Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1913-10-09
: AaMERs MAY MANUFACTURE
THEIR OWN FUEL
Senator Lanes Amendment to Tariff
Bill Provides This Privilege.

Under the terms OF Senator Lanes
amendment 20 the tariff Lill, every
farmer, if so disposed, can enter up
on the manufacture of denatured al
cohol after securing a permit from
the commissioner of internal revenue
in the treasury department. There
will be no restraint upon farmers who
care, in this way, to utilize the
waste products of their farms, for the
Lane amendment repeats those provi-
sions of the original denatured alco-
hol law which made it impossible for
farmers to make their own alcohol,
and not only that, the Lane amend
ment is so drawn that farmers may
manufacture their fuel without dan
ger of being interfered with by treas
ury department regulations.
Use for Waste Produce.
While the original law was passed
on the theory that it would permit the
farmer to manufacture alcohol from
his waste crops, such as windfall ap.
pies, defective fruit Of all kinds,
scrub potatoes, ETC., the regulations
adopted by the treasury departing mt
were SO stringent that no farmer
could afford to make his own alcohol.
The regulations required that alcohol
must be of $50 proof and this called
for a still costing $4,000 or upwards.
The result was that the denatured al=
cohol law operated in the interest
of the Standard Oil company and
other big fuel concerns, and did not
benefit the farmer in the slightest
degree.
TIE Lane amendment wipes out the
$50 proof provision, and allows the
farmer to manufacture alcohol Of
a y strength or weakness without
the payment of tax, provided his al
cohol is denatured before used. In
cases where farmers make their own
alcohol, and it is of low grade, they
will be expected to send it to central
where it will be re-distill-
ed and brought up to high grade, and
then denatured. Thus, the farmer
can build his own still, at the cost
of but a few dollars, if he desires,
or he can send his fruit to central
distillery, and get the alcohol made
from his products, as soon as distill-
cd and denatured.
Grange Plans Work.
The national grange, which was rep
at Washington during the
time the Lane amendment was pend
ing is already at work on plans for
inducing farmers in the various stat
IS to establish central distilleries for
crude alcohol made on
The farm, and for manufacturing al
,ohol from raw products brought in
by farmers, and information given
Senator Lane leads to the conclusion
hat the next season will see the
country studded with distilleries Of
his class. The grange, through It's
general officers, will work up senti-
nent among farmers in favor of
building up a large alcohol business,
Ind will encourage farmers to make
heir own fuel, or to save their waste
and have them converted |
nto alcohol at district distilleries. |
This campaign by the grange is to
over the entire country and every |
assistance in any way of information
IN the formation of districts, the in
tallation of stills and the manufac-
ure and denaturing of alcohol will
'e distributed by this organization.
Senator Lane thinks his amendment
will result in greatly reducing the
ost of living on farms, and will go
long way towards solving the far
ner's fuel problem.