The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-10
Free Alcohol.

Mr.. Calderhead Of Kansas has intro
duced in the house bill for free alco-
hol for use in the arts which ought to
receive the votes Of all members. The
present tax upon alcohol is $2.O8 per
gallon without discrimination as to
whether it Is to be- used as beverage
or for use in the arts. The bill pro-
poses to free the denaturized alcohol
and thus cheaper it for manufacturing
purposes while retaining large tax
upon alcohol used as a beverage. !
The only objection that has been
raised to such legislation is the fear
that it would lead to fraud in the temp
tation to remove the denaturizing addi-
lions, and the sale Of the stuff as
beverage untaxed. This fear is one
which is met by the fact that suitable
penalties are provided in the Calder,
head bill for the preparation Of such
frauds. But if congress should not be
convinced of the efficacy Of penal
statute there is a compromise perfectly
feasible, which does away with all OBJ
| jections, that is to reduce the tax 70
cents per gallon The subtraction of
the denaturizing material involves a
/ complicated and expensive process and
| it is easily ascertainable that 70 cents
is about the point at which the tax
! could be fixed to make fraud unproft-
able. .s
But free alcohol for the manufac-
| 49, +ho 3e 1,ok 80 4oJ
and was recommended by the late Sen.
ator Orville II. Platt. In summing up
the work Of the select joint committee
of congress to investigate the subject
he said: -
| Whenever either under present OF
future laws the revenue Of the govern
ment will permit, law should b.
passed which within proper limits anG
restrictions will allow the use untaxei
Of all alcohol not to be used as bev
erage.'
! An adequate view Of the importahe,
of free alcohol can be had by compar
ing the progress in small manufacture
of Germany where there is low ia,
rate on alcohol, and untaxed alcohol 70
manufacturing purposes. The stats
tics show for the eight years between
1888 and 1895 Germany with two-third
the populations Of this country produce,
usually on an average 54,0OGDOO gallon
more than we did, used 46,OOO,OOO gal
Ions more in the arts, and exporte,
nearly 100000 gallons more than W
did, while we used 100000 more il
beverages than Germany used in tina
, way. hi 81
! Germany, by the use Of free alcoho
has obtained leadership in the organi
chemical industries which is not naturs
as against the United States. It
largely the product Of the high tax upo
alcohol. The use of alcohol in til
. arts is limited only by its cos
! The list Of articles into whose mar
ufacture it enters is too long to
! given, but it includes all articles maj
9 ufactured Of wood in which a finish
necessary. It includes also many q
iron and steel, and even Of cloth {
fur. It is estimated. that the tax upo
alcohol has a positive influence upo
I the cost price Of silk and derby hal
! for men and all straw hats for me
9 and women. Alcohol is also used Il
2 Eautomob iles, yachts and small powe
J, plants; in rural and farm engines an
9 motors for all purposes; for heatin
g and lighting; for preserving, and j
( a large number Of domestic purpose
Alcohol nntaxed would stimulate nun
J. berless little industries in the small'
!, places where now nothing is made
small facturies and every thing
. bought from the great concerns Whie