Evening star., 1933-12-03
BY REXFORD GUY TUGWELL.

comes effective on Tuesday. II
Il has, for instance, to protect
those States which desire to re-
main dry. This was promised In the
Democratic platform. The platform
also said something about preventing
the return OF the SalO0n Dut " seems
to be generally agreed that matters re-
lating to sale and consumption ought
more properly to be left to the States
or localities for determination. But
the Federal Government cannot rest
on mere policing of dry borders and
feel that its full duty has been done.
There are a number Of other insistent
obligations which will have to be met.
There is the matter of taxation, for
instance, which, unless it is skillfully
managed among the various taxing au-
thorities may quite possibly perpetuate
the bootlegger and the smuggler by
compelling too high a price to be
charged. So there has to be some ar
rangement arrived at among those who
are expecting revenues fair division,
with a maximum which will not be so
burdensome on consumers that they
will resort to Illegal buying. Then there
is the matter of protecting quality. 1t
is not unlikely that present stocks of
old liquor may be "cut''-this is, diluted
many times, and the product sold as
first quality. The Food and Drug Ad-
miniStration will do what 1t can to
insure honest labelling, but the task will
be an enormous one. There are other
problems of a similar pressing sort.
And the question has been how to meet
them.
Numerous discussions and the con-
sideration OF various suggestions mar
rowed down to two: Procedure under
codes and agreements which would
bind the liquor industry: and the for
nation Of Government corporation
which would monopolize the wholesale
trade, giving distillers permits and
selling in accordance with the sumptu-
ary arrangements of the States. Some
thing of a rather drastic nature was
needed to further the generally ac-
cepted policy of encouraging the use
of wines and beers rather than Of
spirits; and to make use of the op-
portunity offered by the desire of for
eign nations to sell us all kinds of bev-
erages. Either of the schemes would
seem feasible for these purposes, and
in fact, a kind of compromise Is being
worked out.
Some supplementary efforts will also
be needed. To further the use of
wines and beers, their price will need
to be kept very low and their sale
be carried on rather freely. Ameri-
can beers are available now; but for
eign wines are admittedly superior to
our own and would therefore need to
be admitted with low duties, at least
at first, until our own wine industry
develops. AS it does develop, more
protection can be given. The Govern
ment is preparing to do some extensive
governmental uTOrk hOfh
ing Of wine grapes in various regions
and on the preparation of the wines
themselves; but meanwhile it will need
some nice managing to admit enough
VINE to encourage taste for a quality
product and yet not give over the
whole market permanently to European
winners. Besides, one of our presently
tormenting problems is the surplus of
agricultural commodities which might
be traded with countries like France
and Germany for their liquors
All these necessities argued for a
simple and flexible Federal mechanism
by which the Governments interest in
the trade could be protected A mo-
nopoly of the distillation, the import
and the distribution would have been
the simplest even if the most drastic.
The question of such a device has really
been left to Congress for perfection.
The status quo, until Congress can
enact legislation, Is being maintained
under the A. A, A. This was essential
even for the interim period. Most peo-
pie are not too old to remember the
kind Of influence the liquor interests
had in politics and the sinister ramifi-
cations which developed. The present
arrangement supervises production, goes
far to insure quality and to control
irresponsible advertising, as well as to
protect dry areas. 1t also prevents the
flooding of our country with unwanted
imports. But it is temporary.
The Department Of Agriculture has
interests. 1t is sheer accident that the
control of the trade falls under an act
intended as agricultural relief legiSla-
ton. the grains from which whiskies
are made are agricultural products.
But it is hoped that the permanent
control of the trade will be made inde-
pendent Of the department; otherwise
it might easily prejudice other and more
important duties. In this temporary
arrangement, this is effected by
presidentially appointed Federal Alcohol
Control Administration.
Obligations of the States.
As for the obligations Of the States,
these are somewhat different, less diff
cult to conceive properly, perhaps, and
more exacting in execution. The excel
lent advice contained in Raymond
B. Fosdick's book is evidently being
taken in some instances. 1t IS 10 be
hoped that the idea will spread. He
recommends, it will be remembered
State authorities-in effect, monopolies
of the traffic with power to dictate the
conditions of sale. This ought to serve
as an excellent weapon against the
bootleggers, allowing as 1t does for
cannot be lower than the various taxes
will permit, however, and the greatest
danger lies in them.
Americans have always been drinkers
of hard liquor 1t is reported. however.
that since the recent legalization OF
beer, there has been change. It is
greatly to be hoped that II such
change has occurred, the new regula-
lions in the various localities will do
nothing to reverse 1t. FiOrellO La
Guardia, the mayor-elect of New York
City, has said that he will encourage
the establishment Of public beer gar
dens and wine halls on the Viennese
model. I can think of nothing I
ldd IdtllcI sec OOilc CuIOpcdlio iin'c
learned some uses Of leisure which we
might copy; and this is one of them.
I have sat in open-air cafes in many
cities Of Europe, from the Seine to the
Volga, slipping beer and listening to
music. And have been in hundreds
of indoor cafes, as different as can be
imagined from the grimy corner saloon
we used to congregate in. 1t can do
us nothing but good to initiate that
feature of European life. 1t relieves
tension; it takes emphasis off motion,
speed and forever requiring hectic en-
tertainment; it makes for what the
Germans call genutlichkeit, kind Of
fellow feeling and kindliness Of spirit.
We could do with good deal Of that
just now And so hope the States will
not make too many rigorous restrictions
of purely negative sort, but will offer
more positive substitutes such as Mayor
eIact Ia Guerdia favnrs TT We really