Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-07-12

WASHINGTON. July S.-The foes of whisky
won their fight in the Senate Saturday
when Section II of the Food Administra'
ton bill was amened so as to prohipit
further manufacture Of distilled spirits
during the war, while the President was
directed to take over for the government
all stocks of distilled spirits in bond. AS
finally passed, the section allows the max
ing of wine and beer.
AS disposed of by the Senate, the liquor
fight so far as whisky goes. is a COM
plete victory for the "drys." but as it
affects beer and wine they were obliged
to capitulate to the "wets." The House,
it is believed. will uphold the liquor legis-
lation evolved by the Senate. In the bill
as passed by the House the manufacture
Of all alcoholic beverages was prohibited,
but the President was empowered to au-
thorize the making of wine to save perish
able products from going to waste.
The substitute whisky section adopted
Saturday makes it. mandatory for the
President to take over all stocks of
whisky. rum, gin and brandy in bond. but
stipulates that owners of the stocks taken
must be paid the actual cost Of them,
plus 10 per cent. All these stocks the
government must gather in when the
food bill becomes operative.
COST TO GOV EMINENT IMMENSE
In the debate on the floor of the Senate
1t was estimated that there were at pres
ent approximately 25oOOO,OOO gallons of
whisky in bond. If the government takes
this over 1t will entail an outlay of Is
cents a gallon. which is approximately
the cost price, or s1S7, 500, 600, besides the
10 per cent. margin allowed. which would
add 1S,750,00O. an aggregate of $685. 25O,-
600. In addition. the government would
lose the war tax levied in the War Rev.
enue bill of 500 gallon and the existing
tax of s1.10 a gallon a year. making $685.
100000 in all. The aggregate effect, there
fore. TO the government would be a loss OF
1881 100000 in revenue and in outlay II
buying up the bonded stocks.
WHISKEY AS USUAL?
But the section. as adopted cannot at
feet the removal Of whiskel from bono
paying the tax upon it. owners of tn
stocks now in bond may have the entir
reserve supply for the country's use afte
the new law becomes operative. So tn
nations war drinks may be beer. win
and whisky, as usual: only no more whs
key is to be made, and the price of tina
already distilled is expected to go ava
up.
The vote that knocked out whiske
came upon an amendment by Senate
Smoot. that the President be authorize
to take over all stocks in bond for tn
period Of the war. with provision 70
compensation by paying the cost to tn
owner. plus 10 per cent. Senator Smoc
had succeeded early in the day in gel
ting this passed by vote of 65 to 4
put back again as an amendment fc
the section as finally adopted. The vo,
on the final accepting of tho amend
ment was SO to "a. showing an unmi'
taxable lineup against permitting nm
whiskey coming from bond after II
passage of the act. With the Smo,
amendment and others that were embra,
ed In it before passage Section ~, as
now stands. reads:
THE REVISED LIQUOR SECTION.
Section H. That from and after thrt
days from the date of the approval
this act no person shall use any food
fruits. food materials or feeds in Il
production of distilled liquors. except +
governmental, Industrial, manufacturer
scientific or medical purpose. Nor shs
there be imported into the United Stat
during the said war any distilled liquor
Provided that the President of the I'm
ed States be and hereby is directed to ia
over for and on behalf of the governme
of the United States all distilled liquo
that are held In bond at the time this q
goes into effect. and he is hereby autho
lied to pay the owners of such
actual cost of the same, plus profit r
exceeding 10 per centum.
Provided, further, that the collection
all excise taxes ON distilled spirits In bo
at the time of the passage of this q
shall he suspended so long as this act
In force. and the distiller. In the eve
that said distilled spirits shall be TAX