The Washington herald., 1918-06-06
BEER BETTER
THAN WHISKY,
SAYS HOOVER
Brewing Cut Would Put
Spirits Exclusively in
Use; Dangerous.

Following a conference with Presi-
dent Wilson yesterday, Herbert
Hoover, Food Administrator, officially
announced that he was firmly opposed
to putting the country on a whisky
and gin basis.
Supposedly reflecting the attitude of
the President Mr.. Hoover declared
that if the brewing of beer and light
wines, which take about 100000
bushels Of grain a month. were
stopped. it would place the nation in
a graver situation than IL Is today
from the standpoint OF drinking.
He asserted that il the people OF
the country really wanted absolute
prohibition and leGislated against the
manufacture Of distilled liquors the
Food Administration could quickly
and easily stop the brewing of beer
and light beverages of all kinds. but
/ the Randall prohibition amendment in
the agricultural appropriation bill
would, in Mr.. Hoover's opinion
/ force the Food Administration TO the
responsibility for an orgy of drunken
ness"
Spirit supply Large.
"As to the discussion over the sup
preston of brewing" said Mr.. Hoover.
L wish to say emphatically that from
strictly food conservation point OF
view ! would like to see the use of
foodsturfs suppressed in all drinks.
hard and soft. This is not. however,
the whole story. We stopped distilling
/ a year ago. There is a long supply of
whisky, gin and other 20 per cent to
10 per cent distilled drinks in the
country. We have reduced the con-
sumption of foodstuffs in brewing by
80 per cent and reduced the alcohol
| content of beer to 3-I per cent. II
We stop brewing. the saloons of the
country will still be open but confined
practically to whisky and gin
basis. Any true advocate of temper
ance and Of national efficiency in thesc
times will shrink from this situa ton.
for the national danger in II is greater
! than the use of some 10000 bushels
| OF grain monthly in the breweries.
IF the American people want pro-
hibition II should prohibit by legisla-
ton to that end, and not force the
Food Administration to the RESPONSE
bility for an orgy of drunkenness. 1t
is mighty difficult to get drunk on
S-4 per cent beer; it will be easy
enough IL we force a substitution Of
distilled drinks for 1t.
The Food Administration has gone
as far as 1t can toward temperance
without precipitatinS a worse situa-
tion. II the American people or Con-
gress will stop the sale of distilled
liquors, the administration will find
no difficulty in stopping brewing"
The conference with the President
| followed the sending of a letter to
Senator Sheppard. leader Of the pro-
hibition forces. by President Wilson
The President said he had submitted
the question of brewing light wines
and beers to Mr.. Hoover for final say
as to whether the conservation
measures would be served by the dis
continuance. The President then
clearly indicated his belief that the
present status should not be changed.
Mr.. Hoover's statement completes the
argument
Hoover Writes sheppard.
The food administrator also sent a
letter to Senator Sheppard, saying he
believed the food act, as II stands,
makes temperance issues and food
conservation issues incapable of sep
aration. and In sharp conflict. The
act provides five types of operations
in connection with the liquor trade:
The immediate stopping of the dis
tillation Of liquor: the authority to
commander any distilled spirits for
redistolled so far as may be neces-
sary to provide alcohol for munitior
4 requirements; the authority to regu-
late or stop the use Of foodstuffs in
the preparation Of wines; the author
ity to regulate the use of foodstuffs
in brewing beers: the authority to
prohibit the use Of foodstuffs entirely
in brewing.
Distillation stopped September
10, but Mr.. Hoover says there was
in stock between two and three
years supply of whisky. brandy
gin. "and this stock Is in course
Of distribution, as the act provides
only for the stoppage OF new sup
plies" Mr.. Hoover says the Wal
Industries Board has found M
necessity for communicating dis
titled spirits for rehabilitation int
lmuuitfons aleohol Commerchl al.