The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1933-11-02

Specifically. II Is made to appear
that Mr.. Roosevelt already has anfici-
pated much of the trouble that will
arise after congress convenes in Janu-
airy. Certainly. the consensus here Is
that he has built hardsurfaced. all
year political road for himself as he
has gone along. He is at the wheel
OF the party truck and 1t is being gen.
orally predicted that the boys and
girls who want to ride with him will
have to stay In their seats or be
spilled.
The walls OF the National Press club.
that famous rendezvous of writer's and
those who like TO as
Liquor sociate with the
Question fourth estate IN
Washington. Is re-
plete with cartoons and sketches.
They are the work OF the best OF the
profession who present the Ideas OF
news and conditions usually. Among
them Is cartoon depicting beer keg
personifled. 1t carries the caption:
Don't make fool of yourself" The
cartoon was drawn just after three
point-two beer was legallzed.
But, while the cartoon was directed
to beer and beer drinkers, some OF the
officials OF the present administration
have taken the thought most seriously
In its application to the general liquor
question. AS result, they are now
engaged In studies by which they hope
to make 1t impossible for hard liquor
to make fool OF itself when II comes
back for legal sale. probably In time
for Christmas celebrations.
Under Secretary ASheson, OF the
treasury, tells me that 1t Is one OF the
most delicate problems with which he
has had to deal 1t Involves social
questions of far-reaching conse-
uuences: 1t touches vital spots In the
government financial situation because
OF the probable revenue from liquor
taxes and besides these 1t still remains
q political issue despite the over
whelmIng sentiment for repeal that
has been shown.
Mr.. Acheson pointed out how all OF
these questions were interlinked, and
that fact has not made their solution
easier. For instance, he suggested
that the committee OF representatives
| from several departments of the gov.
eminent were searching for proper
| tax level. RI the rate Of tax were too
| high. Ii would make liquor cost more
than most consumers would be willing
to pay. The result most certainl,
would be return of large number o.
bootleggers, from whom the govern
i ment would get tax only when Il
caught them. IT the rate were tor
low. the legallzatlon OF liquor. woult
have netted nothing, for one thing t.
be said In Its behalf, is that 1t will pro
duce revenue for a government sorel,
needing 1t.
II the federal tax rate be too high
also, there would be little OF the posi-
BILE tax left for assessment BY TIL
states, and they need taxes as well
Further, tax rate too high Woul'
naturally react against the sale OF tn
raw materials used In distilling liquo
and force those prices down. Such
rate obviously would hurt the farmer
who grow so much of the raw mate
rails.
Resides these tax questions, there
still another. Mr.. Acheson suggeste
that to ret the maximum revenue, III
committee is looking around to detel
mine what the difference In rate
shonld be on wines and beer as dill
tinpuished from whlskys and the higl
/, powered stuff.
Under the new amendment, the r
pealer. 1t Is hoped by goyernmeI
leaders that thel
j No End of can be a measul
] nil of control exercise
: that will rid Il
7 country OF saloons TO some exteI
There certainly is sentiment for di
rribution only In packages. Thf
! however, Is up to the states, but Il
e federal government nevertheless
q studying the question.
I Practical problems OF the liqu
+ trade likewise must be considere
r and there are any number of LEG
e questions that must be ironed out
e an example of the legal problems,
8 am told that while 1t Is natural to 81
J. pose repeal will take away the for
& datIon OF the Volstead enforceme
n act, there are nevertheless a go
e many provisions of 1t which can sta
n nv themselves. Congress had auth