New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-31
FREE ALCOHOL BILL.
House Committee Reports in FAVOR
If Denatured Product.
From The Tribune Buresu-I

-----s--ro- March 3O--The House Commit
-. -, WAYS and Means to-day responded affirm
80 70 the demand which has come from
"--,e.~-urers Of the Fast and farmers Of the
~ Cor the removal OF the revenue tax on de-
- alcohol when taken from bond for in
- .rur7,oses. Tt has required spirited con-
-. -, re- This bill out Of committee The fight
- -.- ended. for. while the bill undoubtedly viii
- ,ne House. IT viii meet with opposition in
the Senate
-to demand for this legislation originated with
.,--ra-+7l-e-s in New England and other East
- states There is hardly a form Of manu-
ACQUIRING In which alcohol is not used 10 some
---e-- The manufacturers found the internal
-s,-e---r tax burdersome and have for years
ro---rafred about il bitterly. The main objec-
,o- M 10 this tine 10 removing the tax has been
The plea az the Treasury Department that its
removal would lead 10 loss Of revenue from
s-te-ral taxes and would afford opportunity for
fraud on the internal revenue laws The de-
rs-rr1ert feared that means would be found to
-eha bilirate the denatured alcohol after il was
removed from bond and 10 use Il in whiskey and
othe- beverages. The department has finally
aha-ed IT'S opposition upon assurance that the
bill VIII contain provisions safeguarding the rev
enues.
Demand for legislation also comes from the
farmers of the West. It has been pointed out
fruit potatoes and corn by selling them TO the
dislleries 70 be turned into alcohol and that
when the tax was removed they could get cheap
slcoho. for fuel and for motor power. The result
Of this argument has been the sending Of in
Vulnerable petitions 10 Congress from grangers'
associations al over the country. praying for
fire. alcohol
An interesting feature Of the campaign in be-
haH OF this legislation IS the attitude Of the
temperance organizations. They have favored II,
and D. is said that the ground OF their indorse-
neut is that they believe It would be promoting
the cause Of temperance by facilitating the use
q alcohol as merely mechanical and industrial
element. Their argument is that denatured alco-
biol win he regarded as poison, and the young
generation viii come 10 regard it as such and
nor as a beverage.
Tie charge has been circulated about the
capitol that the Standard oil Company is
opposing the legislation. II is said that the
universal use OF alcohol for lighting. heating and
motor purposes will make Il a competitor with
Earo-e-e and coal OIL the principal products Of
e----e doubt whether the oll- can 'e I assoc az
-hls session Of Congress. The Senate Committee
oh Finance probably viii insist upon hearings
o. -1e bill I'm order 10 acquei0t tfseI win the
merits ~ the proposed legislation The fact that
ire Committee on WAYS and Means has held
hearings a report Of which covers four hundred
printed pages win probably not be taken by
- Senate committee as sufficient information
-.- RS guidance.
The bin was reported as prepared by the sub
committee and introduced by Chairman PAYNE.
80 provides that beginning three months after
--= -asSa &c domestic alcohol Of such degree OF
proof as may he prescribed by The Commissioner
NJ Internal Revenue and approved by the Sec
rotary ~ The Treasury. may be Withdrawn from
rr-- without the payment q internal revenue
FAX r-- use in the arts and industries and
+.- r-FI light and power provided II shall have
.r-- mixed iU the presence and under the dlrec-
...- ~ a- authorized government officer before
-L-araI with deuatuTiug material suitable
.. --.z use for which the alcohol Is withdrawn.
-..-- -r.--h destroys its character as beverage
a-. renders IL UNIT for liquid medicinal pur-
-.-sr
-a-z' III ~ Eve years imprisonment and
fr= Is imposed for either redistribution or
rs Use II a-.-- process 10 render the alcohol so
r1rE-r SaLahle q beverage or for medlc-
purposes The bill apprOpriates S23oOOD
-.- -ha -r-u1Cv-nent Of such additional force Of
---ri=rs a. may he necessary in the Internal
-.r7 e--.r Fu-ea-. 10 administer the act.