Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-08
70 ARMISTICE NOW
Sen. Jones Files
Charges Against
Liquor Interests

Washington, Oct Charges that
the United States Brewers assOci-
alton and individual members have
secretly financed newspapers in
the interest OF the liquor traffic,
contributed to the national Ger
man-American alliance, been con-
y.cted Of corrupt political practices
and improperly influenced state
and national legislation, were re
newed in a memorandum filed to-
day by Senator Jones of Washing
ton, Republican, with the senate
judiciary subcommittee inyesugat
ing loans by brewers to Arthur
Brisbane, in connection with the
latter's purchase of the Washing
ton Times.
In his memorandum Senator
Jones said neither the numerous
recitais in the resolution s pream-
hles nor any remarks made in the
senate were intended to limit or
restrict the inquiry. Every charge
made, he declared will be fully
supported by documents of Alien
Property Custodian Palmer and
the department OF justice.
memorandum asserts, will estab-
lish the following facts:
That the United Brewers asso-
citation, individual brewers and cor
poFations have financed newspa-
pers in the interest of the liquor
traffic, and deceived the public as
to secret arrangements for money
loaned, which in some cases was TO
be repaid only at the discretion Of
the newspaper owner out of the
profits Of the paper. if there should
be any profits.
That the United States Brew
ers' association and certain indl-
viduaI brewers who helped finance
certain newspapers advocating the
liquor traffic also contributed 10
the national German-American al
lance and financed the publication
of its official organ after the sink
ing of the Lusitania and other sim
liar German atrocities.
That the United States Brew
ers' association and certain indi-
yidual brewers and brewery cor
porations have been convicted,
plead guilty or noIo contendre to
charges OF violation of federal cor
rupt practices act and other Grim
inal laws and paid several hun
dreds Of thousands Of dollars IN
fines and penalties.
That the national German
American alliance was financed in
part by the Brewers association
and individual brewers and liquor
dealers.
That the brewers association,
through organizations whose iden-
tity has been concealed, such as the
so-called National Association of
Commerce and Labor, Manufactur-
ers' and Dealers association, Busi-
ness Mems association, Taxpayers
league, Home Rule and other or
Plantations have made political
surveys relating to the attitude OF
candidates for office and how they
could be influenced and controlled
in the interest of the liquor traf-
fic
Said organizations and individ-
uals also have encouraged the
starting of strikes in dry terri
tory and instigated local troubles
in shops and factories whose own
ers and managers favored prohi-
bition.
That the brewery trade and Ii
uuor traffic is pro-German in its
sympathy"
Documents in possession Of the
alien property custodian. the attOr-
torney general of Texas, federal
district attorneys az Pittsburgh.
Detroit and Austin, Tex. together
with the GeTman-American ALI
once organ and German newspa-
pers were cited as evidence by Sen
ator Jones.