The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-05-28
CURB USE OF A DRUG
COCAINE CURSE BROUGHT TO THE
NOTICE OF CONGRESS.
American Health League Makes Re-
quest for Control of the Deadly
Stuff; Efforts Are Backed BY the
People; ProhibitOry Tariff Is
Asked to Put Stop to the
Plague; Reply of Senators.
Especial to The Free Press.l

New York, May 25.-Calling upon
congress for a form of tariff protec,
ton that will guard all American
homes from the ravages of the CO.
caine habit, thousands of medical men,
philanthropic workers and the prin-
cipal drug houses in this city are
supporting the recommendation of
the American Health league for
federal control of the deadly drug
Only by placing a prohibitory duty
upon the foreign cocaine with which
the illegal distributors are now sup
piled in defiance of all state laws can
the growth of drug dives throughout
the country be checked, the leaders of
the movement declare. From every
section of the land reports nave been
received showing that the people are
ready to demand of their represen-
tatives in Washington this relief from
the vice and crime that is spreading
unchecked with. the free supply of CO.
caine from abroad.
The legitimate Proportion.
consumed in the United States last
year was devoted to legitimate uses,
experts are prepared to show congress,
while the other half of the total
sales of this drug was covertly sup
piled to the dens of, the .dope fiend"
which are rapidly, increasing. While
the American manufacturers and whole
salers are. refusing ito pander to the
increasing demands of the Illicit CO.
caine distributors and can be held ac-
countable by state and local authOri-
ties for their sales, absolutely no hold
can be taken on the underground
supply of the drug from abroad, it is
shown. Coca leaves from which the
drug victims may extract a form of
cocaine with which to meet their crav
ing are now free of duty and easily
available, it is also pointed out.
Presented Peoples Claims.
Backed by philanthropic organiza-
tions and individuals throughout the
country, the leaders of this move
ment have already presented to the
finance committee of the senate at
Washington the peoples claims for
protection against the inroads of the
cocaine curse. A prohibitory tariff of
$3.50 an ounce on the foreign supply
of the drug is being urged as well as
duty of five cents pound on the
coca leaves, which will give Uncle
Sam a hold upon their distribution.
1t is also proposed to place an inter
nal revenue tax upon this drug and
to require its manufacturers to be
bonded and licensed by the govern
ment. The placing of a special revenue
stamp on every package of cocaine,
with the record required to be kept of
its quantity and purchaser, the auth
critics declare. will result in the speedy
restriction of the illegal traffic in the
drug.
That the senate leaders have up to
this time refused to consider their
claims, on the ground that they were
''not concerned with the nations NOR
ais was asserted today by leaders of
TINS crusade against the cocaine evil.
When the people of every part of the
country are alive to this chance to
check the spreading drug plague, how
ever, every one of their representatives
at Washington will be urged to its
immediate consideration, it is believed