Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-18
FREE ALCOHOL BILL
TALK OF ATTACHING PHILIPPINE
TARIFF TO THE MEASURE.

When the House bill providing for free
alcohol used In the arts reaches the Senate
II will be looked into thoroughly in view
of what Is regarded as necessary tariff
revision In order to properly adjust many
other tariff schedules to the new conditions
that win be met In connection with free
alcohol According to the view expressed
by many senators 1t will be absolutely
necessary for the committee on finance
to cali witnesses In this connection. al
though the House committee held rather
extensive hearings. because the House did
not undertake to go into phases of the
measure that will be investigated by the
Senate. 1t Is declared that very many Of
the tariff schedules were fixed In view of
the high price OF alcohol to American man
ufacturers, but II the duty is to be taken
or this commodity, so that il will cost but
twenty cents a gallon. 1t is said there Will
Of necessity be a readjustment of all these
schedules to meet the changes.
1t Is also understood to be the intention
OF some senators who are especially inter
ested In the Philippine tariff blu to offer
IT as an amendment to the free alcohol bill.
If that IL done II will greatly compNcate
the situation In the Senate.
The free alcohol bill has been referred
to the committee on finance. where all
tariff bills are considered. 1t will be placed
before the committee at Its next meeting
on Tuesday and will probably be discussed
tneI 10 see now the committee VIEWS IT.
The republicans of the finance committee
are we'll known to be stand patters and
they have resisted suggestions for any
change of the tariff schedule Whether
they viii take that view Of the free alco-
hol bill Is to be seen.
There are members of the committee on
the republican side who are inclined to look
with favor on the proposition for securing
cheap alcohol to be used In the arts and In
manufacturing, but II is likely that there
will be many suggestions for changes In the
measure. 1t Is said the demand of manu-
facturers OF proprietary medicines and
druggists in favor of an amendment to the
bill, which will allow them to participate
| in the benefits of cheap alcohol, will have
advocates in the committee as well as in the
Senate. AS now framed. the bill provides
that all alcohol that Is to be used either as
a beverage or for consumption In medicine
shall continue to pay the high price. The
bill provides for the withdrawal from bond,
tax free. of domestic alcohol rendered unfit
for beverage or liquid medicinal uses by
mixture with suitable denaturing or poison
Ing materials
Unless 1t can be shown that this bin will
not involve any extensive discussion of the
tariff 1t seems quite likely that it will
committee until the present railroad rate
bill has been disposed Of II this debate
on the rate bill Is extended 1t may result
In opposition to reporting the alcohol bill
before the next session OF Congress
1t is generally believed by senators, how
ever, that there will be a strong pressure
on the part of advocates of this bill to
have 1t receive prompt attention In the
Senate At the same time II Is not be-
lieved that there will be any disposition to
permit It to interfere with the progress OF
the rate bill.