Evening star., 1943-12-17
Liquor
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dietary Subcommittee investigating
the liquor industry.
Mr.. Fig defended his practice of
selling whisky for only one or two
hours day, except in the case of a
special sale, declaring that If we
sold all day bootleggers would come
in and buy us out"
The witness, formerly in the gro
Gerry business, testified that when
he obtained a liquor license nine
years ago Il didn't know anything
about the liquor business, the man
who sold it to me didn't either, and
to my surprise the customers knew
less than either of u.s.
Ordered Own Whisky.
After sizing up the situation, he
declared, he became convinced that
to stay in the business he should
own his whisky Ito know what is
going into the bottles"
Accordingly, he added, he con-
tracted with Kentucky distillery
to make a stated amount for him
each month. He said he kept on
buying, without bottling any, for
four years.
Mr.. Fig testified that he still has
a supply in Kentucky sufficient to
fill 250,000 bottles (hfthsJ as it be-
comes OF bottling age.
Chairman Van Nuys asked him
why he changed from quart bottles
to fifths, and if any bottle manu-
facturer had declined to sell him
quart sizes.
Mr.. Fig said he does not know
any bottle manufacturers, adding
that he has to take whatever bot
ties the distiller has on hand when
he orders his whisky.
Fears Buying Rush.
Senator Van Nuys said he ex-
pected to prove before the inquiry
ends that distillers can get quart
bottles if they want that size. Ques-
toned by Senator Ferguson, Re-
publican, Of Michigan and other
committeeman. Mr.. Fig said if he
sold whisky all day every day his
supply would not last long, and he
would not be able to serve his Gus
toners.
People just have too much
money" he continued Some Gus
toners tell me they have two cases
in the recreation room. but want
another bottle 1t used to be If a
customer brought in $50 bill the
clerks would stop work to look at it.
Now people bring in 500 bills like
5o-cent pieces"
Senator Murdock, Democrat, of
Utah suggested that, in having a
special sale, the witness was doing
the same thing chain stores have
done for years use some products
as leaders, in the hope of selling
others.
Mr. Fig insisted that on the day
of his sale. he did not try to sell
other products and estimated he did
not sell s100 worth of other items
that day.
Senator Murdock asked him how
selling for only one or two hours
would keep bootleggers away. Mr.
Fig said bootleggers could not af-
ford to stand in line. and that he
tried to keep customers from get
ting in line more than once.
Tax Proposal Fails.
Meanwhile, the effort to relieve
the liquor shortage by shortening the
tax-free aging period. and thereby
force distillers to release a portion
of their whisky in storage. failed in
I the Senate Finance Committee yes
terday, II to q
] Chairman George proposed tC
apply the s9-a-gallon whisky tax
to whisky in bond five years OF
more instead of the present eight
year limit, but only one other COM
mitteeman, Senator Vandenberg
Republican, of Michigan. supported
the plan. The amendment would
have added nearly $1,000 ,000,0 to
the Governments tax receipts early
in 1914.
Dstillery spokesmen insisted, how
ever, that with SO much money in
circulation now the liquor forced
out of bond by the amendment
would be used up rapidly. leaving an
era of green" whisky after the war
until another supply could be aged
The making of beverage alcohol
stopped in October, 1912.