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CONGRESSIONAL
RECORD—SENATE (March 5, 1935 # 2963)
THE
NARCOTIC DRUG EVIL
Mr.
COPELAND. Mr. President, I ask that
a series of addresses made in connection with the narcotic evil be inserted in
the RECORD. As health commissioner
of New York I became familiar with the evils of the traffic in narcotic drugs,
and I am heartily in sympathy with the efforts being made to deal adequately
with the problem. I am informed that
the last in the series of broadcasts on this subject will be an address by the
Attorney General of the United States.
There
being no objection, the matter was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as
follows:
BROADCAST
OVER THE NATIONAL NETWORK FEBRUARY 27, 1935
The
announcer said: "This is the fourth in a series of broadcasts under the
auspices of the World Narcotic Defense Association,
of which Admiral Richmond P. Hobson is president.
The narcotic association is now carrying on a comprehensive campaign to
secure adoption by all our States of a uniform law on narcotics.
"
Today eminent narcotic authorities will discuss the general question of law
versus the narcotic drug evil.' Mr.
Hayne Davis, vice president of the narcotic association, will conduct the
broadcast and present the speakers."
Mr.
Davis said: “The urgent need Is to secure interstate accord on narcotics
through adoption of the uniform narcotic drug act by all the States of our
Union. You are privileged today to
hear from the very highest authorities on this subject: The United States
Commissioner of Narcotics, Mr. H. J. Anslinger;
the president of the American Bar Association, Hon. Scott M. Loftin, of Florida:
the president of the Bar Association in 1932, when that association endorsed the
proposed uniform narcotic drug act, Hon. Clarence E. Mart" of West
Virginia.
The
subject of the of the discussion is ‘Law Versus the Narcotic Drug Evil.’
"
The first Speaker is Mr. H. J. Anlsinger, the able, faithful, and efficient
United States Commissioner of Narcotics---the chief Federal official for
enforcement of the national narcotic laws and treaties---Mr. Anslinger.”
ADDRESS BY MR. H. J. ANSLINGER, UNITED STATES
COMMMSIONER OF NARCOTICS
Opium
has been a boon to mankind in alleviating suffering, but a terrible curse to
those who have become victims to its abuse.
The
hope of a practical solution lies in strict control of the production, sale, and
distribution of narcotic drugs, as well as of the raw materials capable of use
in the making of these drugs. Great
progress has been made in these directions, and further progress is in prospect.
The
first opium conference was the outcome of American Initiative.
Similar conferences, with wider scope, followed in due course, at The
Hague in 1912, at Geneva in 1925 and 1931. The
delegates assembled at these conferences from all parts of the world were
appalled by the evidence of human wreckage and misery, through the abuse of
narcotics which was laid before them. They
were alarmed also by proof that this evil was rapidly spreading throughout the
world. Some of those who were thus
enlightened as to the fact and extent of narcotic drug abuse, resolved to stamp
out this evil, and at each conference they succeeded In securing general consent
to some plans calculated to further this good purpose.
At
the 1931 conference great strides were taken by agreement upon terms for
effective limitation of the manufacture of narcotic drugs to the actual needs of
mankind, for scientific and medicinal purposes, and for strict control of the
drugs manufactured for these purposes so that none of them would find their way
into the channels of illicit trade. The
treaty evolved by that conference constitutes the most powerful blow that has
thus far been dealt to the illicit narcotic traffic.
This treaty is now the basis of international accord on narcotics.
Indeed, the Limitation Treaty of 1931 may properly be called the Magna
Carta of world freedom from the narcotic drug tyrant.
Internationally, the allied forces in the warfare on the narcotic drug
evil have achieved great victories, and are now consolidated in a strong
position, well prepared for the next offensive.
In the United States, however, there is weakness in the lines of defense
against this enemy of all mankind.
"This
la due not to willingness among our good people to let this evil have its way
here but to the division of sovereign power between the Nation and the States
composing the Union, and to the difficulties encountered in getting full
information on the narcotic problem Into the hands of the several thousand State
legislators, who alone have power to enact the laws necessary for consolidating
this country behind the National Government in the splendid position it has
taken on narcotics. Long ago the
Treasury Department took steps so far as it lawfully could to limit manufacture
of narcotic drugs in the United States to the needs of this country for
scientific and medicinal purposes. Its
broad policy is to limit the importation of opium and coca leaves to the medical
and scientific needs as determined by the United States Public Health Service,
and to control manufacture and the distribution of the drugs made from the raw
material so imported. This
distribution is under effective control from Importation of the raw material to
delivery of the manufactured drug to the consumer.
