The Washington times., 1923-05-03
SEES HOPE
IN WORLD
PACT.
Pledges Her Life to Fight Curse
Which Killed Her Famous
Husband.

Wnen the JoFTIDlS III uS' CNAl AC~
moved an outstanding idol of the
screen world it created at the
same time an implacable foe-a
woman whose avowed purpose IN
life is to crush the vicious habit
which medical authorities assert
has over 100000 addicts in the
United States.
The woman is Mrs. Wallace
Reid, who is today in Washington
after travelling more than 5000
miles to deliver a message to the
Anti-Narcotic Conference now in
session at the Willard Hotel.
The woman is Mrs. Wallace Reid,
who is today in Washington after
travelling more than 5000 miles to
deliver a message to the Anti-Nar-
cotic Conference now in session at
the Willard Hotel.
Seeks to Arouse Public.
No one can doubt her sincerity
in this fight, and she realizes that it
is to be long, bitter struggle-that
can be pointed toward success
only when lethargic public con-
science has been aroused.
II have no doubt that my motives
will be misconstrued in this cam
paign,'' said Mrs. Reid to Times
reporter in a7 interview at the Will
lard today. Some people have been
unkind enough to believe that 1 am
capitalizing misfortune. / should
not have the courage to go on were
/ to be distressed by such thought
less and cruel judgment, and the
comforting thought to me in the cir
cumstances is that hundreds of
homes will be saved the heavy hand
of affliction that touched me If my
mission is successful"
Dorothy Davenport Reid is stiIl a
young woman, gifted with, natural
charms that fit her for the screen,
in which calling, incidentally, she
earned her livelihood before she met
her lamented husband. She is re-
luctant to talk of the tragedy that
staIked so pathetically into her life,
but when she speaks of her purpose
to devote her future to narcotics
suppression there is a firmness
about her mouth, a look in her eye
and such grim determination in her
manner, it betokens answering
fealty to what she believes is a
noble cause.
This is my first visit to Wash.
ington," said Mrs. Reid, land also
my first interview here" she added
with a rather sad smile. II really
should love to spend a long visit
here and while I will be on my way
back to California within a few
hours, / intend to come again soon
purely for sightseeing. The wealth
er, indeed reminds, me of Holly
wood"
1,5OO, 900 Addicts i'm u. S.
How do you feel the average
person, the great preponderance of
the American public can be enlisted
in this fight?' was asked.
That is what makes the prob
lem stupendous," Mrs Reid replied.
'Whilet there are more than 1,5OO,-
900 drug addicts in the United
States, only rarely does the average
person came in contact with the
evil. 1t is largely a secret vice.
Almost everybody has had a per-
sonal contact or seen the evil of
1ntemperance, and the dipsomaniac
is no novelty. But so many people
say, oh, / never saw a drug fiend
and ] think this thing is all exag-
gerated. These are the people who
must be reached. When we arouse
the people, then we can arouse the
nations, awaken the world: and,
after all, if this problem is ever
going to be solved permanently it
must be by international action by
the powers Of the world.
Il think, of course. that the news
papers are the greatest and most
powerful force that one can enlist
in this as in every great problem.
The tremendous force of the Hearst
publications is wonderful. AS a
secondary adjunct feel that the
screen and the spoken word are of
inestimable value. 1t is amazing to
realize the number of people who
rarely read a newspaper but go to
the picture shows. We need these
people as well as the intellectuals.
We must reach them by the screen.
Now it is obvious that they will
feel is propaganda; it must supply
entertainment as well if it is to
impress the lesson. Once we have
awakened a majority of these peo-
pie. we can look for action from
the nations that will be- really con.
structive in the movement for sup:
preston"
Certain Evil Can Be Crushed.
You are absolutely convinced that
the drug evil can be eliminated?"
Mrs. Reid was asked.
Il was never more certain of any
thing in my life" she replied with
emphasis. You know / have an
abiding faith in the goodness of the
masses. ] think everybody wants
to think right and live right. That
they all don't is largely a matter of
environment and circumstances.
Those who have been unfortunate
enough to become slaves to a vicious
habit deserve pity and not censure.
] feel that when the people really