Evening star., 1933-06-10
Treasury Officials Consider
ing Proposal to Boost Out
put of DistiIIeries.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
With the country faced with a Dos
sible whisky shortage, Treasury OFF,
cials today were said to be considering
proposal to increase production by
6istilleries.
No specific reports have been re-
ceived since the liberalization Of the
medicinal liquor laws last month. but
DR.. James M. Doran, commissioner OF
industrial alcohol, said preliminary
surveys indicated there had been a
severe drain on present stocks.
In addition, he said, If the prohibition
amendment should be repealed. there
was a possibility that 1t would be sew
eral years before American distilleries
could begin 70 meet the demand.
Doran Predicts Repeal.
Pointing out the pressure the admin
istration has exerted for early ratifica-
ton of the repeal substitute for tns
eighteenth amendment and the quest
for additional revenue. Doran said:
"I can see nothing in the signs to in
dicate that repeal will not come during
the Winter
eff it does. we have definite prob
lem on our hands and I have recon-
mended to the Treasury that additional
distilling be considered shortly"
At the Treasury. it was said the
matter had not been inquired into
thoroughly vet.
Last month, when modification Of the
medicinal liquor laws became effective,
there were upward of 100000 gallons
of pre-war spirits in warehouses, be-
sides 5000, 900 gallons which will begin
to mature in the Fall.
Made Since 1929.
This latter amount has been manu-
factured since 1929 when a few distil-
lers in Kentucky, Pennsylvania and
Maryland were licensed with definite
quotas.
The normal aging time fixed by the
Industrial Alcohol Bureau Is four years,
so this is not available for use yet, al
though bottling will begin next month.
Doran expressed some doubt whether,
at the present rate of consumption, the
rate of production would meet even the
prescription demand. Whereas before
the law was altered a physician was
limited to a pint wek per patient.
there Is now virtually no restriction
upon the amount prescribed and the
physician does not have to specify the
ailment.
As compared with the quantity now
in warehouses, the Alcohol Bureau
pointed out that before prohibition
there was usually about 900, 900 900 gall
Ions In bonded warehouses and con-
sumption of distilled liquors ran some
years as high as 90,000,000 gallons.
More Difficult Than Beer.
Doran said that should repeal come
I this year there would be more difficult
situation than that presented by the
legalization of beer, because while beer
could be aged in a comparatively short
period, it required years to produce
good whisky.
Distillers themselves have approached
the Treasury with suggestions that the
restrictions be modified to permit meet
ting the medical demand and possible
repeal.
Almost half the whisky drunk before
Of the well known brands, was a recti-
this would be resorted to undoubtedly
If necessary for other than medical pur-
poses.
Ten States have already gone on rec
ord this year as favoring repeal and
Jouett Shouse, president of the Asso-
citation Against the Prohibition Amend
ment, has said there was a possibility
of 81 States voting before the end OF
the year.
Prohibition leaders have contended,
however, that repeal will be blocked
the Southern States.