New-York tribune., 1919-12-16

his loss probably would amount to
+. 100000
The Kniokerbocker Hotel has stock
OF liquor valued at approximately
; sS50000. The Manhattan Hotel, with
others owned by the same company,
has stock estimated to be worth
100000. The Waldorf Astoria and the
NcAlpin are said to have s125,0O0 in
vested in liquors, while other hotels
have similarly large stocks.
To most OF the owners of big liquor
stocks the news meant an order that
they export their holdings or stand a
s big loss. There were numerous and
varying opinions among interested
parties. however.
William H. Hirst, counsel for the
New York State Brewers Association.
explained the brewers view at his Of
hce. in Is William Street. yesterday:
The wartime prohibition act was
passed November 2l, 1918. The VOL
stead law went into effect on October
%, 1919. In the former the sale of in
toxlcating liquors is forbidden. In the
latter. among other things, definition
IS made OF the Intoxicating liquors,
saying that those liquors are intoxi
eating winch contain more than IA of
per cent Of alcohol.
Still Hope for 275
"ln the case of Jacob Ruppert
against United States Attorney Francis
6. Cafey and Richard ]. Ellicott, Act
ing and Deputy Collector of Internal
Revenue, the question is raised. in ad-
ditlon TO other issues, Of the validity
OF that definition. While wartime pro
hbi;ion which prohibits the sale Of in
toxicating liquors, may be constitu-
tiona!. the determination of what is an
intoxicating liquor is yet TO be de-
cided. AS long as that is open, there
IS still hope that 2.75 per cent beer
nay be sold"
Il Is expected that the Supreme Court
wil hand down its decision in this case
next Monday. AT the time that the ac-
ton vas started in this city. Emory r.
Bgckner. of the firm of Root, Clark,
B-c@ner & Rowland, which brought
the sut. said:
We contend that 275 beer is not in
toxicatng and that you cannot make
hard liquor out of soft beer with the
aia o1 3 printing press
Ii ne Nolstead act is held to be
st'tl1lonal. members of the New
York Liquor Dealers Association said
city would be shut down. About S50,-
GOO barrels of beer stronger than n
per cent, valued at about $7,000,00O,
Will be left on their hands.
NO saloon,' explained one man who
had been in the business for many
years, can evxist on near-beer and
pop soda. Candy stores. and delicates-
sen lunch rooms will take up the trade
out there Will be no saloons. But the
ight isn't up yet, and we still have a
chance
Doom of Saloon Forecast
While the brewers and saloon keep
ers are anXlously waiting for a deci-
sion IN the Rupert case, William H.
Anderson, state superintendent of the
Antl-Sa DON League was rejoicing in
,he victory, ard was preparing to COM
Dat the efforts of the vets" to defeat
me measures. He gave out the fol-
lowing statement, last night:
The decision of the United States
>upreme Court upholding the war pro-
ni,lon act did not surprise those who
nave followed the decisions of that
court on liquor questions. 1t has not
given decision in behalf Of the liquor
traffic in fifty year,
In the light of this new decision the
ebuse that has been heaped upon the
Anti-Saloon League and the prohibition
forces generally for alleged violation
sisung upon the passage of the war
prohibition act falls fiat. With the
courts upholding of this large exercise
or emergency powers on the liquor
question, all hope that the Supreme
Court Of the United States will upset
the prohibition amendment or invali-
date the law passed for its enforcement
fades away.
Liquor Holders Called Profiteers
1T is most fortunate, as a matter OF
public policy, that the decision Of the
court quashes liquor plans for an un.
limited and terrible holiday season
nose who are caught with liquor
stocks on their hands deserve no sym
Snem TO take long, gambling chance.
iney had fair warning Those who are
plnched IN this profteering gamble
propa ally the most gigantic and con
scie hceiess one growing out of the
Whole wal-have nothing to blame but
.neir own rash cupidity."
Having sounded the death knell fol
the liquor dealer, Mr.. Anderson went
IN to discuss the future activities OF
the Anti-Saloon League:
Now that the liquor traffic has once
more learned from the Supreme Court
lIst where it stands, the efforts of the
tsa'hc viii be centered along two lines:
u TO elect Congress that will repeal
or modify the Federal enforcement act
"a state Legislatures, which will at
empt nulihcation by the passage of
so-caNed liberal enforcement laws; and
- 70 elect judges, district attorneys
erlHs. mayors and other officials
charged with the administration and
eniorcement of law, who will connive
a. Thus avs violation.
ne issue henceforth is not that of
nrohlb lion. but OF law and order. into
which the prohibition issue has been
merged, and the American people in
',nd 20 see that prohibition has fair
'nahce- When it has fair test, the
results Will satisfy the public and dis
pate all opposition except that based
e"nef upon greed or appetite"
League to Remain "on Job"
n conclusion, Mr.. Anderson said:
The. Anti-saloon League will do ex-
aetiy the same with reference to en-
'ofcement that it has done with refer
nee TO enactment. 1t will afford the
expert leadership and the basis of
union through which moral citizenship
can effectively support Conscientious
ssphS shac'alA. and through which this