Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-07-19

Omaha, July lS.-To the Editor OF The
Bee: Leslie's contains an article by Cap
tain p. Lincoln Mitchell Of the National
Security league, Where Shall We Get Our
Powder" which Is highly interesting from
the standpoint Of preparedness. He shows
that for every two pounds Of smokeless
powder produced, one gallon Of alcohol Is
used. Many millions Of gallons Of alcohol
have thus been consumed in the manufacture
Of smokeless powder exported to the allies.
Captain Mitchell points out that the dis
filling industry In this country Is. there
fore, of greatest possible importance, and
government authorities have already sent
out inquiry blanks to distilleries as to what
quantities they could furnish to the govern
ment in an emergency. He also points out
that prohibition would practically destroy
the greater part Of the distilling industry in
this country.
While there 10 no doubt much truth in
the views expressed by him. 1t goes without
saying that 1t will be denounced by the
ultra pacifsts and the prohibitionists alike.
But there are many uses for alcohol or
spirituous liquors entirely apart from that
which Is sold for either beverage purposes
or for making smokeless powder. Take this
relatively small distilery for instance, pro-
ducing at the rate Of perhaps 10000 wine
gallons per month. and selling less than one
tenth that quantity within the state Of Ne
braska. Probably one-half Of the total prod
uct 10 used for other than beverage purposes.
marketed through wholesale druggists. sold
TO hospitals and used by manufacturers Of
havoring extracts, perfumeries, ETC.. etc.
Nevertheless this state votes in November
next on the initiative proposition, Shall the
manufacture and sale of liquors be forever
prohibited in Nebraska"
II that constitutional amendment should
carry at the polls. 1t would mean that the
Omaha distillery would have to close its
doors, and the product It has sold hereto
fore, (nine-tenths Of II in other states, one
tenth in Nebraska. would be supplied from
distilleries in the east. As shown by the
experience of practically every prohibition
state, the quantity consumed within the
state would scarcely change, but would be
shipped in from other states. either through
legitimate channels or otherwise. (The At
lanta Constitution Of June 80 records re-
ceipts in that city Of 1895 legal shipments
Of liquor during June, Is against 1851 ship
ments in May.) In other words, the demand
remains and 10 supplied from without, but
the manufacture and sale within the state
wsuld cease, the value Of our plant would he
wiped out for the sole benefit Of distilleries
elsewhere.
It Is not only destroying property value
without due process Of law, but 1t Is taking
away the earning capacity Of Nebraska
industry and turning 1t over gratuitously
to factories in other states.
Our plant Is useless for other purposes,
and the argument that it could operate even
under prohibition for other than beverage
purposes only, Is fatuous. With more than
half its business made impossible, there
would not be enough left to operate profit
ably. Denatured alcohol must be produced
from material much cheaper than corn in
order to compete. A. L. MEYER.