Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-09
MAKING OF WHISKY
CEASES IN AMERICA
Millions of Bushels of Grain Now
Will Be Diverted to
Foodstufs.
IMP0RTATIONS TO BE SEIZED
Most of Distilleries Will Con-
tinue to Produce Alcohol for
Commercial Purposes.
IMPORTATIONS TO BE SEIZED
IBy Associated pres..1

N4SF1lNL lON. september e.-TO-
night at ii o'clock whisky manufac-
ture ceased in the United States, under
the provisions of the food control
law. and the millions OF bushels of
form Of drink will be diverted to food.
Importation Of whisky also stopped to-
night.
Just how much grain will be- added
to the food supplies as a result is not
deterninable, but experts say about
100,000.000 bushels are usei by tho
distilleries each year, Of which about
100000 bushels are used in whisky
manufacture.
Custom officials throughout tho coun-
try after tonight will seize all i'm
portations Of spurious liquors reach
ing the United States. Offlcers Of the
internal revenue bureau throughout
the country will see that distilleries
make no more whisky.
Distillers may continue manufactur-
ing alcohol for commercial purposes.
and many of them have arranged for
this work. others turning their distil-
leries into manufacturing plants for
yeast. vinegar and by-products.
STOCKS OF WHISKY
LARGER THAN EVER BEFORE
Stocks ot whisky in the country un-
doubtedly are larger than they ever
have been. because OF active prepara-
tion by distillers and dealers in antici-
patton of the law. Distillers have been
working at utmost capacity, and i'm
ports have been larger than ever.
Officials estimate the quantity OF
whisky in bond in warehouses to be
about 19oo00.000 gallons. Stocks not
in bond will bring the quantity on hand
| in the country up to about 5000, 900
gallons. The annual production of
| whisky has been about 116,000,0OO
gallons.
Stopping whisky manufacture, in
stead of curtailing tho governments
revenues. will increase them for the
next two years. officials believe. Coupled
with the operation of the pending rev.
enue bill. the withdrawal of whisky
from the stock already accumulated
VIII probably treble the revenues
within the next twelve months, as the
present law imposes a tax of s1.10 and
the revenue bill contempIatcs a tax
of $500 gallon. a stock of approxi-
mately ESQ. 100000 gallons has accumu-
the shelves OF wholesale and retail
liquor dealers. Approximately 100000
600 gallons are in warehouses and upon
that quantity the government will col
lect taxes IS it is withdrawn.
Few men will be thrown out Of work
by the operation OF the law. Distil-
lcries now running will continue to
produce alcohol for commercial pur.
Oh,
Upon this class of alcohol, with the ex-
ception of alcohol for denaturization,
the revenue bill would impose a tax
of s2.2o. doubling the present income
| from this source.
LOSSES WILL BE WIPED OUT
BY INCREASED PROFITS
There are approximately 700 distil-
leries in the country. of which moro
! than half are small fruit brandy plants.
The amount of capital invested in the
latter class is not great in the aegre-
| gate. The capital invested in the big
producing plants mounts high into the
millions. Officials here believe that
| losses will be more than wiped out by
the greatly higher prices distillers will
obtain for their product already man
ufactured. In the opinion of some OF.
fcials. whisky will be selling at SIS a
gallon within twelve months. affordins
distillers enormous profits. which will
more than compensate for the loss of
capital invested In plants
AT the same time the plants will con-
tinue to operate on an approximate 60
per cent production basis, making com
mercial alcohol. a tremendous growth
in the use of commercial alcohol Is
anticipated which in time may result
in the demand for n quantity of alcohol
at least as large as the present output
for all purposes