The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1916-05-25


applicant for position of technical expert in direct
connection with the enforcement of the Harrison
narcotic law.
So far as have been able to learn from skilled
chemists, the only product from decocainized
cocoa leaves, which the exemption at the end of
Section would affect, is known Merchandise
No. s." secret preparation produced only at
one chemical plant in New Jersey the entire out
put being controlled and taken by the Coca-Cola
Company and used in the manufacture of Coca
Cola.
What "NIerchandise No. 5" mayor may not
be 1 shall take up later, but, regardless of that
the words l have quoted from the law
ejoker" for the benefit of one corporation.
That corporation claims that Merchandise No
5" is used exclusively for '1ayor." Accepting
that statement for the sake of argument, we are
faced with the fact that one of the gravest and
most important of laws-one of the most vital
and officially revolutionary enactments of the
American Congress-carres Joker to preserve
the taste of so-called soft drink"
On the other hand if Merchandise No. 50
imparts narcotic effect-a cocaine effect to those
who imbibe it through Coca-Cola-it then,
through the last sentence of Section 6, be-
comes the only narcotic whose distribution is
not restricted under the Harrison law. In this
event, the Harrison narcotic law becomes a bust
asset for the Coca-Cola Company; this
''joker" then operates directly to the advantage
Of the said company and gives it a monopoly in
"dope"
If we admit, for purposes of discussion that
merchandise No. 5" does only impart a flavor,
and that the active principle of Coca-Cola is to be
drug, then the ''joker' still, though indirectly,
protects the distribution of habit forming drink.
Whatever the exact operation of this Joker"
may be, Eugene G. Brokmeyer attorney for the
National Association of Retail Druggists, at
torney for the Coca-Cola Company, is the man
most responsible for putting it there.
James f. Finneran, of Boston, Chairman Of
the Executive Committee of the National Associa-
ton of Retail Druggists, is the man most re-
sponsible for the engagement of Mr.. Brokmeyer,
attorney for the Coca-Cola Company, attorney
Motto Ne Dotoi hrIJ(I
Why might the Coca-Cola Company deem it
important to have one Of it's attorneys acting as
attorney and Washington representative for the
National Association of Retail Druggists?
Before the laws forbade, Coca-Cola made
with cocoa leaves with all the cocaine left in
Why this persistence in the use of cocoa leaves?
Why the labor, cost and risk of putting jokers
in the Harrison law, to exempt Merchandise No.
81 if not necessary to protect Coca-Cola from
classification as a narcotic drug?
Although today the druggists dispense large
amount of Coca-Cola it is but minor part OF
the total output. Numerous fountains in candy,
cigar and stationery stores sell quantities, and
the industry of bottling it has become enormous.
Bottling plants scattered over the country,
and from these it is going through grocery and
general stores into the homes in lots. It is
penetrating to the farms and mines in remote
sections, and the cumulative effects of its use
have been undoubtedly vastly increased through
consumption from bottles in the home, as COM
pared with sales by the glass in drug stores.
| have referred to the claim of it's defenders
that "Coca-Cola is just like coffee"
Then why do thousands go direct from the
breakfast coffee to drink glass after glass of
Coca-Cola at fountain? Why do they not stop
at restaurants for more coffee?
If it is "just like coffee" why do other thou
sands of coffee drinkers it in their homes
not only between meals but at the table with
9 coffee?
If it is ''just like coffee" how is it that nearly
every town or neighborhood has those who are
openly known as "Coca-Cola dopes," who drink
from five TO twenty glasses OR bottles per day
when among coffee habitues not one in hundreds
drink five cups per day?
Study the situation for moment, and you
will see its meaning.