Industry Circular

Number: 73-16

Date: September 11, 1973

Department of the Treasury

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

Washington, DC 20226

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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DSP STUDY GROUP ON RECORDS AND REPORTS FOR BOTTLING OPERATIONS AND STATISTICS

Proprietors of Distilled Spirits Plants, Importers and others concerned:

Purpose. The purpose of this circular is to solicit information of industry members on Phase II of the records and reports study (bottling operations and statistics).

Background. Phase I of the records and reports study, undertaken jointly by officials of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and by industry, covered records and reports involved in connection with the production and warehousing of distilled spirits. That phase of the study was completed by the issuance of Treasury Decision ATF-4, effective July 1, 1973.

On September 6, 1973, the Bureau held the initial joint meeting, launching Phase II of the records and reports study. The meeting was attended by the following industry representatives:

Mr. Edward Fortwengler DISCUS Mr. Henry Peterson Kentucky Distillers Association Mr. Arthur Silverman Wine Institute Mr. Abraham Buchman Independent American Whisky Assoc. Mr. Thomas O'Neill National Association of Alcohol Beverage Importers Mr. John Coggins Independent American Whisky Assoc. Mr. James Landis Industry Chairman of Phase I

As you are aware, this phase of the study is concerned with the dayto-day operational records and reports at distilled spirits bottling facilities and industry's needs in the way of statistical compilations. A joint ATF-Industry Study Group has been set up to determine what changes should be made in these areas. The group is to make a very comprehensive study of all possible changes in bottling records, reports, and regulations, and in statistics on domestic and imported distilled spirits.

We rarely have the opportunity to conduct full studies of this sort; therefore, we hope to make all pertinent changes now, as it may be a number of years before another study of this type is undertaken.

Request. In order for a study of this sort to be a success, it should have the benefit of your thoughts on the subject. Therefore, we urge each proprietor to participate in this joint effort by developing recommendations for changes that would increase the effectiveness and efficiency of bottling operations and provide more meaningful statistics, while still providing protection of the revenue and of proprietors' rights of "statistical privacy".

Your recommendations may be forwarded, by October 15, 1973, to this office or to Mr. Edward Fortwengler, Chairman of the industry group, as follows:

Mr. Edward Fortwengler
Schenley Distillers,
Inc. 36 East Fourth Street Cincinnati,
Ohio 45202

Inquiries. Inquiries regarding this Circular should refer to its number and be addressed to the Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20226.

Rex D. Davis

Director