Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-05
PREDICT 25C WHfSKEY
AND SMALLER BEER
GLASSES
MANY HARD P|NCHED
ONE DEALER KNOWN TO HAVE
rs BARRELS OF WHiSKEY ON
hAND-TAx TO QUADRUPlE
WHOLESALE SELLING PRICE.

Twenty five per cent of the sa-
looms in Ottawa will be forced out
OF business when the new federal tax
law goes into operation. whiskey will
sell at twenty-five cents drink and
IS gallon, while beers and other
by-products of the saloon business will
go up proportionately.
This was the forecast made last
night to a representative OF the Free
Trader Journal during discussion of
the effect the legislation enacted by
Congress will have upon local liquor
business, by man closely identified
with the saloon question in Ottawa.
THE rates will be so high" he con
tnued there will be no chance for
the smaller fellows to compete with
their more fortunate brothers and |
would not be surprised to see at least
one fourth of their number closing
their doors before the year is up"
BIames High Tax.
There are stored in Ottawa at the
present time a total Of five hundred
barrels or more Of whiskey. This IL
quor was purchased in anticipation of
the anti-booze campaign at Washing
ton and now that the buyers have it
they do not know what to do with
It,"
"Whlskey purchased at S135 In
Darrell lots will cost the wholesaler
$3.50 In taxes, making the final cost
Of edch gallon $4.65. BY that you
can readily see what chance the ga.
l0onman who has only small trade
stands against such a raise. One
man | know of has rs barrels of whis.
key in his store house. That means
total Of $500 gallons. That means
he now has invested $14,275 in the
one lot. He must get his interest off
that investment and keep it thoroly
protected against fire. You can readi-
1y see that he will have to sell at no
less than SIS gallon and if he does
that the saloon keeper will have to sell
booze at 25c glass. twenty-five cents
glass whiskey means less drink
ers and by that means the writing on
the wall in confronting many in OF.
tawa who have operated dram shops
on smaller scale
City officials are preparing for the
decreased income and when 1t comes
in case the Free Trader Journals in
formant is correct in his forecasts
they will be ready for the cut
Beer that formerly sold at 15c d
bottle is now at zoe Cheaper grades
have gone thru as similar raise
When the new law becomes operative
the brewerles will have to pay 50 ia,
on each barrel of beer they sell. Tha
means a reduction in the size of the
glass and an increase in the cost O.
every bottle sold across the bar
There is a 81 tax on each barrell now
and fifty cent war tax That vii
be doubled when the new rates be
come effective.
mo credit will be given on liquo
as that is regulated by governmental
provision SO you can readily SCI
that Ottawa is facing the prospects o
total dryness without any vote beinl
taken on the question" he ended.
No Cuts Vet
At the present time licenses are be
ing drawn up for fortyeight saloor
men in Ottawa, and it is understoo
in administration circles that all tn
men now In business, will appear b'
fore the council at their next week
meeting and make application for 81
loon permits
II falling off does come It Is g,
pected in April when the next r.
newals are made.