The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1906-06-15

NOW Ihdl the Dill LOT eAtlnpllu9 IA6
tax from denaturalized alcohol has been
practically forced thru congress by a
universal demand of the people for its
passage, there is more or less specula-
ton as to what effect it will have on
the prices of oil illuminants and power.
Secretary Wilson has said the soil
could be made 10 produce in alcohol
even sufficient supply of fuel for the
country.
''The Northern states could readily
depend upon the the white potato as a
source of heat and life, the southern
states upon the yam and the sweet po-
tato, and the western states upon the
sugar beet. The average amount Of
sugar and starch which goes to waste
in the stalks of Indian corn annually
would make 100 gallons of commercial
alcohol per acre. When we consider
that the number of acres in Indian corn
is approximately 100000, 900, it is seen
that the quantity of alcohol that is
lost in the stalks is so large as to be al
most beyond the grasp of our concep-
ton.
1t stands to reason that if the supply
could be made to meet the demand for
all kinds of fuel, it would not be at all
difficult to provide alcohol in quantities
for light and power purposes. The
only question then is the cost of produc-
| ton. 1t is estimated that the cost per
gallon of making alcohol is about nine
cents. Materials are abundant in every
community. Here much spoiled or
damaged grain could be used for the
purpose 1t has been shown that a
gallon OF alcohol will produce at least
ten per cent more power than a gallon
of gasoline. 1t is pretty safe predic-
ton that denaturalized alcohol will be
a mighty active competitor OF gasoline
and kerosene, for if not, the oil trust
never would have put up such a stub
born fight aginst the bill.
Mr.. Payne, of New York, who was
chairman of the committee on the pro
position to relieve industrial alcohol
from internal revenue tax, discussing
this subject, said that the bulk of de-
natured alcohol in Germany, is used for
the purpose of light, fuel and heat. A
| lamp is now made with a Welsbach
mantle which produces very strong,
steady and high grade light by the use
of alcohol Experiments have been
made testing this lamp with the most
improved pattern kerosene lamps with
round wicks and equal candlepower;
it was found that a gallon OF alcohol
would keep the alcohol lamp burning
twice as long as would gallon of kero-
sene burning in the most approved
pattern of kerosene lamp which is in
general use. In other words, one gal
Ion of alcohol is equal 10 two gallons of
kerosene for lightings purposes. Hence,
it follows if the price of alcohol methy
lated is less than double the price OF
kerosene its use, especially on the farm
and in the villages of the country,
would become enormous.
During the past few months expert
ments have been made in adapting gas
oline power engines to the use of al
cohol. This has been successfully Gone
in Germany for several years, tho there
they generally mix % per cent of gaso-
line with the alcohol to obtain a more
ready ignition OF the fluid which is
forced into the cylinder of the engine
in form of vapor.
Experiments in this country have
developed the fact that alcohol can be
used just as readily as this mixture with
gasoline or the gasoline, itself, and the
operation OF the engine with its use is
perfect.