The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-03-18

fine for the alcoholics. but not
so nice for dispensers of the stun.
The latter won't enjoy seeing a
heavy slump in the prices they're
charging at present. That's what
Harry Louries in Washington for
now-trying to head off the slump.
Reports the importers associa-
ton receives are to the effect that
the Nazis have confiscated astro-
nomical numbers of bottles and
hogsheadsful of wines, cordialS
and brandies that they found in
French cellars when they occupied
about two-thirds of the country.
France perhaps isn't so strong on
whiskey production, but Denmark.
Norway and Holland are pretty
good at it. Denmark and Norway
also distil plenty Of aqua Wte.
which is potent enough to knock
down a horse. And Holland has
worldwide reputation for gin. Per-
sonally I don't like the Dutch
brand. It's called Bols, and isn't as
dry as 1 think gin ought to be to
make a good fizz 1t suits confirmed
alcoholics. though. And if the Nazis
have been footing French cellars
it's reasonable to suppose that they
haven't overlooked Dutch. Danish
and Morse warehouses, either.
Our importers association isn't
particularly concerned as to the
alcohol famine that the ruthless
Germans must be creating in
France, Holland, Denmark and
Norway.
Bargain Prices
What worries the association Is
the prospect that the Teutons will
ship a perfect food Of their ILL
gotten refreshments across to the
United States, and sell EN- here at
bargain counter figures. It appears
that they've acquired more than
they themselves can drink up in a
long time, and the best guess is
that they'll be more than anxious
TO dispose Of their surplus to US.
to the decided advantage Of their
German American nnanclaI eX-
change rate And, inasmuch as
they got the fluid for nothing, they
can afford to let US have our share
of it at nightly attractive rates
per bottle or slug.
It's true, they can't ship across
the Atlantic. The British blockade
won't let EN-. But the presumption
is that they'll do it through Euro
pean and Asiatic Russia, to Vladi-
Yostok, thence via the Pacific.
The labels on a good many OF
Europe's containers Of liquors and
liqueurs are. copyrighted in the
United States by American con-
Germs. Wet goods received at our
ports in disregard to our copy
right-holders' rights can legally
be seized and poured down our
sewers. However. there's no pres
ent rule permitting interference
with the admission of stuff tagged
with uncopyrighted markings, pro-
vided the regular duty is properly
paid. And the importers associa-
ton takes it for granted that the
Nazis, having a shipload Of Ameri-
canly congratulated bottles that
they want to land on our shores
will be bright enough to change the
labels.
The association is frantic to have
this guarded against somehow.
Chairman Sol Bloom Of the house
Of representatives foreign rela-
tons committee introduced bill
the other day which seeks to &C
complish the desired result.
1t provides that container Of
some imported commodity, liquid
or otherwise. must be so labeled as
to indicate the country Of its con-
tents origin.
How 1t Might Work
For instance, If a German ex-
porter Of a French cordial, say,
wants to land 1t here, he must so
label 1t as to indicate that it's a
French, not a German product.
Thatll make our customs officials
suspicious Of it. They'll have that
cordial analysed. If analysis proves
that it's the same identical con-
coction that one Of our concerns
has a copyrighted-labeled monopo-
ly Of, it'n be recognized that the
ostensible labels a phoney, and
down the sewer that bottleful will
20 instanter.
But whether or not that system
will stand d court test is profile
matte. It will involve a lot Of
analyzing, anyway.
Anyhow. it all goes to show how
wide the ramihcations Of this war 8