Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-10

in bringing about the suppression Of
the business carried on by the brew
cry.
The investigation in which the local
league rendered such valuable assist
content as high as 4 per cent, was be-
ing manufactured and sold in huge
quantities, and placed on sale in an
open and fragrant fashion in almost
every soft drink parlor, pool hall and
bootlegging joint in Great Falls, with
out any apparent fear of danger. The
investigation further disclosed that
corrupting influences had been brought
to bear that the brewery might be per-
mitted to operate without immunity.
"The investigation also proved be-
yound a shadow of a doubt that the
reports made to Attorney General
Rankin and myself were correct, that
the floodgates of a brewery had been
opened and that it's product flowed
into every community in northern
Montana.
'In recent raids in nearby towns,
products of the Montana Brewery
company, with an alleged high alcoholic
content, were seized and certain docu-
mentary evidence showing the volume
of the business transacted and corre-
spondence in relation thereto with the
brewery, were taken by Mr.. Van Vert
and are being held for evidence in
future prosecutions.
I'm these Investigations, covering a
period of two months, a great num-
Der of samples of the beer put out
by the Montana Brewing company. in
unlabeled bottles, and referred to in
the correspondence as our new cereal
beverage have been analysed by a
competent chemist and in every in
stance, an alcoholic content far ex-
ceeding the lawful amount is alleged to
have been discovered.
1T is only fair, however. to state
that at no time has complaint been
made that the American Brewing
company was violating the law. 1t is
our belief that it is one of the few
brewing companies in the state that
has consistently respected the prohi-
bition law and respected its mandates.
1T was the intention of Attorney
General Rankin to personally conduct
the proceedings against the Montana
Brewing company, whose daring under
runner, moonshiner and bootlegger
appear as kindergarten stuff. But
Mr.. Rankin, being detained by the
Conley trial in Helena. sent his most
trusted officer. Major Foote, to rep
resent the office Of the attorney
general in the seizure proceedings.
Praises Ministerial Association
"About three weeks ago the opera
tions of the brewery were discussed
with F. A. Hazeltine, federal prohi-
bition general agent at Seattle, who
was then in Montana. Mr.. Hazeltine
is in charge of a mobile force operat-
ing in Washington, Oregon. Montana
and Idaho. Since then, / understand.
some of his men have been assigned
to make Investigations. but I am not
prepared to disclose the nature or ex-
tent of their operations. l know that
Mr.. Hazeltine is a capable and trust
worthy officer and has under his SUI
pervision men Of experience whom he
has selected with great caution.
"The Ministerial association. the
spiritual and moral guardians Of the
of Great Falls and Missoula,
have demonstrated that an organiza-
ton Of local citizens, guided by eau
ton and intelligent persons. and o
operating with trusted officers and
booze business an unhealthy one"
The seizure of the brewery is the
most extensive move that has ever
been made in this state against alleged
violators of the prohibition law, ac-
to officials. Mr.. Van Vert said
the local plant is the first brewery
seized in the state and as far as he
in the west. He intimated
vThurcdap niybt that fhere would DrOh-
ably be a federal tax, as high as
$500, 900. assessed against the brew
cry. if liquor charges are sustained