the place, and the first Tuesday in June, 1899, as the time. Their report was adopted.

The secretary read a communication from a committee of the American Pharmaceutical Association on legislation, to better the condition of the pharmacists in the United States employ, asking this organization to indorse the bills to this end now in Congress. The Association heartily complied with the request.

During the meeting the following papers were read and thoroughly discussed: Experience a Teacher, by William Mittelbach; Commercial and Scientific Pharmacy, Fred R. Dimmit; A So-Called Specially Refined Borax, by Carl G. O. Klie; Pharmaceutical Observations and Comments Thereon, by William C. Bolm; Some Commercial Aspects of Pharmacy, by J. M. Good; Extract of Colocynth, by G. H. Chas. Klie; Formula for an Antiseptic Liquid, by H., F. Hassebrock; The Use of the Metric Weights and Measures in Prescriptions, by H. M. Whelpley; The Commercial Side of Pharmacy, by William Mittelbach; Valuable Hints for the Retail Pharmacist, by Dr. Otto A. Claus; The Pharmacist as an Analyst, by Ambrose Mueller; The Retail Druggist and His Show Windows, by R. S. Vitt; Mistura Cloralis et Pottassi Bromidi, by H. F. Hassebrock; A Palatable and Aromatic Cascara Sagrada, by Francis Hemm, and How to Conduct a Retail Drug Store, by F. R. Dimmit.

T. A. Moseley reported for the Committee on Necrology, showing the following deaths among the members during the past year: M. W. Alexander, St. Louis; C. M. Chadwick, Kansas City; Will T. Schooley, Harrisonville; R., J. Brown, Leavenworth, Kan.; John B. Walters, Jefferson City; George McClean, Orick; C. F. Hermann, Kansas City, and L. B. Schylock.

Visitors from Illinois.

The following committee was appointed to go to Clifton Terrace and escort the delegation of the Illinois Association to St. Louis: H. M. Whelpley, O. F. C. Bausch, A. Brandenberger, H. F. Hassebrock, T. A. Moseley, L. P. Hemm, T. L. Wright and Miss Fredrica De Wyl.

A large delegation from the Illinois Association came down, and, on motion, were extended the privileges of the floor and invited to participate in the proceedings of the Association. Among those who took part in the transactions of this Association were Messrs. Halberg, Fleury, Hereth, Hatch and Bartell.

It was announced by Secretary Whelpley that the term of A. T. Fleischmann as a member of the State Board of Pharmacy would expire on July 2d, and that it was customary for this Association to recommend one or more of its members to the Governor as candidates for appointment for that Board. A. T. Fleischmann was unanimously recommended for re-appointment.

The following candidates were elected to membership:

F. Havermann, G. W. Stiehl, O. W. Konzelmann, P. W. Eichstaedt, Charles W. Stockhausen, R. C. Riley, F. W. Neu, Henry A. Heugel, Leon Philibert, Ferd Christman, George H. Sommers, H. Frielingsdorf, Oscar Zesch, Charles Gietner, Carl G. Hinrischs, Conrad P. Bobb, Theo. M. Young, J. A. Mager, Walter Gereth, all of St. Louis, and R. A. Dunlap and G. W. Wheeler, of Miami, and F. W. Hutchinson and L. A. Hofbauer, of Hannibal.

The president announced that the Membership Committee offered $20 in gold, to be divided into three prizes, for the par

ties securing the most new members at this meeting. As there was only one competitor for this prize, M. J. Noll, he was awarded a prize of $10.

Communications from E. J. Soper, of St. Joseph; R. E. Moupin, of Pattonsburg, and C. E. Corcoran, of Kansas City, expressing their regrets at not being able to attend the meeting, were read by the secretary.

The secretary was instructed to wire the greetings of this Association to the Indiana and Ohio Associations, then in session.

A Universal Prescription Cost-Mark.

A communication from the Minnesota Pharmaceutical Association asking this organization to co-operate with them in the adoption of a universal cost-mark, to be used on all prescriptions, was read and a resolution of indorsement adopted. The idea of the Minnesota Association was to secure the adoption of a cost-mark to be used on all prescriptions-liquids, powders, pills, etc., so that the patient taking the prescription from one store to another, or even from one State to another to have it refilled, would be quoted the same price.

Physicians and the Pharmacopoeia.

The report of the Committee on U. S. P. was read by Charles G. H. Klie, and showed this committee had mailed fifteen hundred circular letters, with return postal cards, to physicians in the State of Missouri, propounding to each ten questions. Three hundred and ten returns were received.

