The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-08
Industry Never Will Be Re-
stored, Declare "Drys."
Officially, Order Is Only for
Duration of War.
SAVE 40 MILLION BU. GRAIN
Can Complete DistilIation of
Spirits in Fermentation.
Shuts Down 900 Plants En-
plOying 5000 WOrkmen.

washington, Sept. S.-America s
distillerles, ordered closed to save
grain, were turning out their last
spirits today. At IL O'Clock tonight
all fermentation must cease by order
of Herbert Hoover.
Distillation of the spirits fermented
up to the last moment may be contin-
.ued until completed. No unneces-
sary delays will be permitted. The
government expects every distiilery
not duly authorized to continue work
for government purposes, to complete
the distillation on hand by next Tues
day
Kentucky Hardest Hit.
From one end of the country to
the other men are affected by the
drastic order over six hundred dis
tilleries and eight thousand men will
be out of business There are 202
registered distilleries in Kentucky:
165 in California; So in Pennsylvania;
A in Ohio; 20 in Maryland and Mis-
souri, and 20 in New York-tne states
hardest hit.
Altho whisky making in the United
States ends legally at II o'clock to-
night, whisky drinking does not end.
There were 232,404,S70 gallons of II
stored in warehouses at the last re-
port, not to mention supplies in sa-
looms, wholesale liquor stores and with
licensed liquor dealers. This supply
will last several years.
Never Will Come Back?
While the food control law under
which John Barleycorn is knocked
out, IS effective only for the duration
of the war. prohibitionists declare
whisky making never will be known
again in this country. They are con-
fident that with the experience gained
from the present war experience, ma
n h ri wi o
adopted by federal constitutional
amendment.
John made a hard fight in congress
before the knockout blow was admin
istered in Section 3 of the food con-
troll law. Herbert Hoover counted
John out in order to save about 40
OOO, 900 bushels of foodstuffs to fight
the war.
What will happen to whisky distil-
5leries is predetermined Some have
already announced they will go out of
business. Others plan to continue
making alcohol for industrial pur-
poses. Many may enter other lines
even making matted milk.
The law prohibits the making of
distilled spirits for beverage purposes.
Straight alcohol and denatured alco-
mol may continue to be manufactured.
There are about 700 plants equipped
for making alcohol in this country.
only about 600, however actually
have been making whisky.
Can Stop Beer Making, Too.
Hoover's order stops all processes
in the production of whisky at 1 p. m.
1.-THE use of foods, fruits and food ma
terials or feeds may not even be ini-
plated unless the entire process may
DE fully completed prior to IL p. m.,"
his order stated.
He did not give John Barleycorn a
single moments grace. While thirty
days from date of approval of the law
August 10-would be tomorrow,
Sunday, Hoover fixed the hour of
Johns demise at IL p. m. tonight be-
cause the internal revenue laws pre-
vent the operation of distilleries be-
tween IL Saturday night and the fol-
lowing Monday morning.
Two other dry provisions in the
food bill have not yet been acted upon
by Hoover. One gives the president
the right to commander any or all
distilled spirits If necessary for redis-
tillation and use in munitions making
or other military purposes. The other
empowers the president to limit. regu-
late or prohibit the use of foodstuffs
n ma