The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-08-31

In accordance with the provisions
of the Food Bill recently passed by
Congress the manufacture OF whisky
must cease after / o'clock on the
night of Saturday, September s. The
exact closing hour was fixed in a rul-
ing by Herbert Hoover, federal food
commissioner.
The Prohibition section OF the food
control law provides that from and
after 80 days from the date OF the
approval OF the act, no foods, fruits,
food materials. or feeds shall be used
in the production of distilled spirits
for beverage purposes. The 80 day
period will expire at midnight, Sep
tember g. As this date falls on Sun
day. and internal revenue laws pre-
vent the operation of distilleries
after II at night on Saturday, the
distillcrs will have less than a full
50-day period TO bring distlling oper-
ations to stop.
1t is said that some distillcrs plan
ned to operate for the full 30-day
period continuing through to Sunday
at midnight Others intended to pro-
coed with the preliminary steps in the
whisky-making process up to the
final hour, and later complete the
manufacture after the time limit had
expired
Must Not Evade Law
In the ruling OF the food commits
sioner it is made plain, however, that
all steps in beverage alcohol distilla-
ton must stop at the hour fixed.
Corn and other grains, even though
ground up and in the watts, will not
be allowed to continue IN tic pro-
cess of fermentation, for the purpose
of being made into whisky. Many
distillers boarded up great quantities
of corn in the expectation that they
would be permitted to use up all sup
plies on hand before being compelled
to close down. The ruling of the
food commissioner makes it clear that
no such Interpretation will be placed
upon the law.
Many Distilleries Close
Many distilleries are making ar
rangements to close after September
8. For the time being no changes
will be made in equipment, operation
simply being suspended during the
war period Some distilling compan-
les will continue to operate for the
manufacture of alcohol for industrial
and war purposes. Others will be
adapted to other lines of production.
Even though the present law only
prohibits whisky making during the
war period investors in distillery
property realize that the complete and
permanent overthrow of the booze
traffic is near at hand Therefore
the presnt time is considered oppor-
tune to make changes in machinery
and equipment in anticipation of ma
tional Prohibition.
Clark Bros. Reorganize
The following news article from
the Chicago Tribune indicates that
Clarke Bros. & Co. of Peoria are pre-
pairing to wind up their large distill-
ing business:
Peoria, ILL.,, Aug. 27.-(SpeciaD-
The distillers of Peoria expect to be
forced out of business entirely by the
law prohibiting the use of food pro-
ducts in the manufacture of intoxicat-
ing liquors for beverage purposes
after Sept g. This became evident
tonight with the announcement of
Robert D. Clarke, vice-president of
Clarke Bros. & Co., distillers and rec
tifers, that they are preparing to i'm
mediately liquidate their immense
business.
This announcement followed the
filing with the Secretary of State to-
day of Incorporation papers of the
Clarke's Bourbon Company, the
Clarke's Gin Company, the Clarke's
Pure Rye Company, the Clarke's Dis
tilling Company, and the Clarke's
Rectifying Company, each with a cap
ital stock of 100000.
The incorporation papers say that
the new concerns will engage in
dealing in malt liquors and the man
ufacture of malt liquors and dairy
and stock foods"
Clarke Brothers & Co., through
the new interpretations. merely are
reducing their capital stock $500. .000."
Clarke said tonight. Each of these
subsidiary corporations is taking over
some branch OF the Clarke business