15 



COAL-TAR COLORS. 



Alcohol is used very extensively in the manufacture of dyes and 

 other by-products from coal tar. The utilization of coal tar is an 

 industry which has been almost exclusively monopolized by Germany, 

 owing, in the opinion of many, to the fact that the Germans early 

 recognized the importance of using alcohol free of tax in such indus- 

 tries. Whether or not this is the case may be open to some question, 

 but it appears probable that this industry can not be established 

 and flourish in the United States without the advantage of untaxed 

 alcohol. 



SMOKELESS POWDER. 



The manufacture of smokeless powder is one of the industries in 

 which tax-free alcohol is of the highest importance. Smokeless 

 powder consists essentially of cotton which is subjected to treatment 

 with sulfuric and nitric acids, whereby a certain quantity of oxid of 

 nitrogen is introduced into the cotton, altering its properties with- 

 out changing its appearance. The cotton thus treated is entirely 

 different in character from the natural, product. It burns with 

 great ease and, when confined, with explosive violence, giving off 

 practically no smoke and but few noxious fumes; hence for these 

 two reasons it is especially valuable. Before use it is necessary that 

 it be dissolved or at least reduced to a homogeneous, pasty mass. 

 For this purpose the solvents which are most employed are ether and 

 alcohol. Ether itself, as will be seen further on, is one of the products 

 made from alcohol, and hence alcohol becomes a dominant factor in 

 the manufacture of smokeless powder. If smokeless powder must be 

 made with alcohol on which the tax has been paid it can not be 

 profitably distributed for perhaps less than $1.25 or even more per 

 pound. If tax-free alcohol can be used the price can be reduced 

 more than one-half. In the smokeless powder made for Government 

 use under the present regulations the alcohol which is employed is 

 allowed to be used free of tax under supervision and thus the Govern- 

 ment secures the powder at a much lower rate than would otherwise 

 be the case. This, however, makes no difference to the Government, 

 since it might collect the tax on the alcohol and pay the larger price 

 per pound without any loss whatever. For the private consumer of 

 powders the case is quite different, as he is compelled to pay the higher 

 price when tax-free alcohol can not be used. 



VARNISHES, LACQUERS, ETC. 



One of the most important technical uses of alcohol is in the manu- 

 facture of varnishes and lacquers, where the gums which are employed 

 are necessarily dissolved in alcohol. This use of alcohol is extremely 

 important and affects a great many industries. 



269 