I know of no finer tribute to the control system of your National
Government than one expressed by a delegate of Canada at a recent world narcotic
conference. He said that the United
states manufactures drugs for 120,000,000 people, and that there is a 3,000-mile
border between the two countries, making smuggling comparatively simple, yet in
all his experience he had never found narcotics of American manufacture in the
illicit traffic in Canada, although he found large quantities of narcotics of
European manufacture.
“Our
entire field force does not exceed 300 officers for the whole United States, or
1 for each 400,000 of the population, and It can be readily, seen that the
ordinary police work of narcotic law enforcement, such as the detection and
apprehension of the many petty street peddlers and the even greater number of
those Improperly possessing narcotics, cannot be adequately performed by Federal
officers. State cooperation is
essential to a reasonably adequate system of narcotic law enforcement, and the
several States of the Union have a serious obligation to perform in doing their
proper part in the suppression of this evil.
"The
adoption of a uniform narcotic drug act by all the States will do away with the
existing weaknesses in our narcotic laws by giving to the people of the United
States and of each State as good protection against the narcotic evil as can be
secured through legislative action, will enable the authorities of the States to
cooperate more effectively with each other and with the officials of the
National Government, and will be a great aid to the United States in properly
fulfilling its part in combating the narcotic evil in those phases which can be
dealt with effectively only through international cooperation.
We obligated ourselves to control production of opium under The Hague
Convention of 1912. We can fulfill
that obligation under this State legislation."
Mr.
Davis said:
"Thank
you. Mr. Commissioner.
“No
one knows better than Mr. Anslinger what the present law an narcotics is and
what that law ought to be.
[page
2964]
"Members
of the bar who have been recognized by their colleagues as worthy of election to
the presidency of the American Bar Association are certainly qualified to plead
the cause of law versus the narcotic drug evil before the supreme court of
public opinion. You will now hear
the views of Hon. Scott M. Loftin, of Florida, president
of the American Bar Association, regarding the uniform narcotic drug act.
Mr. Loftin found it impossible to be here today, so I shall read a
message received from him.
"MESSAGE FROM HON. SCOOT M. LOFTIN, OF FLORIDA
It
has long been customary for the Governors of the several States to appoint
commissioners on uniform State laws to confer with one another on those
questions, in which uniformity in the laws of the States is deemed to be for the
best interests of the people. The
Forty-second Annual Conference of these Commissioners on Uniform State Laws,
held in 1932, formulated a comprehensive program of legislation on the narcotic
problem, which is commonly known as the " uniform narcotic drug act."
The American Bar Association held Its meeting for that year soon after this act
was approved by the conference of commissioners.
The act came very appropriately, therefore, before the Bar Association
for consideration at its 1932 session.
"The
Honorable Clarence E. Martin was president of the Bar Association that year, and
he was also a member of the Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws,
which formulated this act. He is
especially well qualified, therefore, to explain in detail how the adoption of
this act by all the States will promote the welfare of the American people.
As President of the American Bar Association, I content myself,
therefore, with saying that there is no member of our association better
qualified than Mr. Martin to demonstrate the present need for adoption of this
act by all of our State legislatures. In
addition, I am saying a few words more as a citizen of the State of Florida.
The proposed uniform narcotic drug act was adopted by the Florida
Legislature in May 1933, and the people of Florida were benefited substantially
and immediately.
"
The Jacksonville Journal, in Its issue of October 27,
1933, carried a strong editorial concerning the uniform narcotic drug
act, entitled ‘The Workings of a Good Law' and worded as follows:
"
'Few enactments of the 1933 legislature were more significant In purpose or
sounder in design than the uniform State narcotic law.
"'
‘Occasion for reflection In this regard was presented
by the important marijuana arrest and seizure here last week.
" 'The sale on
which the case was made involved 2 pounds of the dried weed prepared for
smoking.
"'
Subsequent investigations led to a larger seizure and the discovery that the
plant from which the drug is made has been grown Inside the city limits of
Jacksonville.
"
'First among the points to be noted is that the case could not have been made
prior to the passage of the uniform State law.
The Harrison Act applies only to opium and coca leaves and their
derivatives.
