The morning call., 1893-05-19
OPIUM TO BOYS.
How the Chinese Retail
the Drug.
A "CALL" MANS DISCOVERY.
Raiding Horrible Secret Dens Where
Lads Are Lured to &c Hit the
Pipe''-An Arrest.

Opium in any quantity is being sold to
boys-and by Chinese.
The constituencies Mongols retail the
poison at nominal prices and conceal their
horrible trade by locating in out-of-the-
way places, by having a code of signals.
passwords, etc.
few months ago THE CALL exposed
the disreputa0l ole manner in which boys
were corraled in underground dens in
various places in the city, and taught all
that was necessary TO start them on the
road to ruin and misery.
The resorts described were shielded un-
der the name of being Temperance
Halls" and though they had been carried
on for years in such an underhand manner
their existence was finally terminated
through the strenuous efforts of a lew h2v-
Ing the welfare of humanity at heart.
by aoollShing these dens of infamv it
was thought that the youngsters would be
checked in their downward path, but un-
fortunately many of San FrancSco's boys
nave fallen prey to the bad example held
before them by the Chinese element, and
in defiance of law and against all moral
decency, are being lured into opium dens
ana taught that vice which has dragged
down so many weak young men.
A few days ago. in talking with mes
senger- boy, CALI. reporter learned that
certain ''j0ints," as he called them, were
selling opium TO all who desired it. prUvid-
ing they were acquainted with the pass
word, which was necessary to gain admit
tanee. He further stated that nOther buy,
about 10 years of age. had recently invited
him to 'hit the pips," and believing him
to be lestlng he had consented.
They had then proceeded to a Chinese
place on Stevenson street where the drug
Is sold, and on knocking twice and then
rubbing the hand on the door 1t was opened
The boy entered. and after remaining
lew moments, returned with Il small shell
of opium. for which he had paid 10 cents.
He nvited the other lad to have smoke
with him, but the messenger fatty re-
fused.
ms information was given to Secretary
HolbrOok uf the Society for the Proven
tion of Cruelty to Children, who detailed
Officers Wells and Christy to accompany
TIE CALL reporter. and last night the
trio made successful investigation into
the alleged unlawful business being carried
on south of Market street.
In order to gain testimony to convict it
was necessary TO enter the places and buy
a small amount of the drug. The reporter
consented to do this part of the business,
while the officers stood outside to be ready
In case Uf an emergency.
The necessary knock and scrape was
given and the door opened, admitting the
bogus fiend, who found himself surrounded
by darkness. a dim light WIS soon visi-
bic behind n cage.like FRAME guarding the
counter, which was on the opposite side of
the wooden partition dividing the room,
which was hardly i've feet square,
A Mongolian head appeared on the
other side of the cage, and when asked for
10 cents worth of 'China nut-oil"-as the
drug is known among the do es-he ex-
amlned the stranger very closely for sew
eral moments and answered, You no
smoke opium; no sabee you," and several
like remarks which showed that unless
one belongs to the ring it was almost i'm
possible to purchase the poison.
In spite of assurances that he was all
right ana that he had bought opium there
several times previously. the reporter was
not successful, but was given to under
stand that If member of the gang
would Introduce him ii would be all right.
From here The trio walked to 2471b
Mlnna street, where, in basement below
p Chinese laundry, another similar den is
carried on. The interior is similar 10 that
of the one on Stevenson street, and the
same performance was gnne through but
with more successful issue, for All Joe,
as the heathen calls himself, made up
small package of opium and presented it
to the reporter, for which 10 cents was
paid.
An Joe smiled and the reporter made
HiN eAlt, III return Il moment later Win the
officers, who demanded an admittance into
the rear part of the partition, which was
at first refused. On further consideration.
however, the alarmed Mongol called a
companion from tire laundry upstairs.
But by the time he arrived an entrance
was forced into what proved to be a
fully equipped opium-smoking den. with
the usual mating couches and display of
pipes.
All Joe smiled no more, but when told
to get ready to go to jail he drew a long
sigh Of disgust and declared that he had
applied for a license several times, but
was refused. He admitted having sold
opium for several years to all who de-
sired it.
While he WAS dressing three different
callers applied for the drug, but his COM
panlon shouted, "Too late now, bows:
goodnight" and one who happened to
spy the officer made very hasty exit and
aScended the stairs as though he were pur-
sued by mad dog.
On reaching Folsom-street station the
heather deposited 500 bail and was re.
leased from custody to appear or not. as
the case may be, this morning for trial.
IL IS expected the other dens will be
raided in the near future. and the dusky
heathens who are so lnring boys and young
men into lives OF misery, destitution and
crime will be dealt with as they deserve.