Evening star., 1933-04-30

called upon again to help the
Government in the way OF
~ supplying additional revenues
If certain proposals are
adopted by Congress.
This added burden on motorists has
been turned down by State legislatures,
despite its possible aid to the farmers.
The proposal is to necessitate the
blending of gasoline with alcohol, or
the making of the humorously referred
to 'high-ball gasoline" While the
proposal is not called tax. it amounts
to the same thing in the minds Of the
motoring public. for the new fuel Ger
tainly would add to the costs Of opera
tion with doubtful individual benefit.
Subject Controversial.
The subject is most controversial
Using of the surplus grain crops is said
to be of a distinct advantage to the
farmers. But many officials believe
that it would only aid the growers OF
corn, for at the present time, it is alco-
hol made from corn that Is being con-
sidered. 1t is argued, therefore, that
the aid to corn growers would not be
sufficient to warrant increases in fuel
costs to other growers and to the vast
army Of automobile owners. The de-
preston and the multiple costs OF car
operation has already reduced the
numbers of machines in the Nation to-
day and it is thought that further up
keep costs will have the same trend.
Unquestionably the motorist pays
more than his share in aiding the
Governments revenue Golfers. An ad-
'ditional burden should be carefully con-
sidered.
Naturally the two schools of thought
upon the question have two leaders:
One the farmers who may benef1t ana
the other the oil companies VINO may
suffer. Aligned with the oil companies,
in this case, is certainly the motorist,
many of whom are operating now on
a small budget The question needs
the answer-like many others-what Is
the best thing for the greatest number?
Is the motorist really to become the
forgotten man?
Superior characteristics are claimed
for the new blended product, such as
better starting, acceleration, smooth
ness of operation, anti-knock, anti
carbon, greater power and better motor
performance.
Oil Company's Statement.
But one of the large petroleum COM
panies has something else to say. Tnls
company states, in part:
From the consumers standpoint,
the new fuel would be far from salts
factory. Fuel of this sort has been
tried out before and has caused re-
peated complaints of corrosion Of i'm
portant engine parts. faulty starting
and stalling The fact that 10 per cent
alcohol mixed with gasoline raises the
anti-knock value of the fuel and causes
an apparent smoothness in engine oper-
alton would be offset by the trouble that
would occur when the alcohol attacked
the shellac used in some cars to cover
carburetor floats or in gasoline gauges,
gaskets. and at other points where
gasoline-tight joint is required. Leaks
would inevitably result. and car opera
lion would be seriously impaired by
these troubles as we'll as by corrosion
and clogging of the small passages OF
carburetors and gasoline supply systems.
With the blended motor fuel, car own
ers would be paying at least cents
more for every gallon OF motor fuel,
end would be buying certain trouble and
Extremely uncertain advantages. To the
average owner of passenger automoblle
rising 500 gallons of motor fuel year,
this would mean paying SIS additional.
The 100000 owners of motor vehicles
on farms would also have to share In
To the petroleum industry, motor
eiel blended with alcohol would be high
" unsatisfactory, aside from the fact
that motor fuel consumers would be GER
ain to experience trouble with the new
blended gasoline.
Ordinary industrial alcohol, which
3ntains per cent Of water, will not
,ix with gasoline. In order to blend
tn gasoline, the alcohol must be prac-
-ally water free. Blending agents can
used to overcome this tendency, but
ch agents are more expensive than
cohol. Their use would not help the
2lmer, but would increase further the
est of his motor fuel and the entire
..otor fuel bill of the country.
Heavy Expense Seen.
The petroleum industry will be
,1l1ced under heavy expense to comply
r.th alcohol regulat ons and to supply
;.idltional storeg, and blending equip
rlent. The difficulty Of enforcing the
,,ropo-e6 1cvc ra1,lir;pp certain blend