"'In
the second place, the case affords illustration of the integration of
enforcement agencies under the new law. It
resulted from the cojoint efforts of Federal, State, and city forces.
"'Again,
it properly relegates the prosecution of such crime to local courts set up for
handling of local problems. The
Federal Bureau of Narcotics is left free to exercise its major function of
controlling medical movements and smuggling.
"'Eight
of the 24 cases made here strictly under the uniform law have been tried and
eight convictions have been returned.
"'Scheduled
for trial are two types of cases not covered previously.
One doctor's license is up for revocation and several addicts will be
prosecuted for obtaining narcotics under false pretenses.
"'Revocation
of medical licenses and restriction of drug Issue through misrepresentation by
addicts were not provided for In former laws.
“ ‘Through the
closing up of loopholes and the coordination of existing regulatory agencies,
the new uniform State law places that control upon a higher basis of
Intelligence and efficiency.
"
'Florida is in the vanguard of States adopting it.’
"I
conclude by saying that, in my opinion, all of the States should adopt the
uniform narcotic drug act, so as to effectively cooperate with the Federal
Government in its war against the illegal drug traffic, and, I will add, so as
to secure for the people of each State the protection which we In Florida now
enjoy through the adoption of this act in 1933.
SCOTT
M. LOFTIN,
“President
American Bar Association.”
Mr.
Davis then said: "Here you have proof from experience, brief but
convincing. And after hearing these
words of Mr. Loftin, president of the American Bar Association, in regard to the
qualifications of Hon. Clarence E. Martin, of West Virginia, that gentleman
needs no further introduction. Mr.
Martin."
ADDRESS
OF HON. CLARENCE E. MARTIN, OF WEST VIRGINIA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN
BAR ASSOCIATION
The
World Narcotic Defense Association is engaged in the public-spirited effort of
backing every good movement and plan for controlling narcotics, so that they
will not be used to the detriment of mankind.
So effective has this world-wide movement been elsewhere, that the eyes
of the world are now turned toward America in this fight to prevent the illegal
and Immoral use of narcotic drugs. We
are compelled to accept the challenge and measure up to, if not the civilized
world.
”Representatives
of nearly all the nations Met at Geneva In 1931 and formulated a convention for
limiting the manufacture and regulating the distribution of narcotic drugs.
This conventlon was submitted by President Hoover to the Senate on March
4. 1932, and an March 31, 1932, was Unanimously ratified by the Senate.
"
The uniform narcotic drug act Is an outgrowth of efforts on the part of the
American Bar Association to secure the passage of uniform statutes on subjects
of State legislation, where modern conditions require this through the
Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, composed of three or more
commissioners or delegates from each State.
These men are supposed to be outstanding lawyers in their respective
States and meet annually for a week to deliberate upon proposed uniform
statutes.
"A
proposed uniform statute is not finally adopted until it is discussed by five or
more sessions of the conference. Great
care is taken to make the model statute cover all phases of the subject and to
be as near perfect as is humanly possible. In
addition, before final recommendation to the States for action, these proposed
laws must be approved by the American Bar Association.
"In
this manner, under modern conditions of society, the sovereignty of the States
is being preserved and the perpetuity of our dual system of government insured.
The uniform narcotic drug act, now before the legislatures of the many
States, is the work of the Conference of Commissioners, having been completed
and adopted in 1932. It is the
result of 5 years' work by the committee in charge, and by experts connected
with various organizations and associations, which were and are interested in
the, subject. In drafting this act,
which covers not alone a social but also an economic problem, it was essential
to determine the legal use of narcotic drugs and to protect that use, and to fix
what is to be illegal use and provide punishments therefor.
" Consideration had to be given to the various functions of
manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, druggists, doctors, dentists, nurses, and
others. The committee In charge of
drafting the act was compelled to familiarize itself with the medical effects of
the various drugs as well as other phases of the problem.
