Evening star., 1943-07-06

some system OF unomclal or Volun-
tary rationing is In effect.
In Kentucky. famed for its bour-
bon and mint juleps, the State
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
has placed the limit at "a case q
week." but some retailers are allow
ing only a pint week.
Retailers In other States are re-
stricting customers to a bottle at a
time.
Supply About 4oz, 500, 900 Gallons.
Variations in estimates of how
long the liquor stocks will last add
up this way:
The Nations stock pile Of all dis
titled spirits in warehouses, the
Treasury reports, is something less
than 453 100000 gallons. That's the
equivalent of about $50 100000 actual
gallons, distillers say, when you al
low for loss through soakage and
evaporation.
But then you have to add IS per
cent for the normal increase due to
blending with neutral spirits. That
gives 402 500 900 marketable gallons
However, since no figures are avail
able on supplies Of neutral spirits
a war secret-it can't be said how
much will be available for blending.
So the 402 100000 gallon figure is
tentative.
Furthermore, the distilling indus
try has earmarked a considerable
quantity of young whisky to be held
back for distribution after the war.
Some sources put this amount as
high as 10000 900 gallons.
Last year, the Distilled Spirits In.
stitute reports, the Nations "ap-
parent" consuption was about 190,-
100000 gallons. At that rate the
present marketable stock, even If
none was held back, wouldn't last
much more than two years.
Hoarders in Picture.
But the institute figures there was
plenty of boarding done last year,
particularly Just before the tax
was boosted 81 a gallon. They believe
that about 10,000,0Oo gallons were
boarded.
They say, too. that If distillers
continue to limit released quotas to
about IS per cent Of normal-as
they say many Of them are now
doing-the stocks will last just 80
much longer.
Harry L. Lourie. executive vice
president Of the National Associa-
ton of Alcoholic Beverage Import
ers, says Puerto Rico and the Virgin
Islands represent a source of rum
which could reach three million
cases a year or more, if-and that's
a big ff'-shipping facilities are
available. And that depends on mill
tary requirements.
Mr.. Lourie says distillation Of
spirits stopped some time ago in
Scotland and Canada, and 1T Is
our view that it is not only going
to be impossible to increase present
importations from those countries.
but we will be extremely fortunate
if decreases do not actually occur
in 1943."
While more beer was produced in
the country for the year ending
May I than was brewed a year ago
81, $50 900 barrels, against 5l,347,-
000-consumption for the same
periods jumped from 100000 to
$500, 900 barrels. Stocks we're down
from 8,946 900 barrels to 8,704,000
Some brewing sources report that
20 to Is per cent of our beer is
going to the armed forces, with
corresponding cut in the allotment
to Joe Civilian.
CALIFORNIA; wine production go
per cent of the Nation's) was lower
last year than for the two previous
years, although it reached 10000, 900
gallons. Grapes are being used for
raisins to feed our troops and allies.
The California Wine Institute es-
Inmates national wine inventories at
the end of June reduced to around
a 100000 ,00O- gallon level, compared
to 1876, SOC, 900 gallons on hand at the
same time last wear"