The Washington times., 1929-02-23
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4 IN a report on the traffic
IA opium and other danger
drugs for the year 1929, is
sued by the United States
Treasury Department, narcotic
laws enforcement officials re-
veal an interesting cross-sec-
tion Of the Harrison act s
operation In the following
language:
Federal internal revenus
narcotic laws:
Violations, criminal (minor
or technical violations eK-
c!uded from this figure) re-
ported, $3.50.
Ceases tried in courts, 4,85o,
Convictions, Abs
"Acquittals, 112.
"Per cent convicted, 97.6.
Penalties:
Aggregate sentences i'm
posed, s,7S6 years, four months,
2s days.
Total fines imposed, $1s4,-
1880.
Ceases compromised, 1,22l
ETctal amount accepted in
eases compromised, $67, ,21o.95. ;"
No Reason Given
These are the Government 5
own figures. Because the mar
cotic division considers every
case compromised a closed Sec
ret, as provided by law, there
is no opportunity to learn just
why the United States col
lected $67, 900 from persons
who did not even go to court
when those who did stand trial
paid only $184,213.99.
DR.. Charles 3. Pinkham, Sec
retary of the State Board of
Medical Examiners in Cali
fornia, makes an additional
charge against the compromise
system.
Hindsrs the Law
"NOt only is the system Of
cash compromises a hindrance
to law enforcement and con-
troll of physicians who peddle
dope, but it can result in un-
fair charges against thoroughly
sthical physicians DR., Pink
ham told the Los Angeles Ex-
aminer Immediately after the
National Association of Medi-
cal Examiners passed strong
resolutions against the prac-
tice recently.
a narcotic agent or anybody can
now claim some doctor is violating
the Harrison narcotic law, go to him
and tell him II he Will make fair com.
promise. it will be sent is Wash
ington.
Doctors, entirely innocent ct
charge, have paid fine rauaer than
face scandal"
Scandal Follows
The story Of a small town doctor
who recently compromised with the
Federal Government. only TO find
4RSaf Af ~-s- t.
nuen6o, was disclosed by the Ex-
have been aired at recent meetings
Of the board in July, State agents
here say.
Federal officials, from the top
down, are powerless to eradite en-.
tirely this situation They point to
the provisions in the Harrison mar
cotic act that compel them to for.
ward TO Washington offers in com.
promise when made by alleged viola
tors.
Even after criminal indictments
have been returned by Federal grand
juries, offers in compromise can he
made and accepted, under the pres
ent law.
Revenue Measure
Narcotic division officials ADMIT
that the Harrison act is d revenue
measure AS worded, its primary
purpose is collection Of revenue and
only secondartly does it operate as a
punitive measure against the grizzly
menace Of dope:
Essentially, says United States
Attorney Anthony Savage, Of
Seattle, ''the Harrison act is de-
signed to upbuild the Internal Reve-
nue.. It is an income-producing 3
measure Otherwise it would be un-
constitutional.
''Secondarily the law Is puniti0e
In its eject in that It operates
to punish tra9fickers in drugs. but
primarily 1t is a revenue measure,
for the suppression of the dope
SVN is one of the police powers
8sE given to ths Federal Govern
naent under the ore could defend
tae practice Of accepting cash com
promises.
Wipes Slate Clear