New-York tribune., 1918-09-08
Licenses Expire Then and
Won't Be Renewed,
Says Rupert
Sees a Big Drop
In Realty Values
$4,000 Drink Shop EN-.
ployes in Metropolis
Will Lose Places

Colonel Jacob Rupert, president Of
the New York State Brewers Associa-
ton, and William McClenahan, presi-
dent of the Retail Liquor Dealers As
sociation Of Manhattan, declared yes
terday that the ma jority of the saloons
Of New York would close their doors
sn October I. Colonel Rupert placed
the figure at 10000, out of total Of
$4,000 saloons in the metropolitan
zone.
Mr.. McClenahan estimated an even
greater number of the retail dealers
would suspend. AS a minimum figure
he declared 80 per cent at least, as
the number of saloons closing.
On October l the present licenses
held by the retail dealers expire. While
the food administration in its order
closing breweres set December 1 as
the date it should go into effect, both
Colonel Rupert and Mr. McClenahan
agreed the dealers would not renew
licenses in order to take advantage Of
the extra month allowed by the gov
eminent.
Leases Won't Be Renewed
Speaking for the brewery interests,
Colonel Rupert said the order to close
had come with such suddenness and
had been so unexpected at the present
time that he could not Immediately
forecast what the plans of the brewers
would be. The only thing certain is
that they will be most prompt and
punctilious in obeying the govern
ment's order.
"lt is certainty" said Colonel Rup-
pert, that the great majority of re-
tail dealers will close their doors on
the first of October. While it is true
that they can renew their licenses, and
then, if obliged to close, secure some
equitable adjustment from the state,
1t will mean, nevertheless, that their
money is tied up for a considerable
length of time, and few Of the men in
the retail trade will be anxious to make
such move
aside from the effect on the men
IN the retail trade" continued Colonel
Rupert, "the most noticeable result
will be on real estate values. Thous.
ands of stores in the city will be vacat-
ed on the lirst of next month. Not only
will the dealers themselves be unwill-
ing to take new leases of the premises,
but | am of the opinion property own
ers will not be willing to lease to
them
Big Drop in Revenue
'"The government will also suffer a
considerable loss. 1t is now getting
about S27000,o00 year from the State
of New York in excise tax on beer
alone. There are sold yearly in the
United States about $4,000 900 barrels
of beer Figured on the new tax of sc
barrel, the government will lose
about S360,0o0,000 year in revenue.
"Closing the brewerics so suddenly
will mean loss of millions of dollars
to the brewers of the country in ma
terials completely wasted The stocks
of malt and hops on hand when the
treweries close cannot be used fol
any purpose whatsoever. These stock.
cannot be entirely used fer brewins
before December l. because the brew
ers are not allowed enough coal to rur
their plants at full capacity. 1t j,
doubtful whether the brewers coult
use up all their materials before De
ccmber l, even if they were permitte,
to operate full blast"
Colonel Rupert doubted that tn,
brewcrles could open after the war
The machinery, he said will have de
terlorated. The farmers will not rails,
the barley unless assured of read,
cash market by the brewers. TIL,
malt houses will be closed, and it will
take at least year to get the grain
overhaul the malt houses, prepare tn,
matt, Iuc yeast ana Ln0 CdfDONlC aCl(
gas plants.
"ln tho meantime, our friends tn
prohibitionsts will not be idle" sal.
Colonel Rupert.
William McClenahan, speaking fo
the retail dealers of the city, declare
at least so per cent of the saloons il
the city would go out of business o.
October 1, without waiting for the bee
prohibition to take effect. On that dat
Av1I ~
renew them under conditions whc
will prevail after the first of Decem
Der, they will anticipate things b
closing their doors at that time.
There are $500 members of the Re
tail Liquor Dealers Associations" sal
Mr.. McClenahan. "In addition to tn
holders of the licenses themselves eac
men, making total of $4,000 men en-
gagged in the retail liquor business j
the city OF New York alone"
Mr.. McClenahan added that he di
not believe more than 10, or possibl
IS, per cent of these men would prov
useful in war industries.
Z. W. Felgenspan, president CT tn
United States Brewers Association, is
sued statement yesterday saving tina
the announcement Of this Federal au
thorities that the breweries must clos
on December l came as shock an
surprise to the brewing industry. II
added that both capital and labor a
we'll as the beer consuming publ
would naturally suffer.
Effect on Real Estate
In speaking Of the effect on req
estate, he pointed out that the Who'll
prohibition programme hurt almos
every class Of commercial and tnancia
institution.
Speaking for the brewers and t
the beer consuming public and a
others feeling themselves aggrieved b
this sudden and drastic step, / ga
that am sure that the President mus
be in possession of the facts maxim
this move necessary" Mr. Feigenspa
stated, ''and it is not only our duty t
comply with the order, but it is
privilege to make this sacrifice en- tn
altar of patriotism
Near Beer Placed