Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-10
DANGER OF FUsEL OIL
OR. WILEY CoNTRADICTS THE
GENERAL IMPRESSION.
Discusses Alcohol and Whisky Before
the Committee on Ways
and Means.

A mild sensation was created in the ways
and means committee yesterday by Or.
Harvey w Wiley. the eminent food expert
of the Department of Agriculture. who de-
clared that fusel oil was not dangerous to
health, but, on the contrary, lis rather a
pleasant drink" In view of the fact that
all other leading chemists regard fusel oil
very poisonous, DIR. Wileys statement
will undoubtedly cause much comment in
the scientific world. 1t is thought likely,
however that 1t is one of his scientific
pleasantries, like his statements regarding
artificial honey in the comb, artificial lamb
chops and imitation whisky.
DR.. Wiley was before the committee in
regard to the proposition to- remove the
tax on alcohol when rendered unlt for
drinking and used in the arts and sciences.
He strongly advocated such a measure, and
In the course of his testimony treated the
committee to dissertation on whisky,
highly recommending that which is bottled
in bond. AS DIR. Wiley has devoted much
of his time to investigating the subject of
whisky, having spent all last summer
abroad for that purpose, his recommcnda-
ton of bottled-in- bond whisky made Il Ia
vorable impression on the committee as
coming from an expert. The question Of
the toxic properties of fusel oil came up
while Dr. Wiley was discussing the va
rious alcohoIs produced by the disuliation
of grain.
Fusel Oil Not Poison.
"Then fusel Oil is an alcohol?' asked
Chairman Payne.
YES, it is an amyl alcohol" responded
Dr. Wiley
..Fusel oil is very poisonous, is it not?''
continued Mr. Payne
oh fusel oil is not SO deadly" replied
DIR. Wiley, scornfully.
IL always understood 1t was poison, -
said the chairman, interested in pursuing
the subject.
THAT is a mistake" emphatically de-
clared the government food expert 1T is
really rather a pleasant drink
Continuing, DIR. Wiley testified that On
one occasion when he was in a saloon in a
low part of Washington, in a quarter
where millionaires do not live'-he ex-
tions''-he saw workman get a glass or
alleged whisky with a glass of beer for q
Chaser for 8 cents. He did not think
the drink was really whisky.
1.-The only way to be sure of getting
proof whisky he said lis to get bottled
in-bond whisky out of unopened bott,es.''
He made strong plea for the passage OF
the bill, mentioning that the produ GERS of
goods were practically bankrupt.
Representatives Payne and Dalzell brought
out the fact that the distillers and the
liquor journals were supporting the bill as
a step in the direction of untaxed alcohol
for drinking purposes. They also mentioned
that they had received number of letters
from temperance people who believed the
proposition would lead to increased drunk
enneSS.
Poison Drinks of the Slums.
Dr. Wiley admitted that denaturized alco-
hol, especially If containing only small
proportion of wood alcohol, would doubt
less be consumed in the slurns and by the
uniformed throughout the country, adding
that as they now drink ether and kerosene
they would drink denaturized alcohol. In
England, 1t is understood, the medical au-
thorities have vehemently denounced the
growing practice of drinking methylated
spirits which are untaxed and are obtained
very cheaply at corner groceries. Russia
has offered a reward of $4,000 for sue
cessful process of rendering alcohol unfit
for drinking, while not injuring 1t for In
dustrial purposes, and Canada requires it
to be mixed with 90 per cent wood alcohol.
IF the temperance people get together
and oppose this measure" suggested Repre-
sentative Champ Clark of Missouri, they
have sufficient strength to be respected"
DIR. Wiley proclaimed himself temper
ance man., while he regarded prohibi-
ZIONIST as ian Incorporate man.
The hearing was continued TO February
90 when the opposition will be heard. at
which time it Is expected that representa-
tiyes of the various temperance organiza-
tons and others will be present to oppose
the bill.