now held in bond is so
distributed by ages of production that
there will be virtually no forced with
drawals on account of expiration OF
the bonded period of eight years.
Not Due to Prohibition.
Last year, when there was a de-
crease in the tax payments of distill-
ed spirits, as compared with the year
1908, of 100000 gallons, and of beer
of 2,444.OOO barrels, this decrease was
generally attributed TO the prohibi-
tion movement, but a study Of the in
ternal revenue receipts from these
sources would seem to indicate that
they are a very sensitive barometer
as to trade conditions throughout the
country, and that the prohibition
movement has not materially affected
the receipts therefrom. During the
financial disturbance of October and
November, 1907, the receipts for No
vember, 1907, from distilled spirits
were more than $5,O0O,O00 less than
for November, 1906, and a slong as
the financial stringency remained the
internal revenue receipts We're below
the normal.
The receipts from these sources II
1909, as compared with 1908, show
that the decreases from the norma
collections were, in most instances
in centers of population where there
had been no modification whatever
of the prohibitory laws. This was
especially true of beer, ale and por.
ter. which, on account of their bulk
are not extensively shipped into pro-
hibited territory.
Republicans to Meet.
A meeting of the Tenth Ward Re
publican Club will be held on Thurs
day evening next. Prominent Re
publicans of the city and county viii
attend and addresses will be made
All Republicans are invited to at
tend.