Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-06-26
Fierce Fight .eN >.
PROHIBITION WILL
STIR CONGRESSMAN
Washington Already Sees Be-
ginning of Battle; "Ory"
Movement Sure to Be Some
what Advanced in Nation
BY c. s. ALBERT


- (Speeisl STAR Bulletin Corrsspondsncs)
WASHINGTON, L c.. June 1S.--lt
seems certain that a degree Of prohf
bftIon throughout the nation will be
accomplished at this session OF Con
b eTess. Its> extent remains TO be de-
tefinined.
' The placing Of an impossible ta1
Aon corn, rye and wheat by the finance
Committed means that no more dis
titled spirits can be made during the
war. Nothing has been done to limit
the output Of beer. The prohiottiVe
tax levied on all cereals used in dis
titled liquors Is $50 bushel. In ao-
- dition. q levy Of IS per wine gallon
is laid on all syrups thus utilized.
The strong prohibitionists are not
pleased with this proposition, which 10
intended az Q compromise. They de-
mand the enactment OF drastic leg1s-
. lation 10 prevent any whisky or beer.
- making during the war II IL INTENDED
q 20 graft this legislation on the rev.
enue or food bills. The house 10 tied
= down by q gentlemen's agreement not
. 70 take up general legislation at this
= session, which includes prohibition
. Hence some indirect method must be
found for working out the problem.
2 The finance committee sought to
) save the S350, 000, 900 in revenue and
: satisfy the prohibitionists. Hence the
: tax Of $50 q bushel on grains enter
ing into distilled spirits. leaving beer
i without prohibitiye control. The
committee permits the continued sale
/, Of whisky now on hand. II 10 esti-
!, mated that this amounts 70 some 1885,
I. coo, 0Oe gallons, which would keep the
throats OF many people well moisten-
ed even n the war should progress for
!, two or three years. 4
! pfoflts for Whisky Men
: The charge now Is made that this
action means enormous profits for the
!, whisky holders. An advance Of S. or
more per gallon II assured. with tho
|. probability that prices may 60 to a
!, rauch higher figure. The prohibition.
!. lists declare this 10 q gift pure and
simple 70 the makers Of whisky and
the contention 70 well nigh self.eyi.
dent.
For that reason the action OF the
finance committee will be hotly fought
In the senate and house. II 10 de
sired 70 substitute provision forbid
ding the use Of any cereal IN making
whisky, or beer until the war 10 ter.
mindtet. In addition the supply of
bhisky on hand would be redisfilled
and the alcohol made available for use
~ the government In manufacturing
ammunition. This. In effect, would
bring immediate nationwide prohibi
J ton. AT the same time Il would wipe
{ out the great revenues which the n |
nance committee seeks to save until |
normal conditions are rertorcd.
Fight Looms Up
The fight for prohibition eonse-
o1eutly looms fierce and determined. |
Il win prove en- important feature OF |
ell revenue and food legislation. The
amendment to the revenue laws
adopted BY the senate finance commit |
tee. designed to solve the prohibition |
problem BY q compromise follow
In addition 70 the tax imposed BY
existing law on distilled spirits, there |
shall be levied. collected and paid on |
the material from which such spirits |
are manufactured after the approval |
Of this act the following tax: On all |
molasse6. Eyrups, or substitutes there |
Tor tax Of IS per wine gallon and |
on ali grain, cereals. and other edible |
products and materials q tax Of $40 |
per bushel Of Sc pounds; and every |
cistiIlef using any such materials |
shah keep such records and file such |
returns and bonds, and the tax shall |
be paid at such times and IN such
manner. and subject TO such credits /
e the commissioner Of internal rev.
enne, with the approval OF the secre.
tary Of the treasury. may prescribe or
require;
Provided. That the distiller shall be
entitled 20 have refunded the amount |
o. the tar paid en- such materials /
when the spirits manufactured there
from are withdrawn free OF tax under /
existing law, or withdrawn and used /
exclusively Tor the Manufacture or
preparation of medicinal compounds; i
Provided further, That such spirits /
shelI not be withdrawn for export ex-
eept upon the application Of an &C.
credited representative Of nation
now &c war with the Imperial German i
government, IN which application Il
shall be declared that such spirits i
are Withdrawn Tor use IN furtherance
OF such war
This amendment has been proposed
by Senator Gore as partial compro-
mise. = -
No distilled spirits manufactured
after the approval OF this act from
grain. cereals or from any edible
product thereof or from molasses,
syrups or any substitute therefore
shall Be imported into the United |,
Statess Porto Rico. or the Philippine
Islands except for Industrial mechan-
ical 81 scientific purposes under rules
and regulations to Be prescribed by.
the secretary Of the treasury"
AMY npnEpc