Below we give the ten questions asked, together with the tenor of the replies received:

No. 1.-Is the U. S. P. your standard? 300 yes; 8 no.

No. 2.-Do you recommend changes? 85 yes; 49 no.

No. 2a. Additions? 81 yes; 13 no. No. 2b.Omissions? 27 yes; 31 no. No. 2c.-Changes in formula or manipulations? 23 yes; 30 no.

No. 3.-If the U. S. P. is not your standard, what is your standard? 300, it is; 2, the German Pharmacopoeia.

No. 4. Shall the U. S. P. give maximum doses? 264 yes; 23 no.

No. 5.-Do you prescribe proprietary remedies? 178 yes; 116 no.

No. 6.-If so, why? 147 gave reasons why; 10 was "no;" 106 give no answers to this question. No. 7-Shall coal tar preparations, antipyrine, phenacetine, acetanilid, et id omne genus, receive a place in the U. S. P.? 238 yes; 6 no.

No. 8.-Shall antitoxin serum be given a place in the U. S. P.? 224 yes; 69 no.

No. 9.-Shall fermented and distilled liquors be dismissed from the U. S. P.? 67 yes; 220 no. No. 10.-Are you in favor of introducing the metric system in prescribing? 138 yes; 163 no.

To each of these questions there were a number of non-committals and no an

swers.

ture, and that the work was nearly completed.

The election of officers was taken up with the following results:

President, T. A. Moseley, Harrisonville; first vice-president, C. L. Wright, Webb City; second vice-president, Theodore Hagenow, St. Louis; third vice-president, Miss Fredrica De Wyl, Jetferson City; treasurer, William Mittelbach, Boonville; permanent secretary, H. M. Whelpley, St. Louis; assistant secretary, Ambrose Mueller, Old Orchard; local secretary, A. Brandenberger, Jefferson City.

Members of the Council.-Thomas Layton, St. Louis; William C. Bolm, St. Louis; A. Brandenberger, Jefferson City; Francis Hemm, St. Louis; H. F. A. Spilker, St. Louis.

Two amendments to the constitution and by-laws, proposed by Mr. Brandenberger, were taken up and adopted. The first one was to specify that the first vicepresident should be an ex-officio member of the Council, and the second one was to change the wording so as to state merely that the secretary should receive a certain salary.

The resignation of C. E. Corcoran, of Kansas City, was read and accepted.

The Committee on Prizes reported that prizes on papers and exhibits had been awarded as follows:

Carl G. Klie, for paper entitled "A So-Called Specially Prepared Borax," a set of metric weights and measures.

Ambrose Mueller, for paper "The Pharmacist as an Analyst," the Layton Drug Co. prize, Webster's Pictorial Dictionary.

Wm. C. Bolm, Paper, "Pharmaceutical Observations and Comments," $5 in gold.

F. R. Dimmit, "The Commercial Side of Pharmacy," $5 in gold.

Dr. Otto A. Claus, "Valuable Hints for the Retail Pharmacist," $5 in gold.

R. S. Vitt, "The Retail Pharmacist and His Show Windows," $5 in gold.

H. F. Hassebrock, paper, "An Improved Formula for Mistura Chloralis et Potassii Bromidi," five pints of essence of pepsin.

G. H. Chas. Klie, paper, "Extract of Clocynth," $5 in gold.

Wm. Mittelbach, paper, "Experience a Teacher,' the Western Druggist prize, a copy of Thesaurus of Proprietary Preparations.

Wm. Mittelbach, "The Commercial Side of Pharmacy," National Druggist prize, a copy of King's American Dispensatory.

For exhibits the following prizes were awarded: To Ambrose Mueller, five pints of antiseptic compound, by U. S. Pharmacal Co., of Chicago. H. F. Hassebrock, one basket of candy, the Wennecker-Morris Candy Co., St. Louis.

The committee reported that the prize of $10 in gold, offered by the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, would go over until next year.

William C. Bolm and Dr. H. T. Rohlfing were appointed to escort the newly elected officers to their seats.

On motion, a vote of thanks was tendered to the retiring officers and the members of the various committees, and a special vote of thanks to William L. Meyer, chairman of the Entertainment Committee of the Missouri Pharmaceutical Travelers' Association, and to Chas. Committee of the Missouri PharmaceutiA. Lips, chairman of the Entertainment

cal Association.

