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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1917)
i nyr? h I1 The Commoner! m VOL. ,17, NO. G t i' i V r k Ik I Senators Vote Tax oh All Spirits '',A,' yasjifcgton dispatch to tho, Now York jle'rdlu, dated Juno 5, says: By placing an enormous tax on all foodstuffs used in tho manufacture of distilled spirits, the senate finance committeo today proposed to make further production of whiskey and other spirits prohibitive during the war. If tho now section of tho rev onuo bill agreed upon by tho com mitteo is passed by congress; beers, malt liquors and wines will be tho only "war drinks" possiblo of manu facture. In addition to the present tax of $2.20 a gallon, liquor tax of $20 a bushel (from $6 to $9 a gallon), upon all grain, cereal or other food stuffs used in manufacturing whis key or other distilled spirits for use as beverages was written into the bill. No additional tax will be placed on distilled spirits in bond, and it is estimated that they are sufficient to supply the country for more than a year. At tho same time the committee voted to prohibit the Importation of any distilled spirits made from ce reals, grains or other foodstuffs, ex cept for mechanical or scientific pur poses. Mr. Qoro'a Statements Tho prohibition amendments to tho bill were offered by Senatbr Gore, of Oklahoma. They were adopted by the committee by a large majority vote. The flrBt of the Gore amendments roads as follows: "In addition to tho tax imposed. by existing law on distilled spirits, th or o shajl be levied, collected and paid, on the materials from which such spirits are manufactured after the approval of this act the follow ing tax: On all molasses, syrups or substitutes therefrom a tax of $5 per wine gallon, and on all grain, ce reals and other edible productsahd materials a tax of $20 a bushel of fifty-six pounds, and every distiller using any such materials shall keep bucIi records and file such returns and bonds, and the tax shall bo paid at such time and in such manner and subject to such credits as the com missioner of internal revenue, with; the approval of the secretary of tlie treasury, may prescribe or require; provided that the distiller shall be entitled to refund the amount of "the tax paid on such materials when the spir'ts manufactured therefrom aire withdrawn from the tax under ex isting law, or withdrawn and used exclusively for the manufacture or, preparation of medicinal compon 1 ents; provided further that such jBpirits shall not be withdrawn trom lexnort except upon tho application of an accredited representative of a nation now at war with the Imperial German government, In which ap- plication it shalj be declared that Uuch spirits are withdrawn for use fin furtherance of such war." Mr. Simmons Sees Prohibition Commenting briefly on the sec tion, Senator Simmons, chairman of the senate finance committee, said: "The tax makes prohibitive the use of grains, in the further manu- facture of distilled spirits. There is I no additional tax on spirits in bond." The second Gore amendment pro i Tides: J "That no distilled spirits manu- fatured from grains, cereals or any edible products, molasses, syrups or substitutes therefor shall be import tAi(l into the United States from any foreign country or Puerto Rico or tho Philippines, except . for indus trial, mechanical or scientific pur poses under directions of the secre tary of the treasury." Tho action of the committee does not stop tho manufacture of beers, malt liquors or wines. It does not prohibit the sale of intoxicants. And it is th ) expectation of the committee to be able to raise as much revenue, if not more, for a year at least,. by the prohibitive tax as would have been raised had spirits distillation been allowed to continue. That de pends, however, on the duration of the war. It is not believed that the com mittee's action will stop the "drys" in congress from attempting at least to make "War prohibition" in all forms the law of the land during the war. i ' There is a very active force still trying to stop the sale as well as the manufacture of alcohol drinks. The senate judiciary committee has sev eral such bills before it for consid eration late this weekt It is the opinion of the conserv atives in congress that the best the "drys" can hope for at this partic ular time is what the senate finance committeo proposes. They declare it a step forward toward complete prohibition, and that may result be fore the end of the war. OONdTSIVE PROOF ARMY PROHIBITION BILL IS EFFECTIVE A Washington dispatch, dated May 24, Bays: Reports reaching the war department indicate that the war army acts prohibiting the sale of liquor about military camps or to enlisted men and officers in uniform is being observed rigidly. Even hotels and restaurants have refused to serve liquor to guests of army officers wear ing the uniform on the ground that such a sale would be to the officer and ,would make the