Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-22

been doing quite well.
Changes Enumerated.
The following census figures show
these changes:
Value of Products in Millions of Dollars.
Fermented cereal beverages 442,l 50.7
Carbonated beverages. ....... 58.4 18l. z
Malt preparations. .......... 48.1 2o.3
Distilled liquors. ........... 206.8 49,.
Ice cream. .............. b5.9 S0l.6
mo figures available.
Relief of the present farm situation
Is usually given, by advocates of pro-
hibition modification, as one of the
most powerful arguments for the I'M
restricted brewing c. beer, but appar-
emily the case is grossly overStated. A
diversion of some 150,000,0o0 bushels of
cereal grains, out of the H,646,000, 900
bushels harvested in 1880, would be Of
some help, but hardly sufficient to turn
the scales. Barley crops have been
large enough during the last few years
to take care of all possible needs of the
breweries, even if allowance be made
for the increase in population and a
10 per cent rise in per capita conSump-
ton.
Some other fodder for cattle, how
ever, would have to be used in place
of barley, and the further encourage
ment of Investigation, it is said,
thereby might be a real help. But
here, again, continued increase in trac-
tors or other farm machinery and sub
Sequent decline of farm animals may
release acreage under cattle fodder and
counterbalance the benefits OF larger
barley consumption.
Barley, because of its hardness and
adaptahility, easily could be taken as
a paying crop by large-Scale agricul-
turiStS in the Semi-arid Northwest
While this might reduce wheat acreage,
it hardly would help the small farmer,
whose salvation is in diversif1cation.
Another angle to be considered Is the
effect of consumption OF cheap beer
land beer would have to be cheap In
order to help the farmer) upon con-
sumption of milk and ice cream. Cream
used for ice cream usually comes from
the corn belt and Northwest, where it
is an important source OF income to
farmers. 1t is to be anticipated that
for this reason alone those sections
are going to be strongly against the
unrestricted brewing of beer.
Hugh F. Fox, secretary OF the Ameri-
can Brewers Association, says he be-
lieves barley growing would provide
employment for some $4,000 people on
farms. This estimate is highly ques-
tionable. There are now more people
on farms than are needed, and more
acreage either under barley or under
other cattle folders would only provide
those who are left with opportunity to
increase their efficiency and reduce their
costs.
100000 Jobs Forecast.
The estimates of Mr.. Fox-that the
brewing industry would provide direct
employment for about 100000 people
against $4,000 before the war-Seems
more likely. During the period Of IL
years there has been considerable de-
probation in the value of plants, and
good deal of new machinery and
equipment would be needed, it is said.
Mr.. Gerhardt estimates about IS per
cent of the total value of plant equip
ment investments would have to be re-
placed, and for this new capital would
be needed. Two hundred million dol
lars would be necessary for rehabilita-
ton of the industry. For beer-making
equipment good deal of copper and
brass is used, and all that would mean
additional employment in the mining
and machinery industries, but how
estimate.
The help to railroads, it is stated
would be only moderate. In 1917 the
brewers estimated the industry was re-
sponsible for about $4,000 carloads of
raw materials. Beer in kegs or bottles
accounted for about 10000 carloads
Here again the revival of the industry
would be help, but not. it is con-
tended, major factor toward relief.
The trucking business also would
benefit, but how much it is difficult to
estimate. This would depend upon
whether the industry would establish
itself as a local industry or centralize
in centers such as ST Louis, Minneapolis
or New York.
How much employment the distribu-
ton of beer is likely to provide is pure
guesswork. Mr.. Fox says he believes
beer and wine distribution would give
employment to as many as 100000 peo-
pie. This is only a guess. because no
one knows how the beer would be dis
tributed. Most authorities are fairly
certain the old-time saloon will not be
revived. and that the distribution of
beer would be performed by chain
stores soda fountains, drug stores, etc.
Estimates Vary Widely.
To illustrate how widely different are
even the estimates of authorities on the
subject, the following table compares
the estimate of Mr.. Gebhardt and Mr..
Fox:
Estimated increases from legalizing beer:
Capital investments new
money ,.. '.'.''.. ~. s2Oo,ooo,oOO ?
bushels "a, ooo, 600 /?
Rye new market. bushels 1000 900
Corn mo new markell. ..........
Labor in manufacture:
wage earnerS .......... $1,000 100000
Distribut GSgpefs' etc'.... 1''sYOO 100000
Dispensers - $4,000 100000
All emnioved about IiOn00 40f 600