Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-24
WHEELER CHARGES
PURE FOOD LAX|TY
Campbell Angered by Criti-
oiSm of Ginger and Popular
I Drink Regulation.

caustic criticism of the Department
Of Agriculture's pure food and drug
section for alleged laxity in taking pre-
ventive measures during the recent out
break of ginger jake" paralysis and
in controlling the sale Of popular
soft drink containing caffeine and what
was described as theoretical quanti-
ties of a cocaine derivative was voiced
today by Senator Wheeler, Democrat
dry" of Montana, at hearing be-
fore the Senate agriculture committee.
The attack by Senator Wheeler re-
neatedlv drew fire from Walter G..
Campbell. director of regulatory prac-
tices of the food and drug section. VINO
vigorously denied accusations or m
efficient administration and, on behalf
OF the department, disclaimed RESPONSE
bility for the Jake" cases.
Ginger Jake" the director declared
els a bootleg product used for bever-
age purposes, and its regulation, by
agreement with the Treasury, comes
under the Prohibition Bureau. If any
of the ginger which caused paralysis
had been taken in medicinal dosageS, /
am informed, there would have been no
paralysis"
Popular Drink Examined.
Regarding the popular drink. Camp
bell said he some time ago ordered an
investigation of its ingredients ito find
out why so much of it was sold to long
lines of people at corner drug stores
to learn if there could be any drug in
the drink other than the percentage OF
caffeine"
The investigation, he said, disclosed
a slight percentage of a cocaine deriv-
ative in the strip from which the drink
is made, but none that could be de-
tected in the finished product. For that
reason no action was taken against the
company under the pure food or mar
cotic laws.
did YOU not tell one of your en-
ployes before this hearing began that
you'd hate to be asked about ginger
take?" Senator Wheeler asked the wit
ness.
Campbell heatedly denied making
such a statement and demanded the
name of the Senator's informant. The
Senator refused to name the person.
Senator Wheeler disagreed with
Campbell's contention that Jake" is
bootleg product, pointing out that it
has been sold in drug stores IN bottles
containing = Un:teS States pharmoco-
poeia label
But yea know very we'll Senator"
Campbell replied, that it was not used
for medicine, but for beverage pur-
poses"
II do not know that. and have let
tiers to the contrary" Wheeler stated.
Claims Agreement With Treasury.
Campbell explained that the depart
ment could not devote all its time to
an investigation of the ginger situation
when there were many other matters
of greater importance to be done. The
department is authorized to regulate
the sale of whisky, the witness pointed
out, but by agreement with the Treas
ury leaves that work to the prohibition
authorities.
DR.. j. j. Durrett, a chemist of the
department, was put on the stand to
explain details of the investigation of
the soft drink. He explained that an
average glass of the beverage contains
about half a much caffeine as a cup
of coffee. and that while there is
theoretically" a percentage of cocaine
derivative in the drink, repeated anal
yses have failed to detect it in dilution.