New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-06

Church Of the Presentation, at Eastern
Parkway and st. Marks avenue, In the
heart Of Brownsville section, told
reporter for The Tribune last night
that he had heard Randolph's name
mentioned by the members OF boys
club he has formed, as seller.
Father Flynn has been an ardent
worker against the insidious growth OF
the cocaine traffic in his parish, and MS
campaign has disclosed to him that the
agents who promote it have not
scrupled to create demand for II
among children between thirteen and
seventeen years old.
II know Of at least 80 children be-
tween thirteen and seventeen years old"
said Father Flynn, who have been
habitual cocaine or heroin users. They
even carry II into their schoolrooms
concealed in hollow pencils and watch
cases. and, in some instances, in fake
bandages which were wrapped around
supposed cuts on their fingers"
The clergyman said that he had no
doubt whatever but that the coacaine
sellers, especially those who sold the
drug to young girls, were In league
with the agents Of the white slave
traffic.
II know that young girls have been
stupefied with the drug and then taken
to disorderly houses" he said, land
believe that the agents Of the white
slave traffic are behind the cocaine
traffic. Hanging is too good for these
wre.ches. God help the poor souls too
weak and the young minds too frail ia
grasp the terrible meaning of this habit
and its awful consequences"
Father Flynn has organized boys
club in his parish on non-denomina-
tional lines which now has three hun
dred members. Every one Of these
young fellows is pledged to report to
Father Flynn even the most apparently
tfifling suspicious circumstances which
he observes along the line Of cocaine
selling.
Priest Finds Boy stupsfisd.
Il have been able TO save young fell
lows, mere boys, and some girls be-
cause OF the help these reports from
my boys gave me-" said Father Flynn
Just n few nights ago / was told Of A
boy who was walking along the street
In half stupefied condition, and when
/ found him he had twelve decks OF
cocaine in his pockets. I took him to
my own physician, as I have taken
twenty children within the last few
months, and he is now under treatment
that will break the habit"
Cocaine Is being sold in candy stores
and small fruit stores as well as drug
stores in the Brownsville section, Fa-
Their Flynn said, and 1t will take the
most vigorous kind OF campaign TO
eradicate II.
Probably the most pitlable feature
Of this despicable traffic is the street
seller, who not only supplies the drug
to confirmed users, but also goes out OF
his way to induce young people, boys
and girls. to try II, so as TO make them
customers also" he said. Il have re-
coived complaints from parents that
their children seemed TO be dull In
their school work, and when / would
talk to the teachers about the cases
would be told that the teachers had
made up their minds that the children
had been kept up late at night, or mao
too many duties around the home.
Further investigation disclosed that
these backward children were cocaine
fiends, and In every case j found that
their first acquaintance with the drug
had come from a chance encounter
with one OF the street sellers, who had
induced them to try 1t once
Il congratulate The Tribune on It's
stand against the growth OF this evil
and nope the clergy Of all denomina
tions Will take the question up and
warn the parents OF their congregations
that they must guard their children
carefully against II"
Father Flynn said that he had re-
ceived hearty co. operation from Deputy
Commissioner Walsh, the head OF the
Brooklyn police, and from his lleuten-
ant, Mcdonald.