The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-11-03
by William Bruckart

Specifically, it is made to appear
that Mr.. Roosevelt already has antici-
pated much of the trouble that will
arise after congress convenes in Janu-
ary. Certainly, the consensus here is
that he has built hard-surfaced, all
year political road for himself as he
has gone along. He is at the wheel
of the party truck and it is being gen.
orally predicted that the boys and
girls who want to ride with him will
have to stay in their seats or be
spilled.
The walls of the National Press club,
that famous rendezvous of writer's and
those who like to as
Liquor sociate with the
n,,oeS;o, fourth estate, in
Washington, is re-
plete with cartoons and sketches.
They are the work of the best of the
profession who present the ideas of
news and conditions usually. Among
them is cartoon depicting beer key
personified. 1t carries the caption:
Don't make fool of yourself!" The
cartoon was drawn just after three
point-twO beer was legalized.
But, while the cartoon was directed
to beer and beer drinkers, some of the
officials of the present administration
have taken the thought most seriously
in its application to the general liquor
question. AS result, they are now
engaged in studies by which they hope
to make it impossible for hard liquor
to make fool of itself when it comes
back for legal sale. probably in time
for Christmas celebrations.
Under Secretary Acheson, Of the
treasury, tells me that it is one of the
most delicate problems with which he
has had to deal. 1t involves social
questions of far-reaching conse-
quences; it touches vital spots in the
government financial situation because
of the probable revenue from liquor
taxes and besides these it still remains
political issue despite the over
whelming sentiment for repeal that
has been shown.
Mr.. Acheson pointed out how all Of
these questions were interlinked, and
that fact has not made their solution
easier. For instance, he suggested
that the committee of representatives
from several departments of the gov
eminent were searching for proper
tax level. If the rate Of tax were too
high, it would make liquor cost more
than most consumers would be willing
to pay. The result most certainly
would be return Of large number of
bootleggers, from whom the govern
ment would get tax only when 1t
caught them. If the rate were too
low, the legalization Of liquor would
have netted nothing, for one thing to
be said in its behalf is that it will pro-
duce revenue for government sorely
needing it.
If the federal tax rate be too high,
also, there would be little of the possi-
BILE tax left for assessment by the
states, and they need taxes as well.
Further, tax rate too high would
naturally react against the sale of the
raw materials used in distilling liquor
and force those prices down. Such
rate obviously would hurt the farmers
who grow so much of the raw mate
rails.
Besides these tax questions. there Is
still another. Mr.. Acheson suggested
4loA ~ -.oA %Io mn vip,1u, ravouuo tho
committee is looking around to deter
mine what the difference In rates
should be on wines and beer as dis
tinguished from whiskys and the high
powered stuff.
Under the new amendment, the re-
pealer, it is hoped by government
leaders that there
No End of can be measure
D..LI.. of control exercised
that will rid the
country of saloons to some extent.
There certainly is sentiment for dis
tribution only in packages. That,
however, Is up to the states, but the
federal government nevertheless is
studying the question.
Practical problems Of the liquor
trade likewise must be considered,
and there are any number of legal
questions that must be ironed out. AS
an example of the legal problems,
am told that while it is natural to sup
pose repeal will take away the foun-
dation Of the Volstead enforcement
act, there are nevertheless good
rnnnu nrnvisinns of II which can stand