The Washington times., 1906-08-23
YERKES FEARS
FOR THE FUTURE
Observations on His Study
Of Denatured Alcohol
While Abroad.
DISAPPOINTMENT PROBABLE
Based on Experiences Of Foreign Couu-
tries It's Uses Are Practically
Limited.

Taking the experience Of European
countries as basis, the United States
is apparently destined 70 some disap-
pointmenJ OF the earnest hopes that
have been built around denatured alco-
h0l. The outline which Commissioner
of InteTnaI Revenue John ". Yerkes
today gave Of his observations while
studying the question ia Europe sug-
gests this conclusion with much force.
Commissioner Yerkes went abroad
several weeks ago 20 study the Gov
eTnmental regulations Of the manu-
facture and sale Of alcohol for indus
trial purposes. preliminary 10 prepara-
ton OF administrative regulations IN
der which the law viii be executed
here He visited England. France, and
Germany, and devoted himself To learn
ing everything possible about the pro-
ducu0n, uses, and governmental super
vision Of denatured alcohol.
It's Uses Are Limited.
The commissioner found the use Of
alcohol for domestic purposes limited
practically 10 the alcohol lamp for the
table-the heating OF tea and coffee.
the channg dish. etc. 1t is not vet
used FOR purposes Of heat and light
so tar as he discovered. outside OF
some rural regions lu Germany where
gas and electricity are not available.
lie did not see, 80 far as he knew. a
single motor car operated by alcohol.
They use the same power as IN Amer
ica-gasolene-and use IL because II does
the work better and cheaper. There
are in Germany some uses Of alcohol
for power. but IL is charged that its
use results I'm damaging rust TO ma
chinery. Investigation, however. con-
vinced the commissioner that this has
been much exaggerated.
The future OF alcohol for domestic
and power purposes is in the hands
cf the people. II American inventive
genius is able 10 produce machinery
that viu effectively and economically
utilize rhe power and heat which alcO-
hol contains. America viii lead ths
world.
Germany Encourages Industry.
Germany. according 10 the commits
siOner. has devoted especial efforts TO
encouraging the alcohol industry. Coal
and OIL are dearer there than in France,
England. or America, and the fuel prob
lem of the empire is doubtless part Of
the explanation OF TIE governments en-
CCuragement.
Commissioner Yerkes' account Of the
progress of alcohol in Germany, where
the greatest efforts have been put
forth for it is distinctly discourage
in view OF the enthusiastic tone OF an
immense volume of literature that was
circulated and believed In this country
last winter The Use Of alcohol for
lights is not a success except where
there Is no gas or electricity but they
are now working on lamp that they
hope, with a specially adapted MANTLE
viii solve this problem
Have DistilleTies in Germany.
They have so-called farm dlstnIeries
in Germany, where big farmers make
alcohol from their own potatoes. or
where a group Of them cooperate in
this manufacture. In France and Eng
land nothing analogous 10 this method
has developed; most alcohol there is
made In big plants. as in This country
Mr., Yerkes said he fully expected that
in time the use Of alcohol would be a
very important factor in domestic econ
OmiCs in this country, and that cooper
atiVe distilleries would be operated Dy
farmers Just as they now conduct CO.
operative cre2meries-
Wherever he went. the commissioner
said ne was received with the greatest
courtesy and every facility was afford
ed bv officials 60 assist in his inquiry.
He homes that the new regulations may
be promulgated in ample season before
the law takes effect TO give due notice
20 ali concerned