This gives you an idea of the conference and of Its method of formulating
the uniform narcotic drug act. The
following enumeration of outstanding points will give an idea of its scope and
purpose. The act makes It unlawful
to manufacture, possess, prescribe, administer, dispense, or compound any
narcotic drug, save in conformity with the provisions of the act; requires
manufacturers and wholesalers to have a State license; compels applicant for
license to be of good moral character (and if a corporation the officers must be
of such character) and be possessed of proper land, buildings, and all
paraphernalia needed for carrying on such business; authorizes officials who
grant licenses to suspend or revoke them for cause; limits the manufacturer or
wholesaler in the sale of the product; forbids sale by apothecaries, except on
written prescriptions, which cannot be refilled, and provides for registration
of the name of the purchaser and character of the drug bought; regulates
administration of drugs by physicians, dentists, veterinarians, with
requirements for return of unused portion to the doctor when it is no longer
necessary for the patient; limits the amount that can be lawfully sold, so as to
keep all purchases within the bounds of medicine and science; restricts the
cultivation of raw materials capable of being used in the manufacture of
narcotic drugs, so as to keep the quantity down to the actual and scientific
purposes; covers, in with all loopholes for improper use closed up and every
safeguard for proper use provided.
“The
act is, in brief, a common-sense treatment of a present day problem to prevent
Improper acquirefrom the time of its manufacdown to Its actual good and proper
use, or to Its destruction as provided in the act, when not put to proper use.
As to attempted improper use, may I elaborate?
"According
to the uniform crime reports for the United States and Its possessions for the
year 1934, issued by the United States Department of Justice, the age trend of
law violators la going downward instead of upward.
"
First. All lawful manufacturers,
dealers, doctors, and others will know and understand the law relative thereto
and will not be compelled to attempt to ascertain, and then to comply with the
meaning of various State statutes having many different and conflicting
provisions, as at present.
"
Second. There can be cooperation In
enforcement among all of the agencies of justice of the States and of the
Federal Government.
"
Third. All obligations of the United
States under the narcotic convention will be fully discharged.
"
The States are what we make them. They
are as strong, and as strong only, as the men who make, interpret, and
administer their laws and conduct their affairs.
It Is essential for the very preservation of our form of government that
there be proper and timely action by the States upon major social problems.
By the adoption of this uniform narcotic drug act by all our States we of
this day not only fulfill our international obligations on narcotics, but we
perform a duty we owe to society here at home and make a complete answer to
those who believe that local self-government Is a failure.
"It
is in this spirit that all persons are asked to urge their legislators to give
serious consideration to and secure the passage of the uniform narcotic drug act
by their own State.
"
The act Is, In brief, a common-sense treatment of a presentday problem, every
effort being made to prevent Improper acquire@ent or use of the narcotic drug,
from the time of lis manufacture down to Its actual good and prover use, or to
Its destruction as provided In the act, when nor' pxit to proper use.
As to attempted improper use, may I elaborate?
"According
to the uniform crime reports for the 'United States and Its possessions for the
year 1934, Issued by the United States Department of Justice, the age trend of
law violators la going downward Instead of upward.
"
First. All lawful manufacturers,
dealers, doctors, and others will know and understand the law relative thereto
and will not be compelled to attempt to ascertain, and then to comply with the
meaning off vvaairious State statutes having many different and conflistSIng
provisions, as at present.Second.
There can be cooperation In enforcement among allof
the agencies of justice of the States and of the Federal Government.
"
Third. All obligations of the United
States under the narcotic convention will be fully discharged.
"
The States @ what we make them. They
@ as strong, and as strong only, as the men who make, Interpret, and admln@r
their laws and conduct their affairs. It
is essential for the very preservation of our form of government that there be
proper and timely action by the States ubon major amial problems.- B-y the
adoption of this uniform narcotic drug act by all our States we of this day not
only fulfill our International Obligations on narcotics, but we perform a duty
we owe to society hire at home and make a complete answer to those who believe
that local self-government la a failure.
"It
Is In this spirit that all persons are asked to urge their legislators to give
serious consideration to and secure the passage of the uniform narcotic drug act
by their own State."
under
laws and under policies heretofore In operation.
Do those who condemn the "new deal' hope to reinaugurate the
"old deal", which was essentially a raw deal?
If so, let them say
so
openly and not slip up on the American people from the rear and seek to
administer a blow while they are not looking.
As
I stated at the outset, we do not claim a monopoly of virtues or wisdom.
Neither do we attribute to our opponents a monopoly of folly or of evil,
but the American people are overwhelmingly convinced that ftztnklin D. Roosevelt
and those who are working with him, whether they be Democrats, Progressives, or
Republiea@ have been and are putting forward a superhuman effort to Ifft the
American people and the American Nation out of the bogs of despondency and of
hopelessness, and place them -upon a @ foundation of equity, of equality, of
justice, and of public service, which will enable them to enjoy the fruits of
their labors and to enjoy a fair share of our natural resources and
opportunities.
