The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1916-12-05
AUGUST A. BUSCH
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an authorized interview, August A.
Busch, president and principal owner
of the Anheuser- Busch Brewing Asso-
citation, outlines a comprehensive pro-
gram for eounteracting the prohibi-
ton sentiment which has grown so
rapidly in recent years that, teritorily,
S5 per cent of the United States is dry
by prohibitory or local option laws,
and AZ per cent of the population lives
in dry territory. He suggested:
l. A strict enforcement by State
authorities of all excise laws.
2. The establishment throughout the
country of the German saloon sys-
tenn, which permits only beers, light
wines and temperate drinks to be sold
in dram shops.
3. Cooperation by brewers with the
State authorities to put out of busi-
ness every saloon keeper who does
not obey the excise laws.
4. Abolition of treating in saloons,
to discourage drinking to excess.
5. Discontinuance of bars in sa-
looms, all service to be given at tables,
at which customers will be seated.
One Request of Gardner
Il have but one request upon Gov
ernor Frederick d. Gardner" Busch
said to the reporter. THAT is this: If
the new Governor wishes to do me the
greatest possible favor he will ap-
point the strictest excise commits
sioner he can find-a commissioner
who will enforce the excise laws to
the letter and tolerate no violation of
them."
ITO what do you attribute the
growth of the prohibition sentiment?"
the reporter asked.
ITO the violation of the law by sa-
loons," Mr.. Busch answered. 'Unques-
tionably the prohibition sentiment is
directed against the saloon. Not all
saloons violate the law, but the law
abiding saloon keeper is the victim
of the law-violating saloon keeper.
"A liberal excise commissioner
one who does not enforce the law
strictly-does more harm to the brew
ing interests than one who rigidly en-
forces the law. We want the law
enforced.
1T is my belief that the ultimate
outcome of the prohibition sentiment
in this country will be the establish
ment OF the German saloon system" :"
Busch continued "In Germany sa-
looms sell only beer, light wines and
temperance drinks. There are no
bars and no treating. Many of the
evils of drink are attributable to the
treating habit A man goes into a
saloon to get a glass of beer. He
meets a friend, or group of friends,
and sometimes twenty or thirty drinks
are consumed. The treating system
ought to be prohibited.
II think the real remedy for the
drink question is education. By edu-
cation all the evils of drinking will
be gradually eliminated. If l forbade
my children from drinking, they prob
ably would develop a strong desire
for it, and get it anyway.
Warning to Cafe Owners
my father was very strict with
me about smoking. Every time he
met me he would smell my breath TO
see whether l had been smoking
The result was that l used to take
his cigars and hide myself away and
smoke until / was satisfied. Now my
family can have anything in the world
it wants in the drink line, and | do
L. fc 90 1u in Ar1an or
ica where there is less drinking"
do you think, Mr.. Busch, that there
will come a time when the people
will tire of prohibition and permit
the sale of beverages for consump-
ton in the home. but not in the sa-
loon?"
Il do not expect such conditions.
he said. las l said before, l think
the saloon, with the bar eliminated
and the sale of stronger drinks pro-
hibited, will not be Objectionable.
think that is the solution of the ques
tion. | do not think the middleman's
club should be taken away from him
There ought to be a place where
people can meet, exchange views anC
be served with light beverages. Peo-
pie would not care to transfer this
sort of pleasures to their homes
There ought to be an institution pc
culiarly for such purposes.
"And now." added Busch, in conclu
sion of the interview, "if | had before
me a convention of the brewers o.
the United States, | should say Il
them that if they wanted TO render
the greatest possible service to theil
own interests they would insist upor
the strict enforcement of the dram
shop laws and cooperate with the
proper authorities in closing ever!
saloon that has not been conducted
strictly according 10 laws"
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