The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-01-17

crease from 169, ,51S in the previous year. In the metropolitan DO ice dis trict Q1ondon). however, there was an increase in such convictions in 1910 ov- CT 1909, and increases in twenty two out of the Seventy-Six county boroughs Barrow leading with an increase of 57 per cent, but this represented an in crease of only 146 in the number of persons convicted.
 Cofncident with the increased use Of tea and the decrease in the number Of public houses and convictions 'for drunkenness there has been a decrease in the amount of alcoholic EQuors of all kinds consumed in the United King dom. But there has been an increase in the consumption of beer and wines. The decrease in the consumption of spirits may be attributed partly to an increase in the price, due to raising the tax on spirits by five shillings in duty brought much additional revenue in spite of the falling off in the am cunt of liquor, consumed
 Great Britain's drink bill Is enor- nous. In 1910, according to the best estimate, it amounted to $7SS 023. .290, an increase of $12, ,210. S65 over 1909. The decrease in the consumption of spirits amounted to 1,S00,6S gallons, with an increased expenditure on account of the five shiIlings additional tax of s. 208, ,320.< The increase in the consump- ton of beer amounted to 535, ,997 bar res, with an increase in expenditure
 
 creased 1,26s, ,s12 gallons. representing an increased cost Of $5, TIP, ,5eO. In 1909 the average expenditure a head for spirits and beer was about $16.73, while in 1910 it was about $16.S1. It is estimated that 55 per cent. of the population consumes liquor. On that basis the expenditure person is about $50. 50.
 According to estimates prepared by the Board of Trade, the average con sumption a person of alcoholic bever- ages in the United Kingdom and the Limited States between 1905 and 1909 for wine and in 1909 for spirits and beer was as follows.
 United Kingdom, proof spirits, 0.70 gallons; beer, 26.2 ga Ions; wine 0.27 gallons. United States, proof spirits, LA gallons; beer,' 16.3 gallons; wine, 0.49 gallons.
 It is explained, however. that the fig- ures for the United Kingdom upon which these estimates were based do not include spirits used in the arts and manufactures and that it was i'm possible to make this distinction with reference to other countries.
 If increase in the cost of production is in any way responsible for decrease in the amount of alcoholic beverages drunk in these islands. the year 1912 is likely to see a falling off in the consumption of beer. In a petition presented to the magistrates at Staff ford Quarter Sessions on January 2 this statement is made:
 ''The coming year will be the worst by the licensing trade for many years, owing to the enhanced prices of brewing materials"
 Brewers of Burton-on-Trent and North Stanordshire presented the peti- ton in which they appealed for lighter assessment upon brewers to publ;cans whose licenses have been rescinded and who, under the law, receive compensation by the State. The court needed the appeal to the extent of directing that three fourths instead of the full rate be lev jed. The cost of beer, said these brewers, would be increased by nearly 60 cents a barrel, increasing the cost to the brewing trade Of about $10,- 050, ,O00.
 According to the brewers the price of hops is almost double that of a year ago, and both la ley and malt are dearer Hops bought last year for $e0 a hundredweight. Barley has in creased 15 to 20 per cent. It is ad mitted, however, that the prices would not be raised to the retailer. The brewers hope to lower their charges by asking the. courts not to levy the full rate for compensation of those whose licenses have been taken away. The effect on brewery stock is mark ed As one financial writer puts it, brewery shares have been out of fash ion since the increased taxation came into force