The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-07-01

burgher who wanted his beer could 2
But its purchase was more or
saCtiOn, the price was high, and the
Now, scores of breweries are pour
ing out a food of beer which may
be had at reasonable prices, and
cash registers in thousands Of cafes,
restaurants, saloons and other places
are jingling merrily as the public
slakes its thirst.
Briefly, northeastern states re-
port:
Increased employment in brewing
and allied trades, and many jobs for
walters and bartenders
Revenues Are Welcome
Stable and badly needed tax rcve-
nues for state and municipal treas
uries.
A decrease in racketeering and
crime, elimination Of wildcat brew
cries. reduction in speakeasieS and
less rum-running and smuggling.
New York state alone has licensed
40 900 places to sell beer, and labor
officials estimate jobs have been pro-
vided for 100000 persons.
A state tax of 81 cents a gallon
brought in $335OOO in April, which
serves as a basis for estimating an
annual revenue of 50 000,000 Lii
cense fees are expected to add
$1,000 900 to this amount.
Business Is Helped
Nearly all lines of business have
been benefited" says John M
OHanlOn, secretary of the
New York State Federation of La
Dor
Legal beer just about has driven
the wildcat breweries out of bust
ness. Rivalry for control Of this
trade was responsible for many gang
feuds
The new state law forbids sale of
hard liquor, but apparently little has
been done to enforce this section,
which is a local police matter. Hard
liquor may be had, as always, but
less Of it is being drunk and many
a barred-door speakeasy has folded
up.
Bootleggers have cut their prices
on hard liquor. Running ale and
beer from Canada no longer brings
huge profits and smuggling by sea
has diminished.
MulrOOney on Job
Edward L. Mulrooney, chairman
of the state liquor board has been
given the job of keeping racketeer-
ing out of the beer business. He
was formerly New York City police
commissioner, and has varied on
gangs before.
Beer drinkers in Pittsburgh and
Philadelphia, always OvercroWded
with Speakeasles, are paying 10
cents for their beer now instead of
25. About half of the old liquor
selling places have been driven out
of business.
The Pennsylvania tax of one cent
half pint or $l.24 barrel brought
$555 .407 between May 5. when it be-
came effective, on June l. The
legislatures delay in imposing the
tax cost the state probably $1,00O,O00
Food Is Served
About 40 per cent of the better
drinking places IN these two big
cities now serve food. Unlike New
York, PennsylvanianS heretofore
had made their eating and drink
ing separate pastimes for the most
part. Some places rely entirely OH
beer and good food for trade.
Others operate legitimate reStau-
rants and sell legal beer on the
ground floor, and have SpeakeaSies
on the floor above for recognized
patrons who want the stronger
stuff
Another dodge of the former
SpeakeaSy is to obtain a charter
as a private club, which costs Only
S25 where state retail licenses in
the two big cities are $500. These
clubs sell legal beer and hard
liquor behind closed doors to their
So-Called members.
Profitable in Bay State
Brewers are required to buy bot
tie caps from the state, to make
sure the TAX is PAID.
Massachusetts received in state
revenue between April and June
II for licenses and permits the sum
of $l8l ,622, The state tax of ST a
barrel during the same period
brought in S73,74l, a total of $685.
1868
This figure is exclusive of local
license fees, which range up to $500.
The state director of statistics
estimates legalization provided jobs
for $500 persons.
BootleggerS have cut prices for
hard liquor about half ReStau-
rants and stores report increased
business.
Du Pont Issues Licenses
Licenses in Delaware are issued
by Pierre S. Du Pont. liquor COM
missioner, and multimillionaire anti
prohibition leader. under a law
based mainly on the Quebec sys-
TEN.
Delaware collected in tax reve-
nue.. up TO the middle of June.
1000, all of which came from Will
mington. Rural Delaware. hereto
fore dry. just has voted for licensing
under local option.
Rhode Island collected S125.000 in
tax revenue in sixty days nearly all
OF which went 10 municipalities.
Labor officials say return of beer
ID TT