New-York tribune., 1919-12-16
Bibulous Lose
Hope of WET
Holiday Feast
Decision Generally Consid.
cred Death Blow to All
Plans for Old-Fashioned
Celebration of Festival


Predictions Of wet" Christmas and
an oldtime New Years Eve for New
York and vicinity went by the boards
yesterday, when it became known that
wartime prohibition had been upheld
by the highest court in the land.
With something like $500, 900 900
worth of hard liquor in storage, under
government bond, in cellars and else
where, the city made up its mind that
the holidays were almost certain to
be as "dry" as last year's-possibly
more So
The "almost" was because of glim-
mering hopes still entertained by brew
ers and distillers that the same court
that killed their plans for big re-
opening yesterday will revive them on
wholesale scale within few days.
Constitutional Test Sought
The first and most substantial hope
Of the "wets" Is the contemplated test
of the constitutionality of the Eigh-
teenth Amendment to the Constitution
which made national prohibition pos
sfble. Representatives of the Associa-
tion Opposed to National Prohibitions
said this would come within few
hours" Attention was called to the
fact that the Attorney General of
Rhode Island had been ordered to make
such contest by the Legislature of
that state, and that the plans were laid
and simply had awaited action on the
wartime measure. 1t was further inti-
mated that the association might make
other moves along this line.
The second reason for optim ism on
the part Of the "wet" leaders, is that
the Supreme Court delayed its de-
cision on the suit of the Jacob Rupert
Brewing Company, under which the
consttutionality Of the Volstead en-
forcement measure is attacked. This
delay is taken to indicate a favorable
ruling, such as will make liquor of the
2.75 per cent alcohol variety legal
Saloons May Close Permanently
Unless this decision is forthcoming
next Monday as promised, however, it
is expected that not only will many Of
the city's saloons fail to sell their ex-
RSNSSO OAA AoSAAoo OA line, Out WILL C1OS6
their doors permanently. Keeping
open on the innocuous liquid known as
"one-half Of xer cent" they
agreed yesterday, was out of the ques-
ton.
But the disappointment caused by
yesterdays court action was not con-
fined entirely to those possessing ap-
petites for strong drink. Banks and
investors probably will lose heavily
because of the drop In value of nu-
merous securities dependedent upon the
sale, at least for q time, of the liquor
now in storage.
1t was estimated yesterday that the
amount of whisky in bond was in the
of $4,000. 600 quarts, val
ued at more than $175,000,000, without
the tax. Wall Street financiers were
reputed to hold something more than
whiskies. They had hoped for brief
period during which this liquid might
be converted into cash, in order that
those who had innocently advanced
cash on these wares might realize upon
their inve stment.
Cuba Now Chief Market
Now it is expected that nearly all. if
not all, of the bonded liquors will be
10du0u W 4laN ana az ouSI ~ ASCo do AAeAy
be obtained from the Cuban and Amer
lean resort hotel owners who are reap
ing the harvest Of gold once looked
upon as rightfully belonging to Broad
way. Large orders have been received
from France, but the bulk Of tho bond
ed goods will 60 to Cuba, according
to local dlstillers' agents.
Several securities also were hit by
the influence Of the court decision:
Wild trading in United States Food
Products, which has large stores OF
liquor in stock, followed news of the
action. The stock, which was selling
ceived, Immediately fell to 73. United
States Industrial Alcohol was not so
severely affected, losing. just two
points. The general list of stocks was
somewhat unsettled by the attitude OF
traders growing out Of the decision.
The decision was only the more dis
appointing because it was just the re-
verse Of the news that was expected.
Virtually every saloon and motel IN
the city had anticipated general re-
opening of liquor and beer sales. In
some sections circulars had been sent
out offering cases of whisky and wines
at holiday prices. Fleets of trucks
were ready to transport the case goods
from local warehouses to saloons and
hotels.
Hotels and Restaurants Lose
Many Of the hotels and restaurants
carried large stocks of liquor, most of
which WAS being held for just such an
opportunity as yesterdays news was
expected to give them. Louis Mouquin
is one of those possessing a big
stock. Now he ia unable to suggest a
means of disposing of it. He said that
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