Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-06-26
FIERCE FIGHT ON
PROHIBITION WILL
STIR CONGRESSMAN
Washington Already Sees Be-
ginning of Battle; "Dry"
Movement Sure to Be Some
what Advanced in Nation
BY c. S. ALBERT
.niL star. Bullettn CorreEpondsnes)

WASHINGTON, 7 c., June 13.-n
seems certain that a degree OF prohi-
bition throughout the nation will be
accomplished at this session OF Con
Rress. Its extent remains TO be de
termIned.
Y The placing Of an impossible tar
on corn, rye and wheat by the finance
? committee means that no more ais
titled spirits can be MADE curing tho
war. Nothing has been done 10 nlnit
the output OF beer. The prohloltiVe
tax levied on all cereals used IN ais
tiled liquors Is $40 q bushel. In ao'
dition, O levy Of IS per wine gallon
is laid on all syrups thus utilized.
The strong prohibitionists are not
pleased with this proposition, which ID
intended as q compromise. They de-
mand the enactment Of drastic legis-
lation to prevent any whisky or beer
making during the war. 1t Is intended
20 graft this legislation on the rev
enue or food bills. The house Is tied
down by q gentlemen's agreement not
20 take up general legislation at this
session, which includes prohibition
Hence some indirect method must be
found for working out the problem
The finance committee sought to
save the $3.50, 100000 in revenue and
satisfy the prohibitionists. Hence the
I tax Of $50 q bushel on grains enter
ing into distilled spirits, leaving beer
without prohibitiye control The
committee permits the continued sale
) Of whisky now on hand. 1t 10 esti-
mated that this amounts to some 225,'
100000 gallons, which would keep the
threats Of many people well moisten'
ed even II the war should progress for
two or three years. 49, ( i
Proslts for Whisky Men /
The charge now II made that this
action means enormous profits for the
whisky holders. An advance Of s. or
more per gallon = assured, with tho
probability that prices may 60 to a
pauch higher figure. The prohibition.
lists declare this Is q gift pure and
simple 70 the makers Of wlilsky and
the contention is well nigh self-evi.
dent 8
For that reason the action Of the
finance committee viii be hotiy fought
In the senate and house. II IL de
sired to substitute provision forbid
ding the use Of any cereal In making
whisky or beer until the war IL ter
minated. In addition the supply Of
ehisky on hand would be redistilled
md the alcohol made available for use
By the government In manufacturing
ammunition. This. In effect would
bring immediate nationwide prohibi,
ton. At the same time II would wipe
out the great revenues which the Il
nance committed seeks TO save until
normal conditions are restored.
Fight Looms Up
The fight Tor prohi bition conse.
ouentiy looms fierce and determined.
Il Will prove an important feature Of
al 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 10 the tax imposed by
existing law on distilled spirits, there
shall be levied, collected and paid on
the material from which such spirits
are m1nnfnctured after the approval
of this act the following tax: On all
molasses, syrnps, or substitutes there
Tor 4 tax Of S. per wine gallon and
on all grain, cereals, and other edible
products and materials . tar Of $40
per buzhel Of So pounds: and every
dia(flef usine any such materials
shalt keep such records and file such
returns and bonds. ana the TAX shall
be paid q such tines hno N such
manner and subject TO such credits
as the commissioner Of internal rev
enue with the approval Of the secre-
tary Of the treasury may prescribe or
require;
Provided, That the distiller shall be
entitled - have refunded the amount