Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-06
AN ORIGINAL PACKAGE
IS NOT YET DEFINED
Excise Board Trying to Decide
How Far Dealer May Go
in Sale of Beer.
What is an original packa geo

What is an original package?
The question has caused endless discus
slons among members of the excise board
ana saioonkeepers, who are anxious "a
know If there is anything they can sub
stitute for the "growler'' Attorneys for
brewery interests, members Of liquor or
CARNATIONS and individual saloonkeepers
have applied to the excise board for in
formation, but no definition of the term
has yet been agreed upon by the board
"One member thinks one way, another
differently. and much talk has been in
dulged in," said Assessor Richards today
after conference with Hugh l.. Har-
vey. representing liquor interests, land
no conclusion has been reached.
The board added Mr.. Richards. lis
going to stand by the order prohibiting
the use Of the GROWER. but we are anx-
tous to determine just how far the dealer
may go in the sale OF beer"
Glass Jars Are Prohibited.
Many saloonkeepers ordered glass
jars to substitute for GROWERS" hold
ing that the use OF the screw top
would serve to make them original
packages. but the excise inspector has
been notified to instruct the dealers
that the selling Of beer in such con-
the beer be put up in such jars at the
breweries, said Mr.. Richards, he pre-
sumed they would be construed as
being original packages.
1t is stated that sales Of beer have
so materially decreased since the order
became effective that local breweries
soon will have to decrease their work
ing forces fully one-third. Not only
will many brewery workers be let go,
it is stated, but the delivery service
also will be lessened.
1t is said that abolishing the ''growl-
err has not had the effect Of increasing
the beer bottle trade to any great ex-
tent. although some dealers report that
sales Of whisky have increased.
A saloonkeeper in a residential section
makes the statement that unless there
is a change in the method of dispensing
beer to househOlders the beginning Of the
next license year will see a big decrease
in the number of liquor places in the
city. There are 4O2 places in the city
where liquor is sold at retail and 12;s
wholesale places. Included i'm the 4O2
places are siAty-four hotels and seventeen
clubs.
Save Thousands on Signs.
The change in the method of advertis-
ing particular brands of liquids. it is
stated, has been hailed with delight by
some brewers and wholesale liquor deal
ers. For years they had been furnishing
signs at great expense, and doing away
with such signs means the saving to
them of thousands Of dollars annually.
Anti-SaIoon League people are pleased
with the way the ''anti-growler' resuIa-
ton has worked thus far, realizing II
may mean a decided decrease in the
number Of saloons, while on the other
hand the liquor interests will work hard
to restore their "growler" trade. The
latest suggestion from them is that
larger bottles will have to be supplied
TO take the place Of the pitchers and
cans.
But" remarked one OF the professionals
against the order, 1.-The use of larger bot
ties will not supply the wants of the
consumers. What the consumer wants
Is draught, not bottled. beer