Evening star., 1933-12-17
FRENCH RUM QUOTA
AWAITING WORD ON
TRADE CONCESSION
U. S. Holding AIoof From Ac-
cord Until Action on U. S.
Farm Exports.
TARIFF INCREASE PLAN
THREATENED COMPACT
Negotiations With Ireland Pro-
ceed More Amicably as Figure
Is Reported Increased.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
The United States held aloof last
night from any formal agreement with
France on liquor quotas until it had
learned the extent of concessions re-
ported to have been made by the
French government in its American
agricultural product tariff rates.
At the same time Chairman Dough-
ton of the House Ways and Means
Committee announced, after leaving
The White House, that the liquor tax
bill would be rushed ahead of the
regular revenue measures.
Previous word that the French
minister of agriculture intended to
announce substantial increases in
tariffs on American apples, pears and
lard were viewed as definitely threaten
ing consummation of the compact for
an increased win-farm product trade be-
tween the two nations.
The French concessions will be sub
jected to the scrutiny of the American
Committee of Two which drew up the
original four month liquor import
quota figures. While diplomatic ne
gotiations normally are conducted
through the State Department, the
liquor import question has been left to
representatives of the Agricultural Ad-
justment Administration and the newly
formed Federal Alcohol Control Ad-
ministration.
Gables for Details.
Acting Secretary of State Phillips,
even before word of the French con-
cessions was received, said no final set
tlement would be made until the tariff
question was cleared away. The State
Department earlier had cabled the en-
bassy at Paris for details on the pro-
posed increased tariff on the American
farm products.
The situation was further confused
by the fact that the Federal Alcohol
Control Administration Friday an
nounced an accord had been reached
which would result in a substantial
increase" above the four month import
quota for French wines.
In light of developments yesterday,
this accord apparently had not reached
the signature stage when the French
tariff complications arose to endanger
the agreement.
With this lacking, it was pointed out
that it would be simple for the United
States to withdraw from the negotia-
tons at this stage should the threat
of high tariffs against the American
products materialiZe.
The French embassy here did not
evidence concern over the outcome.
Spokesman indicated a belief that
American products still would find a
good market in France despite any pos
sible increase in import levy
While the trade negotiations with
France appeared to be heading into
trouble, those with Ireland headed to-
ward clearer sailing. The Irish Min
lister. Michael MacWhite. was authority
for statement that his country had
received an increased quota. but the
figures were not made public by the
Minister
California Barley Suitable.
In the case of Ireland, the market
for American products was understood
to be more directly linked with the
liquor and beer export industry of that
country. California barley was de-
scribed as being particularly suited to
the manufacture of Irish stout. while
grains also go into the manufacture of
Irish whiskies.
Norway, it was revealed, also was con-
sidering joining the larger liquor ex-
porting countries in asking for import
quotas. The Norwegian Minister said
today the first cargo of akevit, brandy.
arrived at the port of New York, the
initial shipment under the four month
quota.
Liquor tax legislation, Chairman
Doughton informed President Roosevelt,
would be given right of way over gen.
eral tax legislation when Congress con-
venes. The bill Doughton said after
a call at the White House, would be
ready when Congress goes into action
January 8.
He predicted a levy between s21o and
S2.40. which would cover the total State
and Federal tax under proposed plans
revenue. This single collection system,
Doughton said, was favored by the
President.
The liquor tax has been described by
witnesses appearing before the House
and Senate committees as directly re-
lated to the retail cost of the beverage
and the closely allied question of boot
Logging.
The Government, to date, has indi-
Gated that for the time it would ad
here to publicity in its efforts to hold
retail prices within reason. While it
holds the power of price-fix in some
of the branches of the liquor indus
try, through the industrial codes, there
is no retail code, with accompanying
price-fixing power in existence.
Condemns Blended Whisky.
Price fixing is primarily in the hands
Of the code authorities, but Federal
Alcohol Control Administration officials
have indicated they were prepared to
step into the picture if the codes, mar
keting agreements and the State con-
troll agencies failed to hold down con-
sumner costs.
York in private life physician, joined
with another New Yorker, Representa-
tive OConnor, in condemning the sale
of blended whisky by drug stores.
OConnor yesterday said he would ask
for an investigation of such sales by
the food and drug division of the Agri-
cultural Department.
1T is an outrage" Copeland tcld
newspaper men. ito think that doc
tor prescribes for whisky and the pa
tient is delivered pint which contains
only two or three ounces of whisky
blended with alcohol and other ingre-
dents. 1t is an invasion of the rights
of both the doctor and his patient"
Copeland also said he considered 1t
a violation of moral law If not of the
law ITSELF"
The Senator said he proposed to talk
with officials of the pure food division
regarding an inquiry.
OF reports of liquor trust" Cope
land said he had a "StrOnP conviction"