In
behalf of such a consummation, we -Rilrnmon not only the hosts of democracy,
whom you and I In part represent, but we Invite the sympathetic and constructive
cooperation of all Amerloans without regard to political, religious, or economic
convictions, whose chief desire In life is to serve the cause of popular
government and of popular rights.
NARCOTIC
DRUG EVIL
Mr.
F AN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the RECORD the
radio broadcast of Mr. Hayne Davis, vice president of the Narcotic Association
for Official Cooperation; Hon. Charles
Curtis, of Kansas; and Hon. Key
Pittman, of Nevada, January 23, 1935, relative to the narcotic-drug evil and the
necessity of the States of our Union acting with respect to the matter while
their legislatures are in session at the present time.
There
being no objection, the statements were ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as
follows:
The
announcer of the National Broadcasting Co. said:
11
This Is the first of a series of broadcasts under the auspices of the World
Narcotic Defense Association, of which Admiral Richmond P. Hobson is president.
This association has its headquarters In New York City and devotes Itself
to protection of the people In every possible way against the narcotic-dru-
evil. The arrests made last December
for violation of existing nwcotic laws throughout the entire country, totaling
nearly 1,000 In 1 week, gave come evidence of the extent of this evil, and at
the same time disclosed grave defects In the narcotic laws of the States.
11
For the curing of these defects, and for enabling the United States to fulfill
all Its treaty obligations on narcotics and to achieve a maximum of service to
mankind through cooperation with the nations In combating this evil In its
international aspects, the Narcotic Association is now carrying on a
comprehensive campaign to secure adoption by all the States of the Union of a
uniform law on narcotics. The
National and Columbia Broadcasting Cos. have tendered their assistance by
donating five periods for broadcasts In aid of this campaign.
Eminent authorities have consented to assist by making use of the time
thus made available.
"
The speakers at these broadcasts are Ron. Charles
Curtis, former Vice President of the United States; Hon.
Key Pittman, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: Hon.
Royal S. Copeland, United States Senator from New York; Hon.
James J. Davis, United States Senator from Pennsylvania; Hon.
Morris Sheppard, United States Senator from Texas; Hon.
James E. Watson, former United States Senator from Indiana; Hon.
Scott MLoftin, of Florida, president of American Bar Association; Hon.
Clarence E. Martin, of West Virginia, former president of American Bar
Association; Mr. H. J. Anslinger, United States Corn-i-gsioner of Narcotics;
Mrs.. Grace Morrison Poole, president of General Federation of Women's Clubs;
Mrs. Ida B. Wise Smith, president of Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
"
Mr. Hayne Davis, vice president of the World Narcotic Defense Association, wJ.11
conduct the broadcasts on behalf of the Narcotic Association. ..
Mr.
Hayne Davis, vice president of the Narcotic Association, said:
"
The former Vice President of the United States, Hon.
Charles Curtis, of Kansas, was presiding over the Senate when the
narcotic treaty of 1931 was ratified In March 1932.
He Is so well known to the American people It would not do to say, as the
custom Is, 'I now introduce him', but 31 do take pleasure in saying that the
former Vice President will now address you.
Mr. Curtis.,,
AMMOS
OF 3E[ON. C@ CUITTIS
Fellow
citizens, on March 4, 1932, the following message was sent to the Senate of the
United States by the then President.
"I
transmit herewith a convention for limiting the manufacture and regulating the
distribution of narcoticdrugs, dated July 13, 1931, and signed by the
Representatives of the United States of America and 43 other catmtries
represented at the conference for the rotation of the manufacture of narcotic
drugs. In view of the benefit which
would accrue to the United States from the ratification of the convention as set
forth in the accompanying report of the Secretary of State, and the report of
the delegates of the United States to the conference, to both of which the
attention of the Senate Is invited, and because of the deep interest taken In
the United States In the hllmknitariau aspect of
the
provisions of the document, I strongly commend the convention to the favorable
consideration of the Senate and request their advice and consent to ratification
of the convention.
"(Signed)
H=BimT Hoovza."
The
report of the then Secretary of State, Mr. St@n, referred to In this message
from the President, said among other -things:
"
The principal problem of narcotic-law enforcement in the United States is that
of preventing the unlawful introduction of narcotic drugs.
