The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-03-18
NEA Service Writer


 Washington - A large majority of American citizens will be eligible for the new per cent beer right at the outset.
 That's what it is-4 per cent beer. It may be called 3.2 per cent beer in the legislation passed by congress, which is true when the percentage is expressed in terms of weight. But it has always been the custom of beer drinkers them- selves to calculate percentage by volume and so the consumer will think and drink in terms of per cent beer.
 The limit of 3.2 per cent by weight, however, will be the stand ard under which the government will prosecute brewers or dealers who exceed 1t. The Volstead Act is still in effect for such violators and the provisions of the old Webb Kenyon act will be used against those who take the legal beer into states whose laws continue to pro- hibit it.
 Under the internal revenue laws, federal agents may still raid any brewery which attempts to evade the $5 barrel tax and un- der the Volstead Act they may proceed against anyone who makes beer without permit or in viola tion of permit.
 Where? When? How?
 State legislators have acted so rapidly and are now so busy fall ing all over each other in the att tempt to get set for the sale of beer that no exact list of states al- ready so prepared is possible. But the most populous of them are either all ready or all ready ex- cept for beer regulation provi- sions.
 Among states which are cer- tain or likely to be in legal shape to accept the per cent beer on the first day are New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Indi- ana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Missouri, California, Maryland, Wisconsin, Michigan, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, Arizona, Colo rado, North Dakota, Oregon, Wash ington, Wyoming and West Vir- ginia. All but Ohio, West Virginia, Wyoming and Indiana already have done away with their state dry laws, while such action is ex- pected in the others.
 Congress doesn't restrict the sale of the beer in such states, although the beer act forbids is- suance of permits in states which want to remain bone dry. States are making their own regulations as to places and conditions of sale.
 Shipments Legalized
 The old Webb-Kenyon Act Is declared still operative, and the prohibition agents of the Depart ment of Justice will undertake to enforce it. This act, passed in 1913, prohibited any shipment of intoxicating liquor into any state in violation of that states law. By the drastic "bone dry amendment" of 1917 which pe- nalized any advertisement of or order for liquor in a dry state is ruled out.
 The Volstead Act will still "ap- ply to beer which isn't sealed and labeled according to regulations to be prescribed.
 The principle of national pro- hibition and the protection of bone dry states remains until repeal of the 18th amendment is ratified. al- though manufacture, sale and ship ment of per cent beer is now Ie- galized.
 The maximum penalty for vio. lations of permits under the beer act is six months Imprisonment and $1,000 fine.
 The old tax laws remain in eff. feet and the government will ex ert the strictest supervision ovel breweries to see that none evad, the $5 a barrel tax. Three o four cross-checks, such as thos on incoming grain and outgoini barrels, are to be used. Eacl barrel must bear it's revenue stamp Even the construction of brewer ies is regulated by the interna revenue laws.
 The tax on beer piped into bot ties is computed through a meter Federal inspectors are assigne, to regular duty at the large breweries and the smaller estab b lishments notify them wheneve they are going to bottle. so that al inspector may be present. There ar provisions for what are known a government tanks" The inspecto locks the top and uniocks the boa tom of the tank when the beer | in and ready to be piped out, aIlt f he locks the bottom and uniocl