Evening journal., 1921-07-16
new BEER RULE
TOSOFTEN KICK
Brewers and Stockholders
Will Be Accountable for
Too High Per Cent.
LICENSES ARE
AGAIN IN PERIL

w WAH1lNGIOlNt II. Nsf July ~
Breweries are to be held strictly ao-
countable for all the acts of their
employees. as a means OF checking
the flow Of beer having an unlawful
alcoholic percentage, Prohibition
Commissioner Haynes has decided
Commissioner Haynes's order. TO be
made effective within a few days,
through newly framed regulations
now being prepared, reverse the
stand taken by Commissioner Kra-
mer and Internal Revenue commis-
sioner williams.
Commissioner Haynes said brew
ers in many parts of the country are
deliberately violating the law and
risking forfeiture Of their licenses
by manufacturing and selling beer
greatly in excess of one-half of per
cent alcoholic content. Mr.. Haynes
referred to the large number Of
breweries previously cited for VIOLA
tions who were able TO escape the
penalties that the law provides by
pleading lack OF responsibility, and
placing blame for infractions Of the
law upon careless agents or other
employees.
The rules Of law will be made to
apply 70 the brewers to stop this
prorniscuous selling Of beer that falls
within the class OF alcoholic liq-
uors," Commissioner Haynes said.
Brewers. under rules soon to be is
sued, will be held primarily respon-
sible for the acts of their agents. II
a brewmaster, either through care
llessness or wilful disregard Of the
law, fails to conform 10 the law and
the regulations. the stockholders OF
that concern employing him probab-
Iiy will see the license OF their con-
cern revoked.
I'VE do not propose to allow
lcamouflage in this matter, and those
who are financially interested in
breweries must be sufficiently
interested in their concerns
10 assure themselves that the plants
are being run in conformity TO law
BY the new regulations, now prao-
ltically ready for the signature OF
Isecretary Mellon and Commissioners
Blair. the new Prohibition Comnls-
sioner completely overturps the prac-
ltice of his predecessors. Just BEFORE
he came into Office about twepty-
Ave breweries. most Of them located
In Pennsylvania, were allowed to re-
surne operations after being cited for
violations After hearings ofhcials
ALLOWED the offending concerns to
nav fixed assessments and to reopen
their plants, with the understanding
that new adjustments IN the per
lsonnel Of the plants might minimize
the danger OF additional violations
It is now the plan OF Commission
er Haynes, as soon as the regulations
are made effective, TO conduct
, clean up Of the breweries by detail
ing trained men from his mobile
force Of operatives TO inspect the
breweries and their methods Of man
ufacture and distribution. specia
agents vii he stationed in a number
, Of cities where complaints have orig
j mated that beer higher than one
1 half OF one per cent is being solo
: openly in beer and soft drink sa
! looms
I Commissioner Haynes deciison Z
keen a better watch on the brew
2 cries, and more rigidly supervis
/ their output and sales, was reache'
- following a conference with Stat
E Director Mcconnell. Director Nc
% connell. finishing a two weeks in
Z vestiEation of the brewery situation
{ in Pennsylvania. recommends
- tightening Of the regulations an
for special details Of operatives fror
- the headquarters forces TO aid in
Il sweeping investigation Most Of tn
d breweries now running under fed
d eral licenses are located in Pennsyl
n vania-