It Is foreign overproduction which supplies the Illicit international
traffic. The domestic manufacture of
the drugs In the United States is limited so closely to the medical needs of the
country that diversion of the home-manufactured product is comparatively
negligible and the illicit traffic finds Its source of supply in drugs which are
smuggled In from abroad. Recent
enforcement activities of the newly created Federal Narcotic Bureau, In
conjunction with other governmental agencies, have produced gratifying results
in curbing the unlawful introduction of narcotics into the country, but, it
needs no argument to establish the advantage to the United States which would
follow from the control of the traflic at the source through the elimination of
overproduction. This the convention
under discussion Is designed to accomplish.
If it is made effective and enforced by the high contracting parties, It
may confidently be expected to reduce to the amoimts needed for medical and
scientific purposes the quantities of these dangerous substances manufactured.
"
It Is in view of these advantages that the delegation strongly recommends that
the treaty be ratified. Ratification
by this Government will no doubt have a strongly persuasive effect in bringing
about ratification on the part of countries which, for some reason, may doubt
whether the treaty will eventually become effective.
Ratification by the'United States will add the weight of this country's
cooperation toward insuring the effectiveness of the convention.
The extent to which the convention is adopted as an obligation by the
powers of the world will be the measure of the benefit which may be confidently
expected to @e to the United States through the resultant restriction of the
flow of contraband drugs which Is an Inevitable result of overproduction.
"(Signed)
HENRY L. BTMSON."
On
the 30th day of March 1932, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations made a
report to the Senate recommending-the ratification of this treaty, and It was
ratified on the following day. Senator
BORAH, of Idaho, was chairman of the committee which recommended ratification.
The vote on the resolution was unanimous.
So that in March 1932 there was no difference of opinion among the
constituted authorities of the Nation on this Important question.
And there is no difference of opinion among us now on this question.
We are all agreed that this treaty is for the best Interests of all our
people In every State of the Union.
I
shall repeat, in order to properly emphasize It, one part of the report made to
the President In March 1932 by the then Secretary of State, Mr. Stimson:
11
Ratification by this Goverrnuent will no doubt have a strongly persuasive effect
in bringing about ratiftcatlon on the part of countries which, for some reason,
may doubt whether the treaty will eventually become effective..
"The
extent to which the convention is adopted as an obligation by the powers of the
world will be the measure of the benefit which may be confidently expected to
accrue to the United States through the resultant restriction of the flow of
contraband drugs, which is an inevitable result of overproduction."
The
early action on this treaty by the United State@nly 2 weeks after its
ratification by Nicaragua, the first of all countries to ratify@id in fact have
influence in securing favorable action by the requisite number of nations on or
before the day fixed. and the number has now risen to 52.
Only a dozen nations have not taken action so far.
The
benefits expected to accrue to the United States were stated by the United
States delegates to the narcotic conference and by Secretary of State Stimson,
to be In proportion to the extent to which the treaty would be adopted as an
obligation by the nations. The
benefits are therefore great. according to this forecast.
They have been found very great In actual experience.
For nearly all the nations have now ratified and are effectively carryIng
out the terms of this treaty. As an
instance, consider what was stated by Secretary I-IUU in a broadcast, similar to
this one, in July of last year:
"
Furthermore, it is a pleasure to express the appreciation of the American
Government for the energetic and effective steps which the Turkish Government
has taken to suppress the illicit tratac in morphine from Turkey, which only a
few years ago had assumed such alarming proportions.
The United States was the principal victim of this trafftc, and the
action taken by the Turkish Government to put an end to It has been of the
greatest assistance to the American Government In Its efforts to combat the evil
of narcotic-drug addiction.
"
Turning from the steps which Turkey has taken to make the opium and drug
conventions effective in her territories, I venture to can your attention to the
fact that certain further steps remain to be taken here in the United States to
carry out the requirements of these conventions.
"
In meeting the obligations of the United States Under the opium and drug
conventions the Federal Government Is obliged to look to the various States of
the Union for help. as under our
Constitution
certain of the legislation -needed to Implement these treaties can be enacted
only by the State legislatures. The
proposed uniform State narcotic-drug act was drafted by the Conference of
commissioners on uniform State laws and has received the approval of the
American Bar Association and has been recommended for passage by the house of
delegates of the American Medical Association.
