Amador ledger., 1907-02-15

Cal1ornla IN the matter of ridding
our orchards of destructive pests.
The OrnithologicaI and Audubon
societies of California on Monday
telegraphed senator Perkins their
opposition to the proposed abolition
of the biological bureau of the de-
partment of agriculture, and when
the agricultural approximation bill
came up yesterday strong fight
was made to restore the appropriation
for that bureau. The work of the
bureau is the study of birds and ami
mails in their relation to horticulture
and agriculture, and has been pro-
ductive of much benefit to California
farmers as we'll as to those in other
parts of the Union. After a lively
debate an appropriation of Sl4, 420
was granted. The sum of $3.50, ,OO0
was allowed for eradicating cattle
ticks.
| A compromise has been arrived at
in the house on the amendment to
the denatured alcohol bill, which
will undoubtedly pass, and which Will
place 1t in the. power of farmers or
com binations of farmers or other
persons to manufacture alcohol in
samll quantities from the refuse
which would otherwise go TO waste.
At all distilleries having a capacity
not exceeding one hundred proof
| fgalloon per day, cisterns or tanks
may he used in lieu of distilIery
bonded warehouses, the pToprietors
furnishing bonds and proceeding
under such regulations as the com
missioner of internal revenue may
direct. In order to give time to pre-
pare the necessary regulations the act
if passed-wilI not go into effect
until September l, 1908. When these
small distilleries are authorized, al
cohol may be produced on farms,
orchards, and ranches from grain,
fruits, roots, ETC., sound or unsound,
or the refuse thereof. Culis, waste,
and by-products OF all kinds can be
thus utilized. Some of the products
of the farm which can very prolitaDIy
be utilized in making alcohol are
sugar beets, potatoes, sorghum,
retuse molasses from sugar beets,
cactus, plums, loquats, persimmmons,
ounces, oranges, seeds. peach kernels.
apricot kernels prune pits, plum
pits, aud the waste matter from can
ming factories. 1t will be seen that
the privilege of making alcohol i'll
small quantities will be of very great
value to all parts of California.
Last year congressman Kahn intro
duced in the house a bill granting
$1,000 to the widow and minor son of
sum to the widow and minor children
of Thomas j. .Hennessy, both mem bers
of the San Francisco fire department,
who lost their lives while fighting the
fire in the hold of the United States
transport Meade. The bill was passed
by the house and went to the senate
committee on claims. A few days ago
chiefShaughnessy of the SanFrancisco
fire department wrote to senator Per-
kins concerning the bill and the SEN
ator at once interviewed Senator Full
ton, chairman of the committee. to
see why action had not been taken.
Yesterday senator Fulton informed
the California senator that the bill
would be taken up Immediately and
reported faorabIy as soon as a report
could be prepared. When reported it
will be urged to passage, and will un-
doubtedly be passed, giving to the
families of the two brave men the re-
left tnat is due them.
The question of California stone for
federal buildings in the state has
again been called to the attention of
the supervising architect of the treas
ury, who has written to senator Per-
kins stating that in contracts for such
work the specifications never call fol
material from any given section. Cali
ornia bidders have always been free to
bid on the products of their quarries
In regard to the postoitice and court
house ID Los. Angeles, for which no
material has yet been selected, the
supervising architect states that he
has long been endevoIing to obtain
limestone or sandstone of suitable
color; for in order that there may be
a reasonably good architectural effect
it is absolutely necessary that the su-
perstruoture be built of a llght-col-
ored stone. Colusa sandstone is being
urged, but he thinks it is of a color
which could not under any circum-
stances be termed light.
The river and harbor bill which was
reported to the house last Saturday,
contains many items of great interest
to California. The principal item IN
the bill, the appl opriation for Oak
land harbor, has already been referred
hO' AhC dppIOpI ldblOu VI SOOI, OuO IL
sures the extension of the south jetty
five hundred feet, and the widening
and deepening of the harbor to meet
the demands of commerce. For I'M
proving San Diego harbor $40, 900 was
appropriated; improving Wilmington
harhor sl1, 600; improving San Luis
Obispo harbor S63, ,660; improving
humboldt harbor $50. 900; improving