Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-02-07
KANE AND LEDERER SAY
DOPE EVIL SHOWS NO
GROWTH IN THIS CITY
Federal Officials Deny Director
Krusen's Allegation of
Alarming Increase
Here
PRAISE HARRISON A G T

EmphIsSs denlals of the statem, VS.
made by Director Krusen. of the Depart
ment of Public Health and Charities, that
the Harrison anti-narcotc act, which aims
to reduce the Illegal use of drugs mas not
accomplished its purpose in Philadeiphla'
were made today by United States Attor-
ney Francis Fisher Kane, Collector OF
Internal Revenue Lederer and other Gov
ernment officials who have been instru-
mental in the enforcement of the law
Execution also was taken to Director
Krusens statement: There are more VIC
tins OF the dope habit in Philadelphia at
present than before the passage or the
act" and that "even drug users are SAID
to admit that narcotics are more easily
obtainable now than before"
"If Director Krusen has not been mis-
quoted" Mr.. Kane said, II feel sure that
he is mistaken. In regard to his state
ment OF the prevalence of narcotics,
firmly believe that quite the contrary Is
true do not say that the Harrison anti
narcotic act has stamped out the evil. but
unquestionably it has done great deal
of good"
Mr. Kane explained that the price Of
drugs sold "under cover had gone up
since the act went into effect. I'VE are
certainly making ii more difficult TO get
drugs" Mr. Kane said, 'and we are
cutting off at least a certain crop OF
habitues We have heard Of men recent
ly boasting that they could get drugs now
il they had sufficient money which only
shows that a narcotic blockade Is being
inforced.
director Kruscn is quoted as saying
that 80 per cent of the dope users known
| to the police are young women between
| the ages of IS and % years Women
who get narcotics Illegally do so, how
ever, not only at their own risk, but at
the risk of the peddler, and even at the
risk of a messenger who should happen
/ to carry the drug
II am heartily in favor of the State
supplying some proper facilities for the
need of the dope victims. Conditions at
| the City Hospital certainly are made
| uuate. | also think that there must be
| some way OF keeping drug habitues under
/ supervision and restraint before We can
eradicate the evil, | wish to add that in
no way do | mean or wish TO criticize
Director Krasen."
Collector OF Internal Revenue I.ederer
who is a member of the Narcotic Com
mittee formed recently for the uplifi
and betterment of drug users and
headed by Edward Box, editor of the
Ladies' Home Journal. said that the In
ternal Revenue Department had every
proof that drugs were more difficult to
get now than prior to the enactment
of the Harrison act
Drug users come into this office or
many occasions and ask to be sent tC
the hospital" Mr., Lederer said. "IT
other words, drug habltues find II mort
difficult every day to get narcotics"
Both Mr.. Kane and Mr.. Lederer denied
that the drug situation here was a bloi
on the good name OF Philadelphia. a!
Director Krusen was reported to have
stated philadelphia Is no worse thar
any other large city in that respect" Mr.
Kane said. ut probably Is better thar
quite a few cities. FOR one thing, Phila
delphia does not talk as much as Chi
cago, for instance, and l think that 1
mistake. There seems to be a spirit o
cowardice here when II comes to tn
exposing OF vice.