The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-03-06
A Test of Strength


for time has drawn the cheat that will be poured
on the plan to d ethyl alcohol power purposes
from agricultural products which is to be investigated by the
senate committee agriculture While extensive research
has been conducted for several by various agencies OF
this possibility of using agricultural products practical
y publicity has been the research the practical
experiments by responsible agencies in the of gasoline
with certain percentages of alcohol which
practice in nearly every European country and required by
law in most of them.
Senators Norris of Nebraska and Gillette of Iowa will
more than likely be on the committee which will conduct
investigation this augs we'll for thoroughgong
the results of the investigation will not be hushed
# certain that the major oil companies will do everything
power hamper the research of the committee This
would be natural thing for them to do as they did some
years ago when the proposal began attract attention be-
the of the experiments made in Illinois and
Iowa.
In Illinois, in 1885, the Illinois Agricultural Association
reported have distributed approximately 100000 gallons
1919 blend of alcohol to the general public for test
purposes and report Report blanks given to each
chaser reports for the blend
in and analysis of them brought out the following
points:
"Out of total customers reported
ng CTS increased acceeraon $40 reported smooth
operaon 673 reported less knock 678 reported power
683 reported general performance of the motor better
7O9 reports indicate that the trade will premium of
per gallon for 1919 alcohol blend
With the technique employed in producing ethyl alcohol
from grain in the early l93O the estimates OF those VINO
conducting experiments that buhe of wheat
produce 2 gallons of ethyl alcohol Corn will produce
per bushel; other grains and potatoes less
This writer received letter today from farmer of high
standing Montana who became interested in the blending
with gasoline at the time extensive experiments along
that being carried out at the Agricultural College
Ames While the letter not written for publication,
the liberty of printing small portion of it without disclosing
the writer's taken it tells succincty real story
Through another farmer, dead who had become inter-
eed in the subject he received three gallons of alcohol dis
titled bushel of Marquis wheat The who had
uucu distilled it, claimed that with large unit
dslaion bushe of wheat should produce three and
half gallons of ethyl alcohol The correspondent states
that when mixed with low test white gasoline basis of
about percent of alcohol have the anti
properties that ethyl lead has, with much freer
ming motor Later in his letter. he states that I'm 1881
L. D. H. Marquis wheat for Is cents per bushel
and paid % cents gallon for low test white gasoline with
which to harvest wheat"
Every experiment made and all practical tests conducted
by unpreuced echncans and research agencies show that
feasible and advantageous to alcohol blend for
fuel However, has been stated before, powerful
opposition such proposal to be expected AS the
alcohol blend to supplant etra ethyl lead in gasoline will
directly threaten the monopoly ownership of that product by
Standard Oil and General Motors all the heavy guns will
be trained the proposal And while the other major oil
companies who ncked for heavy license fees for the
ethyl lead in their products not feel exaordnar
friendly toward the monopoly for Them they will
by the possible substitution of something for
percent of their product and will join the
The should be vitality interested in the pro-
posa 1t would out the mounting surplus of grain
the necessity of cuaed production Planning
concerted drive in support of the committee in it's
work. active militant support for the legislative pro-
poas utilize grain which almost certain be made
by the committee should be undertaken Moreover advance
should be made to bring the manufacture of ethyl al
coho motor fuel into the cooperative movement
it is legalized One possible by-produc of the
of ethyl alcohol from grain stock food rich
tens such manufacturing plants be benefit
to Montana farmers?
And certainly the labor organizations should be interested
the promotion of industry providing opportunities
And comparatively organized and operated all
of the people will share in the benefits.
II