New-York tribune., 1920-01-11
Running Down Moonshiners
New York's Latest Thrill
hfetrOpolis Has More Illicit Stills
Now Than Kentucky Ever
Dreamed Of


k,r and write his memoirs it would
,..e a valuable little companion
kook for NJ. Baedeker's CUBA" what
[;th cocktail recipes and other Sc
lets Of the craft. Both volumes
Eould have wide sale this year.
It,s 4 real opportunity for a pub
Esher. because after one minute past
o'clock next Saturday night there
IL going to be host of men COM
ID |rtent to write such a book, and
nth little to do but twiddle fingers
Lat have grown calloused from de-
rssing the keys of cash register.
There is one drawback to the idea.
yacationist who reads the me-
noirs before sailing might be infiu-
acsd by the chapter headed "Rec-
kasd Spirits" to cancel his pass
aIgs to Havana and start out to see
hmsrica first, regardless of the
Eghteenth amendment to the Consti-
|htion, but out of deep and proper
kgsrd for his own personal that is
say, physical-constitution.
+ Here's how, as we formerly said:
kectifed spirits, or so-called recti-
ed whisky, is simply raw alcohol,
10 young to know any better, that
hs been colored with caramel or
Fme juice, and, on rare occasions,
svored with small percentage Of
bal whisky that has gained ma
hnty and kindly disposition in
barred barrel in a bonded ware
ousa
liquid Fire
Revenue agents, whisky distillers
I'D saloonkeepers have no illusions
bout rectified whisky. 1t is fine to
Z snove paint and varnish. When
vallowed it is like liquid fire. A
sdre for increased profits, happily
b the rising generation, usually
Is inspired the rectifier to "cut"
high-proof spirits generously
dth water. But any one who is
urious about the effect on the drink
can be satisfied by digging out
be old high school physiology and
prning to the chapter that deals
ith alcohol and the human stom-
lsh.
The revenue agents who have
en charged with the enforcement
& wartime prohibition in greater
ew York, Long Island and West
ster County, and who are eagerly
nkng forward to the appointment
state prohibition agent who will
ake the job off their hands with the
went of permanent prohibition,
bow that New York drinkers of
primary bar whisky have swallowed
tis else but colored beverage al
aal for years past "Third rail-"
" call it.
Since October, 1917, when the
sdsral food control act, which
rbtds the manufacture Of bev-
ase spirits, became effective, no
alsht whisky has been made. In
s time the supply Of real, honest,
ssd-in-charred-barrels whisky has
but disappeared from the aver
parroom, except a bottle or two
the proprietor's private and in
adual consumption. Since last
'ooer all samples Of bootleg
!aos analyzed by the chemists Of
local internal revenue office have
"en to be non-beverage alcohol
y eoloring matter.
mat food control act, in absolute
'ofoidding the manufacture of
s!ass spirits, stopped the dis
o. whisky. 1t also, in theory,
yped the distilling Of beverage
A'''s' but actually there is no diff
80 between beverage spirits and
vsrage spirits except for pur-
~ Of taxation.
ne distiller sells it for bever-
purposes the government COL
. .ax OF ss.4o a gallon; but if
S''uiier should decide to sell that
gallon for non-beverage pur-
The tax would be only 1920
s'Ien. That is why wartime pro-
aen failed to prohibit.
,.nSerage alcohol is sold prin-
% druggists, manufacturers
e.nes, perfumers, makers of
vines and manufacturers of
such as vanilla, anise, pep
Glove, cinnamon, lemon and
u aavorings. The purchasers
.se permits and are required