After duly installing the officers, the Association adjourned sine die.

Waters.

The war tax bill specifically exempts from the tax "Natural spring waters and carbonated natural spring waters." Apollinaris, Johannis, Apenta and Friedrichshall, all of which natural mineral waters are sold by the United Agency Co., of New York, will, therefore, not have to be stamped.

The thirteenth annual meeting of the North Dakota Pharmaceutical Association will be held at Fargo, August 9, 10 and 11.

THE OHIO MEETING.

the penalties recovered for violation of the law to be placed to the credit of the fund for enbut certainly forcing the law; and lastly, be not least, its constitutionality appears to above suspicion. It does not deprive the

Large Attendance and Interesting public of a single right, nor confer any spe

Proceedings.

SOCIAL FEATURES OF THE MEET

ING.

Valuable Report on Pharmacy Law.

The duty of welcoming the twentieth annual convention of the Ohio Pharmaceutical Society to the hospitalities of the City of Columbus was most admirably performed by Judge Owen as a representative of the local authorities at the opening session of the convention on Tuesday afternoon, June 7th. His address which was witty and appropriate was responded to by Prof. Harry Vin Arny, of Cleveland. Honorable Philip H. Bruck welcomed the association to the city on bePresident half of the retail druggists. Geo. B. Kaufman resigned the chair temporarily to deliver his annual address, which contained a review of the changes in pharmacy during the past year, and also contained several suggestions to facilitate the work of the association. The address was referred to a committee composed of John Rauschkolb, Columbus, J. H. Beal, of Scio, and Prof. De Lang, of Cincinnati.

The report of Treasurer Von Stein, of Sandusky, showed that the receipts of last year were $1,405.65, and the disbursements $852.01. The association now has 432 members in good standing.

WEDNESDAY,

Second Session.

The second session was called to order by President Kaufman, and the minutes of the last session read and approved.

Professor J. H. Beal, chairman of the Committee on Pharmacy Law, submitted his annual report, which read in part as follows:

At our last annual meeting at Cleveland the Committee on Pharmacy Laws presented a lengthy report upon that subject enumerating some of the defects of existing legislation, and after considerable discussion the Association provided, by vote, for a special legislative meeting to be called by the President to consider the amendments to be asked for at the hands of the ensuing General Assembly.

At this special meeting, held in Columbus, in January, this committee presented a draft of a bill, to which, after thorough discussion, an amendment was adopted as the sense of the Association, and the committee instructed to procure its enactment into law, if possible. In due course of time our bill was placed before the Legislature, and passed upon as to its constitutionality by the Assistant Attorney General. The bill, as finally completed, was placed in the hands of Hon. J. C. Otis, member of the General Assembly from Cincinnati, and by him introduced in the House.

For the purpose of creating a friendly sentiment, personal interviews were had with every legislator who could be induced to listen to our seductive arguments. Telegraph and long-distance telephone lines were patronized without stint, and the mail bags loaded with circulars and personal letters. Through over-confidence, the bill was nearly lost in the House, and in the Senate became the subject of strong and persistent opposition. The most dangerous ob struction was from those who sought to amend the bill, but to all such propositions the com. mittee turned a deaf ear, refusing to agree to any amendment or change whatever unless it should be forced upon us by an adverse vote of the Senate. The whole bill finally passed by a safe majority, which vote was reaffirmed on a motion to reconsider. The law as it now stands provides a revenue for the purpose of carrying out its provisions-the lack of which was a serious defect of the old law. It defines offences clearly, fixes their punishment definitely, requires

mem

cial privilege upon the pharmacists. The Association owes special thanks to certain bers of our body for their special efforts in securing the passage of the bill, viz.: F. W. Herbst, of Columbus; W. R. Ogier, Charles Crone, Hon. G. L. Hechler, Prof. George B. Kaufman, L. C. Hopp, Prof. B. S. Young, Charles Huston, F. H. Frericks, J. C. Firman, and others, who gave a large portion of their time and rendered invaluable assistance to the Association.

With the pharmacy law an accomplished fact, it is next in order to devote our energies to securing some much needed modification of the poison and label laws. As the latter stand at present it is impossible to say just what substances need to be labeled "Poison" and what ones need not be. At the January meeting this committee was authorized to appoint a subcommittee to draft a poison and label law, which they accordingly did; and although after strenuous effort a Senator was found who would take charge of the bill, it was never heard of again after it left the hands of the committee.