Various provisions have been embodied In this proposed uniform State
statute on narcotics, with a view of carrying out obligations of the United
States, under the Hague opium convention of 1912 and the narcotics limitation
convention of 1931. This act is
expected to come before a number of State legislatures for consideration at
their coming sessions, and It Is hoped that the Importance of these provisions
will not be over-
looked.
"(Signed)
CoRpy-T.T. HULL.
JULY
9, 1934."
Secretary
Stimson was right In 1932 in his forecast of the beneftts to accrue to this
country through general acceptance of the treaty of 1931.
These benefits are great. Secretary
Hull Is right
now.
To
get the full benefit for the American people from ratification of this treaty by
our -country, and by nearly all other countries, the States must adopt the
proposed uniform narcotic-drug act, or Its equivalent.
Nine States have already done so. Through
adoption of this act by an the 35 State legislatures now in session another
great advance will be made in the crusade against the narcotic-drug evil.
Needed protection for the people of each State will be supplied here at
home. The hands of the National
Government will be properly upheld by the States In its fulfillment of its
proper part in combating this evil in its International aspect.
As
presiding officer of the Senate at the time this narcotic treaty was ratified, I
am glad to take part In the campaign to secure adoption of the uniform
narcotic-drug act by the several States. This
is clearly for the good of the people of each and every State and for the good
of the United States In its cooperation with other nations in the international
concert for the general welfare of an people, and I hope the several States will
enact the necessary
legislation.
(Signed) CHARLES CuRTis.
Mr.
Hayne Davis, vice president of the Narcotic Association,
said:
11
The Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate, Hon.
Kzr PiTTmAN, like the former Vice President, is too well known to be
introduced to an American audience, but It is appropriate for me to say that he
was in the Senate in March 1932 and voted for ratification of the treaty of
1931. He can speak, therefore, for
his sixty-odd colleagues who voted with him for that treaty and who still
represent their respective States in the United States Senate; and besides that,
Nevada is Senator PrrTmAN's State and Nevada was the first of all our States to
adopt the uniform
narcotic-drug
act, March 1933.
11
It is altogether fitting, therefore. that Senator P=MAN should unite today with
the former Vice President of the United States In sounding a clarion call to the
35 States whose legislatures are now In session to rally around 9 States which
have already adopted this act, and so to achieve Interstate accord on narcotics
as international accord has been achieved through ratification of the narcotic
treaty of 1931 by more than 50 political subdivisions of the world.
Mr. Prrr@."
ADDRESS
OF HON. KEY PrrTMAN
My
friends, I have had the pleasure of listening to a part of the address of my
friend. the ex-Vice President of the United States.
He has covered very largely this subject.
What I may say must be largely extemporaneous.
I know, however, that you will agree with me that there Is no subject,
there is no problem, more vital than this. In
these times. when there Is poverty and distress, when there Is crime, when
murder is a business, we must think. The
narcotic problem has been with us for years.
Patriotic men have given their lives to It.
The ex-Vice President and myself have been students of the subject for
years, but not as long as others have. We
are trying to meet It; we are going to meet It.
I
think that It will be admitted that most of the crime in this country comes from
those who are abnormal, those who have degenerated by reason of narcotics.
We speak of DlUinger and crimes of that type-they are not natural to our
country; they didn't exist once. We
do not have to go into the effects of narcotics that has been talked for years
gone by.
What
do we want? We want action. . We are
entitled to action. There are 35
legislatures in session or about to be convened in session.
Their action is necessary; it is the duty of the Governors to call to the
attention of these legislatures the act that has been already passed by a number
of States.
Now,
may X briefly give you the history so far as we have gone?
It has been given largely by Mr. Curtis, the ex-Vice President, with whom
I had the honor to serve In the Senate. On
July 9, 1934, at the celebration of the first anniversary of the going into
operation of the Narcotic Limitations Treaty of 1931, the Turkish Ambassador and
the Secretary of State of the United States made statements in striking
contrast, substantially as follows. After
reading the remarkable message sent by President Kemal, of Turkey, for
broadcasting at that celebration the Ambassador, Mehmet Munir Bey, said that
legal measures are now In operation in Turkey in perfect accord with the treaty
obligations assumed by that nation.
