The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-10
GIVE MORE PAY.
J. II. Simpson, Internal Revenne
Collector, Nay Get Raise.
US. Commissioner Recommends
S3,125, With Certain Fees.
VIC MURDOCK'S LAW.
Seem to Be Many Obstacles in
Way of DenaturizatiOn.
Hoped That Product Can Be
Made by Small Concerns.
VIC MURDOCK'S LAW.

Washington. Dec. 10.=The annual
report of the commissioner of internal
revenue, just out. is of interest be-
cause it discusses to a considerable ex-
tent the probable working Of the legis-
ton in the last session of congress
known as the free alcohol act. In this
legislation, ReDresen tative Victor Muir
dock took a prominent part, favoring
1t from the beginning. and being one
OF the first members of congress to
agitate the subject Mr.. AIurdock's
speech on the bill was one of the most
comprehensive and instructive deliver
ed on the subject
The commissioner states that this
legislation was the most important
pertaining tc his Office enacted at the
last session. He is not enthusiastic
over the subject, recognizing some of
the d111culties that surround placing
this supposed cheap fuel and light in
the hands of the people. However, he
thinks that there is good chance for
the successful working of the new law
and gives a great deal of valuable in
formation concerning it.
It IS stated by the commissioner
that the present tax on this alcohol
$50 proofs $1.9S per wine gallon.
MS charge is to be removed entirely,
and the commissioner homes that
after denaturing materials have been
added the alcohol may be sold at
prices ranging from 80 to 40 cents per
gallon This he says will insure it's
broad use.
The alcohol will be produced at dis
/ tiileries under government supervision.
but It IS thought that after a while the
distlltation will not be confined alone
to the very large distilleries but will
be extended to small cooperative ones.
The commissioner makes this state
ment:
Tt is confidently believed that great
benefit Will be derived by the people at
large from this legislation. and few
public measures have ever received in
the congress such hearty and unani-
nous support
Concerning the denaturing process.
whichsrenders the product unfit except
for use IN the industries and the arts,
the commissioner says:
''The work may be done by the un-
scrupulous and dishonest through re-
distillation and other processes. remov-
ing the denatured ingredients and re-
storing the alcoho oil to its original con-
dition, fit for beverage and potable
purposes.
1T Will be difficult of accomplish
ment. vet it is necessary to use articles
for denaturing that are the hardest to
separate from pure alcohol by chem
fcdl or other processes.
The commissioner states that an Off
cial from Canada was in his office re-
Gently and indicated in the course of
conversation that the enactment of this
legislation would require changes to be
made in the present Canadian system
controlling the preparation and use of
denatured alcohol. Foreign officials,
he says. are watching closely the ex-
periments in this country.
Change Pay of Collectors.
Also in his report the commissioner
makes recommendation to congress con-
cerning the salaries of collectors of in
ternal revenue throughout the country.
He recommends salaries on the basis
of collections made. For collection of
amounts ranging from $275, 900 to $780,
600 per annuna, he recomends a salary
of S3125 This would include the Kan
sas class. In addition to this, of course,
on certain collections. and on account
of territorial extent. This wou9l favor
ably affect Kansas.
The Kansas district comprises Kansas,
Oklahoma and Indian Territory
The Kansas district collected in the
last fiscal year the sum of 1920, 147.4S.
Of this amount Oklahoma contributed
7S.984.e1; and Indian Territory, $12 223.-
26. Kansas. therefore, contributed a
large sum out of the entire amount for
the Kansas district.
In the last statehood bill, the one that
finally passed, providing for the admis-
sion Of Oklahoma and Indian Territory
there was section making the new
state of Oklahoma a separate collec-
ton district This was in the interest
of added federal patronage. When the
attention of the treasury department
was called to this strong objection was
made. because of the very small revenue
collected In the proposed new state; and
the section was stricken from the bill
Oklahoma will therefore continue in the
Kansas district