Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-09-08
GOODBYE BOOZE
AFTER TOMORROW

WASHINGTON, sept S.-Manutac'
ture OF whiskey will cease throughout
the nation at IL o'clock tomorrow
night when the prohibitive clause of
the food control bill becomes efrec-
tive.
Millions of bushels of grain which
food officials say would otherwise be
ground up for whiskey will thus be
released for food. How many mil.
lions. no one knows, for the manu-
facture of alcohol for beverage pur-
poses is so closely blended with the
production of alcohol for industrial
and medicinal purposes that there is
no way of determining the exact
amount.
OF the 1CO.CCO,CO0 bushels of grain.
or whereabouts, which went into the
distilleries each year, about forty per
cent, experts estimate. comes out in
the form of whiskey and other dis
titled beverages. The remainder made
into alcohol of exactly the same char
acteristics as that used for whiskey,
eventually finds its way into perfumes.
toilet waters, bay rum, medicines and
to industries where denatured alcohol
Is used in ever increasing quantities.
Approximately 100000 gallons
of NL.skey are produced each year by
American distilleries. Production of
| 4, hn1 I,. hA
commercial and medicinal uses other
than beverages approximates l45,COC..
eco gallons. The manufactures of al.
cohOl for the latter purposes will con
tinuc as usual, probably in greater
volume and few of the larger distil.
leri:s, If any, will have to shut down
according to government authorities.
The class OF distilleries which will
be put out of business is composed
almost wholly of small plants operat ed
by from one man to half dozen men
located in California. Ohio and New
Jersey and producing brandy from
, grapes, apples and peaches. These
produce approximately 100000 gal
, Ions year. Those in New Jersey and
Ohio, officials believe. will suspend
operations entirely. The California
plants, II is thought, will continue tC
I operate, in part, for the manufacture
:. of spirits for fortifying sweet wine.
p Stopping whiskey manufacture. in
, stead of curtailing the governments
. revenues, will increase them for the
, next two years, officials believe. Cou
, pied with the pending revenue bill
? the withdrawal of whiskey from bond
/. will probably trouble the revenues
n within the next twelve months, as the
: present law imposes a tax OF $1.10 and
1 the revenue bill contemplates tax
of 1920 gallon. Stock OF approx
mately $50. 62C eco gallons has accum
, ulated in The bonded warehouses and
, on the shelves OF wholesale and retail
j. liquor dealers, approximately 10000.
I eco gallons are in warehouses and up
on that quantity the government will
D collect taxes upon alcohol for com
: mcrcial purposes, except alcohol for
= Decentralization. the revenue bill would
!. impose tax OF $3.50, doubling the
I. present income.
1 There ATE approximately 700 dis
tillerles in the country, of which more
: than half are small brandy
plants. The amount of capital in.
vested in the latter class Is not great
In the aggregate. The capital in.
vested in the big producing plants
mounts high into the millions. on.
Gals here believe that losses will be
more than wiped out by the prices
distillers will obtain for product al
ready manufactured. In the opinion OF
some officials whiskey will be selling
ut SO a gallon within twelve months.
aGording enormous profits
a tremendous growth in the use OF
commercial alcohol Is anticipated
which in time may result In the dc.
RAND for quantity OF alcohol at least
as large as the present output for all
purposes.