The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1906-02-01
PLAN TO REPEAL
TAX ON ALCOHOL
Congressman Marshall Introduced
Bill for That Purpose
II the Internal Revenue Tax Of $2.o7 Was Re.
moved the Denaturized Alcohol Would.
Take Place Of Gasoline and Kerosene

w. W.. Jermane, the Washington
correspondent of the Minneapolis
Journal, sends his paper the following
article from Washington:
Through the intelligent activity and
foresight of Representative Marshall,
of North Dakota, the way is opening
for the establishment in the northwest
states of large plants for the distilla-
tion of denaturized alcohol, for use in
the arts and sciences, in general manu-
facture, and in variety of other prac-
tical ways. The general plan as
outlined looks first to suitable legisla-
tion in congress at this session, and
then to getting together capital for
investment in these distilling plants.
If this scheme is worked out, even in
a small way, it will develop many new
lines of industry in the northwest, give
the farmer permanent market at good
prices for his potatoes, corn, sugar
beets, and other crops possessing guam
titles of starch and sugar, and at the
same time strike the Standard Oil COM
pany terrific body blow.
In general way, this scheme is the
most ambitious of it's kind that ever
has been undertaken for Minnesota,
the Dakotas, Iowa and Wisconsin, and
its potentialities are almost without
limit. Capital in abundant amounts
has already been promised Mr.. Mar
shall, and as soon as there can be
legislation in congress, the work of
building the plants will be begun.
REPEAL INTERNAL TAX.
The legislation alluded to looks, to the
repeal of that section of law which
levies an internal revenue tax of $2.O7
gallon on alcohol for use in the arts,
etc. Europe has already discovered
the wisdom Of legislation of this char
acter, and in France and Germany
especially, the manufacture of dena-
turized alcohol has been carried on for
several years with astonishing success.
The result is that it is impossible for
American manufacturers of certain
lines of goods, such as drugs, druggists
sundries, etc., to compete in this coun-
try with the foreign trade. In Europe
the alcohol used in these goods is free
of tax, while here the $2.O7 is levied.
By the denaturizing process, the al
cohol is mixed with certain per cent
age of wood alcohol, or some similar
product, thus rendering it poisonous
and therefore unfit for use as bever-
age. This denaturizing will, of course,
be done under the immediate direction
Of the revenue officers of the govern
ment, and wilt be rigidly safeguarded
50 as to prevent any improper use of
the product. There is now no pro-
vision in the revenue laws by which
alcohol may be used in the arts and in
manufacture without the payment of
the regular revenue above referred to.
The legislation required will provide
that alcohol, after distillation, shall be
poisoned, and then that the revenue
shall be removed.
MARsHALL's EFFORTS.
Representative Marshall has been
giving this question careful attention
for a number of months. He had sew
eral conferences in this city before the
holidays and during the present week,
at which there were present in addition
to himself, Representative Hill of Con-
necticut, and Murdoch of Kansas, and
certain capitalists of the New England
states, the latter being anxious to fur
nish all the money that will be needed
to equip as many large alcohol distil-
leries in the northwest as will be needed
to take care Of any crops the farmers
may raise with a view to furthering
this new industry. It is the plan OF
these gentlemen to take up the work OF
an active campaign at once. Petitions
will be circulated over the country, fol
general signature. asking congress to
enact the desired legislation, and other
petitions will be put into circulation
with a1view to having them sent to
certain kmembers of the two houses
from voters along by about February
goth, TO justify meeting on that day
of the ways and means committee to
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