New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-09
Walker lauds Measure.

Walker lauds Measure.
IL opening the debate Mr. Walker said
that the principal objections 90 the bin
had been removed. and that Is now was
satisfactory 10 the best men I'm the medi-
cal profession. lie declared It's purpose
was Co prevent the use Of ono % the most
dangerous habit-forming drugs lie said
that committees from the Academy of
Medicine and the New York County Modi-
cal Society had conferred with Assistant
District Attorney Deiehanty concerning
the bin and had conceded that lie had
drafted n satisfactory measure.
Both Or. Bush and Or Nolk accused
him later of making misstatement. Say
that the medical profession was against
the bill.
"Do YOU mean to say that there were no
conferences between this committee and
the Assistant District Attorney" asked
tho introducer OF the bill.
Not since the amendments were made"
replied Dr. Volk
II put no date On tho conference" re-
tortcd Mr.. Walker.
Or. Nolk held that tho bill a. amended
did not meet tho objections OF the ply
sicians
1T is merely directed against the doc
tors" he said. 1T rs prosecuting and
clamping down the I'D on them"
lie objected TO the provision that the
nature Of the aiImcnt of person for
whom medicine containing cocaine was
prescribed should Ice placed IN records re-
CURED to be- nicd. 10 said this violated
the right OF privacy between patient and
physician. lie called attention TO other
provisions which nc held would only have
the effect Of allowing the indiscrimlnato
spreading around of prescriptions con-
tanning cocaine lie did not believe that
there were many crooked doctors. but
said II there were there would be nothing
30 prevent them from fostering the uso Of
cocaine.
Doctors Objections Ridculed.
Mr Walker sat up with start when
he heard this statement. In Nok. in
saving that" hc declared. makes him
self as ridiculous ss lac Is accidental iu
this House. Ia discussing this bill ho
shows about as much intelligence IA
though he had copy OF the highway law
IN front of him"
The physician Assembyman broke into
protest against remarks which ne termed.
Of personal character" Mr.. Walker,
however. continued his rapid fire attack
on the arguments ~ the physician.
The conditions in this state from the
use OF cocaine arc terrible he said.
Few people who have not make study
Of them realize how bad they arc. even In
the very district where Or. Nok comes
from. In fact. ! have better right 10
accuse him of Interior motives I'm fighting
this bill FOR the purpose Of protecting
cocaine fiends who prey on little children
than he has OF accusing mo Of making
misstatcments.
you doctors say we are on the right
track. that something ought TO lo done 10
stop the cocaine habit evils. but win YOU
give me one reason why the physicians
have offered no solution OF the problem?
Instead OF doing anything 10 help along
the situation you are picking flaws in this
bill OH tcchnicalltios. and at the same
time smiling at the devastation which
the cocaine habit rs causing among the
human family. Your position may be
laudable, but I'm glad II is yours, not
mine"
Speaking OF the legitimate use OF CO.
caine by physicians, Mr.. Walker declared
that IL was well known fact that the
drug had no curative powers, that IT was
simply n local an;esthetic, and the best
physicians said the human race would be
better off If none of 1t were ever used
again Mr. Walker called attention TO
the Inconsistency OF those who objected
10 tho bill on the ground that IL would
prevent them from getting "A certain
asthma cure containing cocaine. saying
they would have e. leave the state "
they could not get Il.
Says Law Helps Asthma Sufferers.
do those people realize" he said. that
now they arc violating tho law when they
purchase any medicine containing cocaine
without "a doctors prescription? You can
see their Inconsistency. We have amended
this law to help these asthma sufferers
Among them arc many prominent resi-
dents OF the state. including former
Judge OF tho Court Of Appeals. They use
the medicine for hay fever only during
the hay fever season
Such provision sold Dr. Yvk.
'woud only act as a locphole through
which the drug fiends can get cocaine"
Does DIR. Volk say that the people 1
have mentioned arc drug fiends?" asked
Mr.. Walker. ut Is no use. After that