Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29
DRINK HEARTY!

Much time is being spent in Con-
gress on the beer bill and perhaps too
much. While it is important Il gisla-
ton that makes a change on a thing
that has been debated pro and con
since the war days, there are other
more important issues affecting the
general welfare of all. Something to
eat is more important than something
to drink for those in want
The eighteenth amendment TO the
federal constitution and the Volstead
act went too far-tOO drastic. If in
stead of trying to take all alcoholic
drinks away all at once after the war
beer and light wines had been left
the country would have Jared better
and there would have been far less
controversy over the matter. To TO Ks
of some natiOnalities good citizens )
beer is a national drink used like cof-
fee, milk or water by Othe. S. Take
coffee away from some folks and see
how they would like it.
Furthermore it is exceedingly diff
ficult to legislate morals. The home
life, the school. church, community
life and the general environment is
the builder of morals and good habits.
That is what builds temperance of the
right character The shall not" eat
or drink so and so by law is not the
real builder of temperance or charac-
ter. The law can step in when abuses
are too great and when the individual
makes it unpleasant for others.
The Senator Frazier bill for farm
retinancing at low rate of interest
is a matter of great Importance. 1t
is paramount for if made into law
would have a wholesome effect on all
interest rates. 1t would affect every
man. woman, and child who are now
paying tribute to the few. But for
Congress to try and pass such a bill
before the change of administration
on March 4th is futile. The senators
and representatives are still the same,
thanks to the lame duck session, and
even if the bill could pass Congress
folks do not expect that President
Hoover would come down from his
autOcratic and reactionary connec-
tions and sign such a bill. The beer
bill is also very likely to receive his
veto axe, but members of Congress
are taking a chance on that for there
was a voice from home in the recent
election.
Another reason for more Importance
being attached to the beer bill at this
inn j.. ,f ha. a
as a bill for revenue, to help balance
the budget The federal tax of S. on
31-gallOn barrel as passed by the
House. but yet awaiting action in the
Senate, amounts to &c per pint.
The important provisions of the
Collier bill are:
LegaliZes beer, ale, poi ter and lager
beer of 80 per cent alcohol by weight
Or per cent by volume.
Provides a tax of SIS on each 31-gal-
lon barrel, as compared with the ex-
listing wartime tax of Sc a barrel.
Provides federal protection to dry
states on the basis of the Webb-ken-
yon and Reed bone dry" laws.
Becomes effective 80 days after en-
actment.
Increases existing occupational or
license tax on brewers from 500 to
81 900 annually.
Requires wholesale distributors to
pay an annual federal license fee of
$50 and retailers $40.
Allows sale in any licensed, place
where such sale is not in conflict with
state or local laws.
Permits distribution of beer in bar
rels bottles, casks. kegs or other con-
tanners sealed and labeled.
Prohibits brewers from obtaining
licenses to operate in dry states.
Provides penalties for violations.
In addition, advocates claim it will
produce 300 million dollars annually
in revenue on a possible consumption
basis of 60 million barrels as con-
trasted with treasury estimates of 1875
million dollars to $50 million dollars
on a probable consumption Of 25 to 30
million barrels.