Evening star., 1932-07-31

the President becomes paramount. He
could veto such modification bill and
then 1t would require two-thirds OF
both Houses to override veto. He
could sign the measure and bring about
the reopening of the breweries. This
would soon reveal the extent no which
unemployment could be relieved.
Any lawful sale would, of course,
interfere with the profits and employ
ment of the bootleggers. 1t is estimated
that there are hundreds Of thousands
Of persons engaged in the sale or de-
livery of liquor today. They would
naturally be forced into other fields and
presumably the profits would be trans
ferred to other individuals who would
be lawfully engaged Whether, there
fore, the change would represent any
net increase in the money put into cir
culation and used for retail purchases
within the United States is difficult to
estimate, but it is certain that the
Federal or State authorities would get
larger share Of this revenue than
they do at present.
Soft Drink Element Involved.
The possibility that the soft drink
companies might suffer reduced con-
sumption and hence throw some OF
their present employees out of work and
tend to cut down the use of sugar,
and thus affect that industry, is all
pointed to as part Of the economic ar
gument that will have a bearing on
the votes of various members of Con-
gress. Thus members from sugar-groW-
ing States may find themselves torn
between the lobby of the vets and the
lobby Of the sugar interests.
The present membership of Congress
is on record against a modification of
the Volstead act by vote lacking 80
to 40 Of a majority. The December
session of Congress might see a change
of heart on this matter, but the preSl-
dental power would still be in the
hands of Mr.. Hoover till March a. If
convinced that the new beer bill did
not violate the ConStitution-and an
opinion from the Attorney General
would have to be obtained to guide
hinl-Mr. Hoover would sign the meas
ure. In his war experience he said
275 per cent beer was not intoxicating.
If Mr.. Hoover thought the new law
vent beyond constitutional power, he
would veto it.
If new President came into office
next March, special session would
have to be called to deal with the mat
ter. If a majority should pass law
WHICH IL DeueV6Q COIlSIlIuJluIldl anu d
new President thought so, too, a simple
signature would bring on the expert
ment. This could hardly be before the
Spring of 1888 So beer with kick
in it is not likely for lawful sale for
another year at least Whether the
depression will be over by then will be-
come secondary to the problem of get
ting needed revenues from the sale of
any popularity consumed article; for
even If times are better the heavy tax
burden will bring supporters to the
idea of a more widely distributed tax
and the thought of consumption taxes
is now being pressed with reference
to many articles besides liquors. Some
OF the States now have sales taxes and
there is talk of a Federal sales tax
Congress could not by law reserve
the right to gather in all the revenues
under the modification of the Volstead
act, but the chances are that the States
would not object to Federal use of that
source of revenue, provided the Fed
eral Government continues, as long as
the eighteenth amendment lasts, to foot
the bill for such enforcement as is
required.
Copyright 1922