The New York herald., 1921-07-31

''ought TO do one OF two things. They
ought either TO take their prisoners TO
a hospital for treatment or they should
see that doctors are at hand in the
Tombs and other places OF detention to
give emergency treatment The wards
in Bellevue Hospital ought to be opened
othe addicts. OF course the hot weather
has something TO do with the condition
of the addicts. but that is all the more
reason why they should receive consider
ation."
DR.. Ernest S. Bishop was equally en-
phatic in stating that dope takers who
are arrested should have immediate med
icai attention, and not have their sup
ply of the drug abruptly cut Off
'grhe whole trouble is" said DIR.
Bishop, that the drug situation IN this
city is being handled on g generaiized
basis, and a falsely generalized one at
that An attempt is being made TO place
every drug taker under the criminal
ella ssification. Addicts differ just as
much as other classes of people.
TT is not a matter Of public knowl-
edge. but II should be. that the proper
ton OF drug addicts who are members
OF the so-cailed underworld is reckoned
at something like 10 per cent. The over
whelming mess of drug takers are not
in the criminal classes az all. although
they may become criminal There are
experts who have been working twenty
five years toward a solution of this orug
problem. and now we are being treated
10 the spectacle of misguided authorities
who think they can solve 1t In a day or
two simply by clapping all drug takers
in jail"
Or. Simon replied last night to the
Kings County Grand Jury's action with
a statement in which he declared Judge
MacMahon to be unfamiliar with the
new amendment, pointing out that It
provides for hospital treatment OF ad-
diets. He also said that the amendment
is local regulation and not part OF
the state law. .-,zcs,...sv .--,:zcs. ..sv .,.a,....
only endeavoring to control the drug
situation. but Is also clearing New y orN
of many men with long criminal rec
ords. 1t is also preventing crime, De-
cause the daily drug dosage Is so Pro-
hibtive in price that many or these au-
diets must become criminals In order 10
get the money"
: Dr. Simon. in reference to Otto
Thompson's death, said drug cure rec
ords show no instance OF man dying
because OF drug removal.
The addict who died was Otto Thomp-
son. 81, Of 3 Bowery, n dishwasher VINO
YVES out of employment. He was: taken
to Police Headquarters from the Chnton
street station yesterday. morning, after
his arrest Friday afternoon at Rivvngton
and Chrystie streets by Detective Shan
del, of the narcotic division. Thompson
had with him when he was arrested two
small walls of heroin. valued at W. an
addict's ration for one day. wnicn ne
no ho,,oht with the Last money he nad.
Members of the narcotic division IN
commenting upon Thompson's death said
the heat affects drug add!cts when they
are deprived of drugs any length OF
time and that Thompson probably had
been without drugs for some time. Dr.
Hoffman of Gouverneur Hospital, VINO
examined the dead man, thought ms
weakness from taking drugs coupled
with the heat had caused his death.
The three men who collapsed s,, were
John Holley. John Berthwick ana VIII
lam Robertson. who with others were
on their way to Welfare Island. Ihey
had been taken from the Tombs Tor