Secretary
Hull of the United States, on the other hand, said In substance that such legal
measures are not in operation In our country and cannot be until the several
States enact legislation needed to accomplish this purpose, and that under our
Constitution only the States are empowered to enact such legiaation. may 31 say
to you that Turkey, which supplied most of the opium of the world. whose people
made a Uviiilfout of It, under the leadership of their great President Mustafa
ikemal, stopped Producing the opium poppy and hemp[ The difference between
thi'legal Situation in Turkey and the United States to all the more striking
when
it is remembered that the United States took the initiative in 1909 for securing
International accord on narcotics by proposing
the
first International Narcotic Conference ever held.
This fact was graciously referred to by the Turkish Ambassador at the
very, outset, and It was just in July of last year that President Kemal. at the
celebration on that day, referred to the American Initiative.
My
friends, we have had international action on this matter.
We have Turkey, which was the chief supplier of narcotics that
intoxicated and dissipated the mentality of the world, to really
take
the first step and stop the production of narcotics.
.
We
have a treaty among nations to limit Its production to medical needs, to limit
Its export, to limit Its import, to limit its sale.
We are now calling on the States of our Union to pass the laws which seem
essential to entire protection in this matter.
It has been a wonderful victory, a remarkable victory, a victory In the
sense that people who made their living off of this unfortunate misuse of
narcotics were practically the first to stop its production.
We who-understand its ravages. we who understand that It Is unfortunately
too often the foundation for crime, crime among the young, we who understand
these things are participating In this campaign to secure needed narcotic
legislation. Our National Government
has participated as far as It may under the Constitution, and we are calling
today,,we are calling seriously and earnestly upon every Governor in every State
in this Union, and upon every legislator, to act.
After long, long fights the leaders of this movement in our country, who
are known to you too well for me to repeat, have understood that narcotics Is
the foundation of the digression in our civilization, which has resulted in so
much crime. We are calling on you as
Governors of these States, we are calling
on
you as legislators, to @.
,I
am proud, I am proud to say that my State.-Nevada-was the first to enact the
general statute agreed upon by the Commissioners on Uniform State Laws for.
protection against the misuse of narcotics.
These
are the States which have already adopted this act:
Nevada,
March 1933; Plorida, May 1933; New York, May 1933; New
Jersey,
June 1933; Virginia, March 1934; Rhode Island, April 1934;
South
Carolina, April 1934; Kentucky, June 1934; Louisiana, December
1934.
Where
are the other 35 States? They win
act in the next 60 days, and we have every confidence how they will act.
In
concluding the broadcast Mr. Davis said:
"
Every citizen of the United States who Is listening to this broadcast is
represented in the legislature of his State by two perso@ a member of the senate
and a member of the lower house.
You
can call upon your representatives in the State legislature to enact the
proposed uniform narcotic-drug act. This
act, or its equivalent, should be enacted at the present session of
the,legislatures of 35 States. You
can assist in bringing to pass this I consummation devoutly to be wished.' Grasp
this opportunity.
11
You can also write to Narcotic Association, 578 Madison Avenue.
New York City, or In care of station to which you are listening.
Enclose a stamped envelop (any size), addressed to yourself, and you will
receive Interesting and useful literature on narcotics, which will enable you to
participate continuously In a small or large way, according to your
circumstances, In this world-wide crusade against one of the worst enemies of
mankind."
THE
NEW DE@ARTICLE BY DONALD R. PICHBERG
Mr.
ROBINSON. Mr. President, I ask that
a brief article, entitled 11 The Challenge of Tomorrow," published in the
magazine Real lafe, from the pen of Mr. Donald R. Richberg, may be printed in
the RzcoRD.
There
being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in the RzcoRD, as
follows:
The
challenge of tomorrow Is essentially the challenge to face facts-not as they
were, or as they might have been, but as they are.
Of
course, this is easily said; and many people honestly and sincerely believe they
are facing facts as they are when they are oniy facing facts as they once were.
Without laying claim to any special knowledge or Insight, I have sought
in the past, and I am seeking now, to see things free from illusions and
prejudice, and To keep in mind that what is true today n-Lay not be true
tomorrow.
What
are the objectives of the new deal? There
is no secret or mystery about this. Broadly
speaking, the new deal is trying to end the chaos in American industrial and
agricultural life: That is not a hard deftwtion to understand.
For
example, the new deal Is seeking to restore a sound banking system; it is
seeking to coordinate and balance industry and agriculture to the end that they
may stand on their own feet; and, above and beyond all, it is seeking to restore
economic security to those millions of Americans who are today without It.
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