Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-05


Total of all liquors 2,256, 272, 765
These figures represent only that
amount of liquor on which taxes were
paid. Much home made wine was pro-
duced in 1914 some home-brew beer
and that there was illicit distilling in
that year is shown from the Internal
Revenue reports Of Illicit stills and
liquors seized.
THE comparison of possible produc-
ton in 1880, with tax-paid Withdrawals
in 1914. does not give complete pic
ture of the amount Of liquor consumed
in 1914. For example, while there were
only 52,418,430 gallons of wine with
drawn for the payment of taxes, an
estimate of the possible production OF
wine in 1914, based on the grape crop
of that year, shows that it was possible
to have made about 100000, 900 gallons
of wine in that year, and undoubte>S'
the additional 100000 900 gallons was so
made INTO homemade wine.
Production Only 80 Per Cent.
However, leaving out of considera-
tor the fact that more liquor was con-
sumed in 1914 than the internal rev.
enue figures indicate, the Bureau esti-
mate of possible production IN 1880
shows that only about 40 per cent as
much liquor could have been produced
in 1880 as was withdrawn, tax paid, in
1914.
Reduced to absolute alcohol content
the liquors withdrawn in 1914 con-
tanned 166, 1888, 681 gallons of absolute
alcohol Theoretical 100 per cent al
cohol).
THE possible production of beverage
liquor in 1880 contained 73,836,172 gal
! Ions of absolute alchohol
The figures given are considered to
| be a more or less correct estimate
based upon known facts that are avail
able to any interested parties and upon
reports and opinions Of those dealing
directly with enforcement of the laws
| The bureau acknowledges the weakness
of such an estimate, but wishes to give
| the public the truth, so far as 1t is
possible to ascertain 1t.
Statements made from time to time
that the consumption OF alcoholic bev-
erages is as great or greater today than
prior to the adoption of the eighteenth
| amendment are unwarranted.
I'm estimating the amount of spirits
that might be produced from corn
sugar, the net amount of corn sugar
produced in the year ended June 80,
! 1880, less imports and exports is used
| The net production was 887. TAT 900
| pounds.
Corn Sugar Generally Used.
"A survey of the seizures of stills
and mashes made by prohibition agents
reveals that the commodity most gen.
orally used by Illicit distillers is corn
sugar.
Spirits made from cane or beet sugar
are estimated from the amount of mash
seized, showing these sugars as a raw
| material. The same is true of grains
! and molasses. Corn sugar Is both
cheaper and more readily distilled with
more simple apparatus than is neces-
Sary in distilling other material.
Diverted alcohol renatured is quite
readily traced from permitted reports
and seizures. 1t must be remembered
here that Congress has made 1t manda-
tory upon the Commissioner of Indus
trial Alcohol to insure an ample sup
ply of industrial alcohol TO promote
research in the fuel, dyes and other
lawful industries; to place the nom
beverage alcohol industry and other in
| dustries using such alcohol as a chemi-
cal raw material upon the highest plane
of scientific and commercial efficiency
consistent with the interests of the Gov
eminent"
mo permit for industrial alcohol.
asked for In good faith and upon inves-
tigation shown to be reasonably neces-
sary can be refused. Only after an
overt act can 1t be Cancelled or re-
newal refused.
Diversion has grown less during the
last five years due to the increased eff
cheney of denaturants and increased
watchfulness on the part Of permit in
spectors.
"The lacquer thinner group offers an