management liable to a fine of not more than $1,000 or not more than one year's imprisonment or both, which th5 act provides as penalty for violation. " Tho law forbids not only sale but evc-n possession ct liquor of any kind at military camps or clubs. A, bill applying similaT real r lotions to tho navy is pending. FOOD PRODUCTS AND DETAILS Before starting on his tour in ad vocacy of larger . food productions Mr. Bryan obtained from the agri cultural department important sta tistics bearing on the subject. His addresses, therefore, will not be merely rhetorical flourishes, tickling io me ear ana entertaining, but so ber performances carrying facts and practical suggestions. As he will be treating of the soil and many of its products, he will keep his feet on the earth, and pack his talks with matters of the everyday. This example should be 'copied. When a famous rhetorican goes upon that tack, others should note and follow. The subject is as yet undeveloped. It came upon the country as a startl ing surprise. Suqh a thing as food shortage in the United States had never before been discussed except in an. academic way. Students of gov ernment and of our national devel opment had now and then in speech or writing offered some observations under that head as something that might happen; but the suggestions had never reached the busy circles HOvJ.THC, JZ) f HQV 'CAN HOO TCU. 1 . i. ' "" MY DfAlVgATS(W( I PCftCEiuE PROTRJpfNJ- COAT POCXEr A FiFTV Dollar, war BONO . -XT J&F if 2K c WR D,f- J: holmes, pj) Wr -, ! n i.l -From The Dallas (Texas) News. in America engaged with ordinary affairs. Suddenly the subject is, in, every body's mouth and mind". We'; are atf talking or writing about it. It ig'nb longer academic, but the opposite.' We are told by the most competent authorities that our supplies are short and must he greatly increased. The matter must be taken up at once, and by as many people as can assist in making up the deficiency. Washington Star. MUST DRIVE SALOON OUT IN TIME OF WAR From the Dallas,, Texas, ,Tews, May 25. "We must drive out the salpon, in order that our soldiers may meas ure up to a soldier's duty, and' jn, order that our. people at home may be strong to support the government during the war. We must forget that we are democrats or republicans, and one and all unite to drive out the greatest enemy the home has eyer had. We must furnish everything from men to money to maTce this war a success." This was the appeal of the Hon. W. J. Bryan, syeaking at the Fair park coliseum last night to an au dience that filled that great building to its capacity -the gathering being composed of members of the general assembly of the Presbyterian church of the United States of America, here from every part of the United States, and of Dallas citizens generally, as well as visitors from nearby points. Mr. Bryan, who is an elder in the Presbyterian church, came to the general assembly by invitation to d'e- llver a temperance address, and t public meeting at which he spoke was in charge of the temperance board of the church, and was held at the Coliseum in order to allow tho general public, to hear the, 'dis tinguished orator.i . "Purchase of -Liberty Bonds" Mr. Bryan urged;-as the patriotic duty of every person who can do so, a? the purchase of Liberty Loan Bonds; urged greater food production and, of even more importance, the con oervation of food and care by house wives and all others, in avoiding fqod waste. In this connection ho inveighed against the use of grain to manufacture alcoholic drinks at this tinte, when the world needs bread. r NO TIME FOR THE SNEER Irom the Asheville, N. C, Times. Every little while the Times reads in-some exchange a sneering commeut concerning William Jennings Bryan. Mr5. Bryan needs no defender hut it is against the policy of this news paper to overlook an opportunity of standing up for the "other fellow." It is ill-natured for any individual to indulge in sarcasm concerning the tender of services on the part of Mr. Bryan. The tender was made in a manly fashion and in modest and loyal language. Mr. Bryan wrote Mr. Wilson: ' "Please enroll me as " a private, whenever I am needed ana assign me to any work that I can do. Unt called to the colors, I shall, through the Red Cross, contribute to tno comfort of the soldiers in tho hos pital and, through the Y. M. j- a. aid in safeguarding the morals of tne, men in camp." ...nn re. In appreciation, Mr. Wilson r plied acknowledging the offer and expressing his confidence In the loy alty of Mr. Bryan. In the meant Ime, Mr. Bryan goes steadily at a J which marks his genuine manhood; He speaks for Jho ja and tho aammww1" -. ,j w confidence , wa "" Md Known as au uuvuv, Bryan bitterly opposed to r, Mr. realizes the seriousness ottne ation and stands by niB ;u' he Com people and their need, nn moner, under his signature, ho so "..'"The nation has entered e Men differed as to the wisdom of ing into the war, but .tno g men has acted, and there is no