The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1921-08-26
New Wet Scheme
To Regain Power
Suggest Gigantic Bribe in Form of
Saloon License Revenue

The latest scheme to restore the
outlawcd liquor traffic is outlined III
the current number oil the Champion
of Fair Play 1t is based on the old
fallacy that government can become
rich by making its citizens poor. \
part of the scheme and the most i'm
portant part is tho rc-establishment
of licensed liquor saloons Ever
since America went dry it has been
common. almost universal, COM
|, ment that no matter what else may
happen the American Saloon is dead
forever. But the liquor traffic is not
ready to give up hope OF re-opening
licensed liquor saloons. as is set forth
in the following article from their
official paper:
"A movement asking Congress TO
shift burdensome taxes from the peo-
pie to non-alcoholic beer has been
started throughout the country. Con-
gress is urged to have the revenue
bill provide for the manufacture and
sale OF beer containing rs per cent
alcohol and in that way raise from
81 900, 100000 to ,250,000,000 in taxes.
and the proposition is being seriously
considered.
"A serious effort has been made to
get Prohibitionsts to agree TO a tax
of $40 per barrel on notwithstanding
cereal beverages containing not more
than pa per cent OF alcohol by
weight
Would Not Violate Amendment
"The suggested legislation, it is ar
gued, would not violate the spirit OF
the Eighteenth Amendment but in
effect. amend the Nolstead Act by
killing the provision prohibiting the
manufacture OF beer with an alcoholic
content in excess of one-balf OF | per
cert. A bill. or an amendment to that
effect, will be introduced in the House
to be considered when the regular
revenue bill is taken up.
practical experts have estimated
that between 90.000,000 and 100000
900 barrels OF beer would be consumed
if it contained 234 per cent OF alcohol.
And this enormous revenue could
be increased and the trade we'll regn-
lated it the United States government
would have sole control OF the taxing
OF beer and light wines.
"ln addition to the above proposed
tax of $40 per barrel (Which is too
high) a tax OF. say 81 per gallon on
wines. or Is per cent would not be
considered out OF the way.
"Then let the government issue IL
censes for the sale OF beer and light
wines. under the following restric-
tions:
"First-Linit the number OF licenses
to the population OF the city. town
or village.
"Second-That license court with
one judge be established. who would
consider the character OF each appli-
cant. who must be an American citi-
zen and the sole owner OF the store,
to be licensed as per the Pennsyl-
vania law.
"Third--A license fee OF not less
than 81 600 be charged TO be collected
by Uncle Sam. two-thirds OF which TO
be returned to the municipal govern
ment who shall make all laws regu-
lating the conduct OF said liquor
stores, as per the New York law.
"This would give local self govern
ment sor the sale OF wine and beer.
"Fourth--That the state Prohibition
director would have charge of en-
forcing the laws.
For the first conviction OF the vio-
lation OF the law 800 fine, for the
second violation 5000 fine and the
suspension of the license for 80 days.
For conviction OF the third violation
the forfeiting of the bond, severe
hiiS oid pl ioOiiliiCHl dllu Tie 1eNOk-
ing of the license. never to be again
granted to the offender. nor for one
year to the building occupied by him
as such liquor store
"The strict enforcement of these
rules would place the business in a |
safe and sound position, take il out
OF politics and prevent all undesir-
ables from engaging therein. and the
government both national and mu-
nicipal, would receive handsome
revenue therefrom. This is the idea
advanced by the thinking members
OF Congress today"
This wet proposal as outlined BY
the Champion Of Fair Play would !
mean the re-establishment of legalized /
beer and wine saloons throughout the
country. 1t would mean return OF
all the evils of the outlawed liouor |
traffic.