Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-04-06
Free Alcohol Bill.

likely TO attract great deal OF interest In
Congress. The bill relieves from internal
revenue tax alcohol which is suitable only
for industrial purposes and not at for use In
beverages.
The bill is being urged by the farmers or.
CARNATIONS throughout the country. The
claim is made that the farmers can sell their
surplus stocks of bad potatoes, fruits, I'M
marketable grain and the like to the distil.
leries, to be turned into alcohol to be used
in the arts. The suggestion to the farmer
has been carefully pushed along, it is said,
by the distilleries trust, whose stock on the
New York stock exchange has been steadi.
ly advancing since the Ways and Means
committee took hold of the subject.
Strangely enough, the temperance organ
izations have been supporting this bill,
which is TO increase the output Of alcohol.
Their position is that the spectacle Of the
widespread use Of alcohol as mechanical
agent will serve to lessen its internal use by
many, and that ultimstely Its use as bev.
erage will be prohibited.
hol will be so cheap as to get into general
use as fuel and motor power az well as
cheapening many kinds of manufacturing.
1t has been reported that the Standard Oil
Company is opposed to the bill because it
will cut into the sale of gasoline and coal
oil for motor purposes. This suggestion,
when made 10 the farmers assemblies, It is
said, usually expsdites the sending OF petit
tons to Washington.
For II there Is one thing the farmers like
it Ia to get after the Standard Oil Company.
If the bill becomes law, there may be an
interesting contest between the great distl.
leries trust and the Standard Oil trust for
control of this new element In industries.
1t is quite likely that the bill will pass
the Senate this session. The influences
which have been at work 10 the House in
behalf of the bill will now be transferred to
the Senate, and the "granger" pressure ex
erted there.
The bill provides that from and after three
months from the passage of this act domes-
tic alcohol of such degree Of proof as may
be prescribed by the commissioner Of inter-
nal revenue, and approved by the Secretary
of the Treasury, may be Withdrawn from
bond without the payment Of the internal
revenue tax, for use In the arts and indus.
tries. and for fuel, light and power. provided
the alcohol shall have been mixed In the
presence and under the direction of an
authorized government officer, before with.
drawal from the bonded warehouse, with
denaturing material suitable to the use for
which the alcohol ia. Withdrawn, but which
destroys lts character as beverage and rem
ders it unfit for liquid medicinal purposes.
Any person who uses alcohol withdrawn
from bond under the provisions of section
one of this act for manufacturing any bever.
age or liquid medicinal preparation. or
medical preparation made in whole or in
part from such alcohol, or knowingly vio-
lates any of the provisions of this act, or
who shall recover or attempt to recover by
rehabilitation or by any other process or
means, any alcohol rendered unfit for bev-
erage or liquid medicinal purposes under
the provisions of this act, or who knowingly
uses, sells or sells or conceals alcohol 80 re.
covered or redistilled. shall on conviction OF
each offense be fined not more than 5000.
or be imprisoned not more than five years,
or both; for the employment of such add.
tlonal force of chemists, internal revenue
agents, inspectors, deputy collectors, clerks,
laborers and other assistants as the commits
sioner of internal revenue, with the ap-
provsl Of the Secretary OF the Treasury,
may deem proper and necessary to the
prompt and efficient operation and enforce
ment of this law, and the sum of $3.50 900
is hereby appropriated.
For period Of two years from and alter
the passage of this act the force authorized
by this section of this act shall be appointed
by the commissioner of internal revenue,
with the approval of the Secretary OF the
Treasury, and without compliance with the
conditions prescribed by the act entitled IAN
act to regulate and improve the civil ser.
vice." and with such compensation as the
commissioner OF internal revenue may fix,
with the approval Of the Secretary OF the
Treasury.