Evening star., 1924-09-24
CURB ON DRUGGISTS
BY CONGRESS IS HIT
AssaiI Cramton Bill to Make
Dry Unit AII-PoWerfuI
in Enforcement.

More severe criticism of alleged
sharp" practice in Congress in the
adoption of certain legislation, fea-
tured this mornings session of the
sixteenth annual convention of the
National Association of Retail Drug
gistS, at Convention Hall, 5th and l.
streets. In calling the druggists of
the country to arms, amer pointing
out some of the alleged detrimental
efforts of members of Congress. K. c.
Brokmeyer, counsel. urged them to
demand of their congressman repre-
sentation of the America npeople.
The report of the Legislative com
mittee, read by Frank T. Stone, also
pointed to the alleged sharp prac-
tices. particularly in connection with
the so-called Cramton bill giving the
prohibition unit full authority over
enforcement. and without appeal to
the commissioner of internal reve-
nue..
Phone Company Raped.
Criticism of the telephone COM
panies in the matter of commissions
allowed druggists for pay station
service was contained in the report
of the telephone committee. presented
by Wilhelm Bodemann, and in the
discussion which followed.
SO important is the legislative sit
uation considered, SO far as 1t con
Germs the druggists. that additional
time is being allowed this afternoon
for full discussion and A threshlng
out Of the problems involved.
There never has been a time in
American history when the pharma-
cjsts of the country have been con-
fronted with so many serious dangers
affecting their liberty as citizens, Mr..
Brokmeyer said. He attributed this
condition to the Indifference of the
American people to the making and
enforcement OF their laws Asserting
that he was making no threats and
was asking no favors, he said tina
nc was going TO demand the rights
of the druggists under the laws. and
in so doing is going to render
service to the American people.
Wants Bill Recalled.
He urged his hearers to write i'm
mediately TO their Senator's demand
ing d recommittal of the Cramton bill
to the Senate judiciary committee for
a hearing. He pointed out that il
was rushed through at the last min
ute under the plea that it was neces-
sary to place the prohibition enforce
ment unit under the civil service
If food should not be taxed medi-
cine should not be taxed. said the re-
port of the legislative committee,
which pointed out that the tax on
medicinal alcohol was retained be-
cause the argument that the repeal
encouraged bootieggerS appealed to
means committee. which is dry by
large majority. The National Associ-
alton of Retail Druggists replied that
cheaper alcohol would discourage
'bootlegging, because tho incentive
for 'bootlegging is the high price of
bootleg whisky, made from alcohol"
The report went at length into the
narcotic situation. pointing out that
the enforcement of this law should
be- divorced from the prohibition en-
forcement. One is prohibitory, while
the other is regulatory. the report
added
The report referred to the repeal
of the so-ca1led nuisance taxes. point
ing out that it saved s1o,nno.ooO an
nually to the American people. After
dealing at grea length with the
Cramton bill. the report said:
TT is now on the Senate calendar
with a favorable report from the
Senate judiciary committee, obtained
in the closing days of the last ses-
sion of Congress through sharp prac-
tice and without notice to the drug
trade and pharmacy and all other in
terests concerned"
The report charged that the bill
was really drawn by Wayne s.
Wheeler, general counsel Of the Anti
Saloon League, and said il was got
ten through the House because il
was made a straight wet" and dry"
issue
The druggists are opposed only to
the manner of enforcing the national
prohibition art and not opposed to
the act itself" says the report All
they ask is what the law itself sane
tlonS-the use of alcohol and other
liquor for medicinal and industrial
purposes. The Commissioner of In
ternal Revenue has seen fit to allow
this; the National Prohibition Com
mission, under the influence of IA
natical prohibitionists. has not seen
fit to do SO. The Cramton bill elimi-
mates the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue. This is why the fanaticaI
prohibitionists had the Cramton bill
introduced and why they are moving
heaven and earth to have it passed
by Congress.
Retailers' Bloc Suggested.
The American Congress does not
represent the American people nor
o.
but, under the bloc system, il rem
resents the welfare of the group of
people, business. or otherwise. which
sends them there. John w. Gamble.
Omaha banker, told the druggists
Yesterday afternoon. He added that
the retailers would have to work
more with their Legislators and get
bloc to protect them and work for
them as woman suffragists. prohibi-
tionists, big business and others had.
Laws, he said, are not made today
with consideration as to whether
they are good for the people as a
whole, but for group.
The Congress, he said, passes,
principally. class legislation, and 1t
Is about time retail druggists began
to organize and get some of it them
selves.
Mr.. Gamble was speaking on III,
methods of business today as com
pared with 25 years ago. He told
the druggists that more and more
they would have to operate small de-
partment stores, and would have to
adopt methods which would allow,
them to compete with big interests
or go out of business.
He gave examples of how they
must go, out after business citing
cases in his own bank. Do things
differently, he said, adding that some
of the different things that his bank
had done were so bad that they were
good. The retail druggist must find
out more about his territory and his
customers, and more and more must
use the methods of the mail -or der
houses.