The New York herald., 1922-03-19
Traffic in Dope Holds Big
Following Among Late
Club Reyelers.
ORIENTAL AGENTS ACTIVE
Cheap, Obscure Eating Places
Have Fashionable Guests
Seeking Shifts

Special Gable 70 THE NEW YoRK HERALD.
Copyright, 19ss, oy THE NEW York Herald.
New York Herald Bureau.l
London. March Is.
A spirited campaign against tho
traffic dope in fashionable night clubs
and obscure eating places in the West
End has revealed evidence that such
drugs as cocaine are fairly easy TO get
here and that the trade has an aston
ishing following, especially among the
evening dress and limousine riding
class. Just as the crusade nearly
three years ago followed the death OF
Billy Carleton. the beautiful young
actress, so the present agitation for
the suppression of the drug traffic is
the sequel TO the death OF Freda
Kempton. a beautiful young night
club dancer who was addicted to the
habit and took an overdose.
The press which has been denouncinS
Los Angeles and the American movie
colonies In general on account of their
dope orgies" ever since the murder
Of Film Director Taylor, has now turned
its attention to the home traffic and is
featuring the experiences Of reporters
sent on tours through the night llaunts.
where they claim to have discovered
drinking and dancing after the hours
permitted by law.
Drugs Supplied 10 Women.
The Kempton case Is only one OF a
series which have aroused the in
dignation of social workers This has
been followed by the arrest OF men sup
plying drugs. particularly to women.
many OF whom are wealthy and some
prominent in London life. and who have
their chauffeurs procure the drug for
them while they wait in their motors.
a popular method OF distribution dis
covered by the police Is carried on as
follows: a woman Rreets an agent as
friend. lie offers her a cigarette.
She accepts and II contains the desired
drug. Another trick is for the agent to
extend match box. The client lights
a real cigarette, but gets more han a
match.
Trading such as this has been going
on openly in dance clubs which are run
after midnight. according to the investi-
gators. In the early hours Of the morn
ing il Is even possible 10 obtain drugs
from the habitues Of nondescript break
dilv and SALISBURY avenue. which
now have a surprisingly fashionable
patronage.
An International Traffic.
Again. Oriental agents are accused OF
being the most active in distributing the
dope. but Investigations are being made
70 run down an International ring ~
traffickers who are supposed practically
10 control the trade in Paris. Bondon
and the larger American cities II
Is alleged that nearly the entire sup
ply here Is smuggled through the dock
ing district with the Chinese in the
I.imehouse district passing 1t on 70 more
suave Egyptians and Indians working In
Piccadnly and West End circles.
Several arrests have been made. In
one case a blind man was caught in the
art OF giving girls cocaine In popular
restaurant during dinner, but no person
who might be q leader in tho ring has
yet been trapped.
The police have long been active IN
supprcssing the so-called clubs, 70 which
any one learning the ropes can gain adj
mittance and which are selling liquor
after closing hours. There have been
frequent raids and many arrests, but tho
businesses shift quickly and seem 10
carry their customers with them.
The tawdry dance halls draw a curious
mixture Of street refugees, silk hated
men and silk gowned and beJeweiod
women London Is bright enough
said one police inspector during the
brighter London" campaign, but the
brightness must be found in the dark
streets behind heavy curtains"