Evening star., 1906-02-12
DENATURED ALC0 H0L
PROPOSITION TO REMOVE THE
INTERNAL REVENUE DUTY.

INTERNAL REVENUE DUTY.
The committee on ways and means is de-
voting much attention to the considera-
ton of the bill introduced by Representative
Hill of Connecticut, and other similar meas
ures, to remove the Internal revenue duty
from denatured alcohol for in the arts
and sciences: Representative Hill charac-
terizes the proposition opening the farm
ers' coal mine. and giving the country an
unlimited supply of fuel uncontrolled by
strikes, and where the price cannot be dc
tated by any combination or trust It was
shown in the hearings held last week that
grain alcohol, upon which there is now
Internal revenue tax of S2.07 a gallon, can
per cent of alcohol, and thus made unit
FOR drinking purposes. 1t can thus be used
for fuel, light and power as cheapiy and,
IN some instances. cheaper, than kerosene
or gasoline.
Ex-Gov. Nahum BatcheIlor of New
Hampshire was one of the witnesses before
the committee representing the National
Grange Patrons OK Industry, who asked in
behalf OF nearly million farmers that
the product of their farms be free to them
for the purpose of fuel and light. He DEM
onsfratedi to the committee that from a
buShel or corn, worth from - to 33 cents
In the west, alcohol could be made at 4
cost not to exceed 10 to Is cents a gallon,
and that 1t furnished a better power for
farm machinery than gasoline and COULD
De used with the same engines, and would
make a better and cheaper light than kero.
sene. One OF the most interesting wit
nesses before the committee was 8. A Mag
min, manager of the Chardonnet Artificial
SILK COMPANY of Paris and New York, who
exhibited specimens Of artificial silk fiber
and manufactured fabrics, laces embro.d-
cries and brocaded silks made of cotton
h-nr al loo o1H< , ~
the industry is impossible in this country
under the enormous tax on alcohol, and
declared that if this burden were removed
O. great industry for the manufacture OF
artificial silk might be built up in this
country, where cotton and corn grow side
by side.
For Automobile Power
Messrs. Capron and Ingraham OF Detroit
appeared for the Detroit chamber of COM.
merce and the Michigan State Grange The
former stated that there 10 now under con-
tract for delivery this year by the manu-
facturers of automobiles and gasoline en-
gfnes for farm uses in and about Detroit
enough Of these engines to cause a daily
consumption of 200O1 gallons of gasoline
over and above the amount consumed by
the country now, and he further asserted
that IT would be impossible to supply fuel
for this machinery unless some other prod
uct was procured. He maintained that al
cohol could be used with these engines with
little or no change in them, and that un-
less the tax was removed from alcohol the
cost OF gasoline was certain to be very
largely increased in the near future An
appeal for free alcohol was also made by
representatives. of the piano industry. which
is obliged to use alcohol for polish and
shellac. A similar plea was made In behalf
OF the International Harvester Company of
Chicago
C. II. Merritt OF Danbury Conn. ap-
peared for the hat manufacturers, and de-
claret that IN the naSt in
dustry, which is OBJ ged to use wood alcohol
owing to the fact that Il is much cheaper
ncrw than grain alcohol, had paid a tribute
of 81, 100000 to the wood alcohol trust over
and above what it would have been Obliged
to pay for grain alcohol without the tax
Representatives of the hardware industry
journeymen painters and decorators, MEM
bers of the Federation of Labor and other
organizations also urged the passage of
the bill.
Prof. Wiley's Views.
Prof. Wiley, chief chemist OF the Depart
men of Agriculture. made an elaborate ar
gument upon the scientific side Of the case,
and, while admitting the immense advan-
tages which free alcohol would bring to the
manufacturing industries OF the country, he
claimed that he appeared for an infinitely
greater interest-namely, the welfare of the
farmers, on the ground that the only do
mestic raw material which Is subject to a
tax is this one product of the American
farm. He said there was no other civilized
commercial country in the world which was
guilty of such injudfcious legislation He
exhibited specimens of solidified alcohol in
pieces about the size of a marble. These he
lighted and burned 10 demonstrate the pos
stbilities of travellers using this portable
fuel for cooking purposes
A mass of statistical Information was
furnished by c. j. Zintheo, who has charge
of the farm machinery investigation OF the
Department of Agriculture.
Mr.. Zintlieo summed up his statement
by saying that THE cost OF alcohol as COM
pared with Kerosene for lighting purposes
Is in the ratio of six to ten In favor of al
cohol, and that only gas can compete with
alcohol for lighting PURPOSES, but that al
cohol has the advantage over gas by being
a portable light, that may be used any
where" He also discussed the subject of
alcohol motors and the use of the fluid for
heating purposes and showed that alcohol
was cheap as kerosene and cheaper than
gasoline. and could be used with far greater
safety With free alcohol, he said the
farmer will be benefited by the market pro-
duced for great many waste and starchy
products unfit for use otherwise and un-
necessary for consumption. At the same
times he will be able to heat and light his
home, do the disagreeable and hard work
on his farm by this motive power, and
transport himself and his products by the
same power.