The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-04-23
BEER IS SHIPPED
AS NON.ALCOHOLIC
Brewers Send Out Two and Three
Quarters Per Cent Beer to Test tho
Law. Revenue Stamps Are Denied

intended to speed court decision of
their claim that beer Of 23-4 per
cent alcoholic content may be produc-
cd without violating the food conser-
vasion regulations, when two Of their
number began distribution Of a brew
Of the strength specified in barrels
bearing labels describing it as a non
intoxicating beverage.
The kegs. sent out without revenue
STAMPS, which the collector had re-
fused. carried tags announcing that
sums equivalent to the cost of the
stamps had been deposited in banks
TO await the claim of the government.
Attorneys for the brewers, who ad-
viscd their action. declared that other
manufacturers, in New York and else
whccc throughout the country, also
would begin distributing.
The beer shipped here, from tho
Hoffman and Gambrinus brcwcries,
had been manufactured since Dcccm-
Der !. when by presidential procla-
maton, use OF grains for brewing was
prohibited, to be modified early this
year by permission TO make non-in-
tONicatinG. or near beer. which the
revenue department classified as con-
tainng less than Onc-half OF one per
cent alcoholic contents.
1t was expected that the brewers
action would prccipitatc a move by
the federal authorities intended TO
stop the sale of unstampcd beer. thus
bringing into the criminal courts the
manufacturers contention, already
raised in civil suits that the two and
hrcc-tOurthS per cent brew, being
without the scope Of the food conscr-
walton and prohibition status forbid
ding production Of intoNicants, could
be manufactured and sold, now and in
the future, undcr either the war time
or permanent prohibition status. in
compliances with the law.
The Slottman brcwcrics notified the
Internal revenue collector early this
week OF their intention to resume dis
tllbution OF the 81 per cent product.
This was the standard during the
greater part OF Americas paricipa-
ton in the war, under the food rcgu-
lallonS When application for rcYc-
nue. stamps was denied, the brewers
announced their intention Of rendering
payment to the authorities When
this was refused, it was decided by
The Hoffman and also the Gambrinus
concerns to deliver goods without the
stamps. and special labels prepared on
order of Elihu Root and William d.
Guthrie, counsel for the brewers Of
the country, were attached to the bar
Tels.
Washington, April lS In the alb
$ence of Internal Revenue Commits
sioncr Roper, officials OF the revenue
bureau tonight would not predict what
action might be taken in the case Of
New York brewers who today started
distribution Of beer, containing 23-i
per cent alcohol, claiming il to be non
intoxicating under existing laws and
regulations. The only action OF the
bureau 50 far has been to refuse to
authorize the sale Of revenue stamps
to brewers desiring to make beer with
this alcoholic content, since regula-
t!ons place at ono-half Of one per cont
the maximum alcoholic content for
Notwithstanding beverages, Of any
kind
BY refusing to sell stamps. the
bureau !nfcrcntially held that beer
containing , 81 per cent alcohol was
Intoxicating, but Commissioners Roper
has not ruled specifically on this point
since the question was raised several
weeks ago by the brewers. Before de-
Gliding finally he has awaited an opin-
ion by Attorney General Palmer This
opinion has not yet been prepared by
the attomcy general.
The revenue collector at New York
probably Will have to take the initiative
in any action against the brewers in
this case, il was said tonight by bu-
rcau officials. 40 Official report had
bccn received here on the latest phase
Of tho situation.
Everyone who expects to buy an Oil
stove in lhc future and everyone now
using any kind Of Oil Stovc should
come 70 our oil stove demonstration