Evening star., 1944-07-16
DisfiI|eries 10 Make
HaIf.Year Supply Of
Liquor in August
NJ the Associated Press.

9y the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, July 15.-The Ma
tion's distilleries will mix q potent
drink in August.
Their goal is to make so, 900 900
gallons of civilian whisky and spirits
that month-half as much as the
industry used In all OF 1943 for max
ing straight and blended whisky,
brandy and gin.
Since October 8, 1942-some dis
tilleries started earlier-they have
made nothing but alcohol for smoke
less powder, synthetic rubber and
similar war products.
During that time the industry
made its civilian liquor by with
drawing spirits manufactured in
prewar years and stored in Govern
ment warehouses. These stocks now
total about ATS 900, 900 net gallons.
Decision Brings Results.
Obviously the industry could not
withdraw from these stocks forever.
The War Production Board recently
indicated war alcohol stock piles
were great enough by ruling that
distillers could make home front
liquor for a month.
The WPB decision already has
produced results. Trade sources re-
port black market operations are
drying up and civilians no longer
are boarding.
"Fly-by-night" brands Of low
grade rum and gin made from cane
neutral spirits generally have be-
come q liability to retailers.
Allied Liquor Industries, a private
research agency, reports such bev-
erages have been cut in price by as
much as 81 a fifth in some sections
where whisky and other we'll Unknown
liquors are becoming available.
The problem of cutting prices is
one for individual stores, but the
public can expect more Of the pop
ular, high-quality brands which have
been in small supply lately, say other
trade sources.
ItCbAh SGUChS OHAnUWH.
How much Of the slow-moving
runs and gins is on retail shelves is
unknown, partly because the Gov
eminent withholds specific figures
on imports for security reasons.
Much Of 1t comes from the Carib-
bean area.
Trade sources estimate about half
Of the approximately 26,000, 900 gal
Ions of imported liquors in 1943 came
from the Caribbean area, amounting
to around 10 per cent of total with
drawals and imports.
BY contrast, during the first four
months of this year, imports
amounted to 392 per cent of the
total. There was little Scotch or
Canadian whisky-indicating Car
ibbean imports substantially in
creased.
Expanded rations of whisky are
indicated for the monopoly States
Of Alabama, Idaho, Iowa, Maine,
Michigan, Montana, New Hamp-
shire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Vir-
ginia. Washington. West Virginia
and Wyoming
Whisky rations for these States
have ranged from one-fifth of gall
Ion each seven weeks to one quart
a month. In some cases wine was
rationed, too. But majority of the
States made another allowance for
other spirits, such as rum, brandy
or gin.
Ruling at Opportune Time.
Industry sources say that the
WPB's decision came at an oppor-
tune time. In the summer many
persons turn to the Collins" type
Of drink, giving the industry a
chance to build up whisky inven-
tories for fall
Gin probably will be one of the
first types to appear in retail stores
as direct result of the war alcohol
holiday. 1t is made Of neutral spir-
its, which will account for most of
the industry's August output.
Next will be blends, made by COM
bining neutral spirits with aged
whisky.
Rye and wheat will be the grains
used in making the neutral spirits,
the WPB prohibiting use of corn,
molasses or grain sorghum because
Of shortages.
The ban on using corn would
seem to indicate there will be no
straight bourbon whisky made, but
it was pointed out some distilleries
might own small quantities OF aged
bourbon which they could blend
with neutral spirits.
Little relief Is held out for
Scotch drinkers, liquor sources ex-
planning this is an important prob
lem.
IN ill.,