Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-12-07
j. s. YIELDS CLUB
TO FORCE LOWER
PRICES OF LIQUOR
Threatens Use of Authority.
Imports to Increase Sup.
ply Contemplated.
COUGHING is PROTESTED:
DRINKING STRIKE URGED
Doran, Distillers' Spokesman, Pre-
diets Drop as Distribution
Difficulties Lessen.

BY the Associated Press.
Determined to bring the prices for
Whistles and other newly-legal potables
into easier reach Of slim pocketbooks,
Federal officials today contemplated in
creasing liquor importations to swell the
domestic supply.
The administration also prepared to
use as club, If necessary, its authority
over the prices charged by distillers.
wholesalers, importers, rectifiers and
blenders.
Although direct power over retail
prices were lacking, the word emanated
today from authoritative quarters was
that. unless charges to consumers tum-
bled sharply after the present immedi-
ate period of expected confusion, the
Government would WELD its authority
drastically to bring about what was
termed a better competitive condition.
Indications of official displeasure over
present high prices were numerous Rep
resentatiye Cochran, Missouri Democrat,
went so far as to urge a drinkers strike
unless quotations came down. Asserting
holders Of warehouse receipts were goug-
ing the public, he declared "s7 a quart
for whisky. no matter how old, is out
rageous."
Imports Authorized.
Tn the noatfar If ;prraar iyg ;ronorfe
10 enlarge the domestic supply, authority
already is out for bringing in a large
quantity Of Canadian bourbon and rye
tor blending and other purposes Blanket
licenses also have been issued to i'm
porters for immediate shipment into
the country Of 5000, 900 gallons Of spir-
its and wines:
In addition. negotiations were pressed
0day with foreign nations for increasing
their liquor imports into the United
states in exchange for increased impor-
tations by them Of American products.
Secretary of Agriculture Wallace dis
closed the first specific negotiation yes
terday in speaking of his corn hog pro-
gram. He said efforts were under way
to allow England to increase its exports
OF Irish and Scotch WHISTLES in ex-
change for that country raising its i'm
port limit on meat and other farm
products.
Price Cut Pledged.
From the private liquor authorities,
meanwhile, came assurances that prices
would come down. DR.. James NJ Doran,
former commissioner of industrial alco-
hol and now spokesman for the Asso.
citation Of Distilled Spirits Industry,
sale he felt sure prices would drop as
distribution difficulties lessened.
Doran said that as soon as his staff
was organized he would submit to the
Federal Alcohol Control Administration
a list Of distillers' prices. The F. A.
c. A. could reject these prices should
they be considered too high.
Yesterday. the first full day Of repeal,
brought few reports of untoward Incl
dents. compared with the riotous last
hours Of Reproduction. Citizens went
about their business in the score of wet
States somewhat curious about where
and when a drink might be purchased
at reasonable prices.
Distribution Blamed.
The high prices quoted in various
cities were said by Government officials
and distillers' representatives to be due
to the lack of distribution facilities
more than to q scarcity.
Expectant Of a chaotic condition for
several days, the Federal Alcohol Con-
troll Administration indicated it would
be lenient for only a short while
Repeal had widely differing effect In
many parts of the country and abroad
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