Upon motion, the thanks of the association were tendered to those members named in the report of the chairman; and also to Hon. R. E. McKisson, Mayor of Cleveland; Hon. V. H. Burke, Senator from Cleveland; Senator Nichols, of Clermont County, who fathered the bill in the Senate, and to Hon John C. Otis. The report of the Committee on Unofficial Formulas was read by the secretary, and on motion received and placed

on file.

Total cash Disbursements

Cash balance

.$555,375 00 71,525 00 93,950 00

485,675 00

532,950 00 1,204 32

1, 1897, to

The Committee on Nominations thereupon submitted its report of those nominated for election to office for the ensuing year, as follows:

For president, Prof. J. H. Beal, of Scio; first vice-president, Albert Wetterstroem, Cincinnati; second vice-president, Carl Schmitt, Cleveland; secretary, L. C. Hopp, Cleveland; treasurer, John H. Von Stein, Upper Sandusky; executive committee, Alfred De Lang, Cincinnati; C. E. Blackburn, Steubenville, and O. M. Garrett, Hillsboro.

These nominations were greeted with applause, action on the report being delayed until Thursday's session.

The president announced the committee who shall present a list of names to the Governor of the State from which to select the next member of the Ohio Board of Pharmacy, as follows: Alfred De Lang, of Cincinnati, chairman; A. Wetterstroem, John C. Firman, John Mayer and Phil Lehr.

The president also announced the Committee on Time and Place of Next Meeting as follows:

F. W. Herbst, Columbus, chairman; F. H. Frericks, of Cincinnati, and George W. Voss, of Cleveland.

The secretary read a communication from the Hotel Victory, of Put-In-Bay, Ohio, inviting the Association to make that their place of meeting for next year. On motion the communication was received and referred to the Committee on Time and Place of Next Meeting.

THURSDAY.

After the reading of several committee reports, Professor Arny presented an interesting paper on oil emulsions. Prof. Feil read a paper on the Practicability of Volumetric Tests, which was discussed After by Prof. Lloyd, of Cincinnati. some discussion the following resolution was adopted:

It shall be the sense of this association that the Ohio Board of Pharmacy shall not give the credit required by the pharmacy law to persons from schools of pharmacy which do not comply with the requirements as adopted by the Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association last year.

The twenty-five applications were presented for membership and favorably acted upon, and after the transaction of some routine business, the association adjourned.

CONVENTION ECHOES.

At the vaudeville entertainment given at Minerva Park Wednesday evening one of the artists told a good one on Bart He claimed that Bart was Whittiker. threatened with pneumonia and his physician prescribed a quart of whisky, telling him to take two ounces in hot water. Bart objected to this, as he said his better-half would not let him bring it in the house, and in the second place he could not get the hot water without calling. At this the doctor told Bart to order shaving water in his mug. The following day Bart's wife called on the doctor and stated that her husband was crazy as a loon, that he wanted to shave every 15 minutes.

The punch served by Frank A. Bauer, of the Duroy & Haines Co., at the reception was the same delightful brew that M. Duroy compounded at the Sandusky convention four years ago.

L. C. Hopp has held the secretary's chair for 20 years; he tells me he has 5 years to serve and then all is over.

Prof. C. T. P. Fennell was not present. It is the first convention he has missed in 15 years.

The Travelers in Evidence. The following traveling men ably represented their houses at the meeting:

J. F. Christian, of Sharp & Dohme; E. A. Fisher, of Smith, Kline & French Co.; R. L. Cobb and O. B. Hannan, of Strong, Cobb & Co.; Harry Skillman and Frank Rhein, of Wm. S. Merrill Chemical Co.; W. A. Conners and Chas R. Mott, of Eli Lilly & Co.; R. Clifford Ruth, of W. J. White & Son; W. Howard Ogborn, of Freeman Perfume Co.; C. B. Thomas, representing James W. Tufts; Frank A. Bauer, representing Duroy & Haines Co.; J. Harry Odbert, representing Hance Bros & White; E. O. Norte, Upjohn Pill & Granule Co.; Geo. F. Stevens, of Stevens & Stevens; Messrs. Metcalf, Browning & Chase, of Benton Myers & Co.; F. L. Williams, of Tyer Rubber Co.; C. N. Anderson, Pharmacist Cigar Co.

INDIANA ASSOCIATION.

Stamp Tax Discussed.

The Indiana Pharmaceutical Association

held its seventeenth annual meeting_on June 8th and 9th in Indianapolis. The headquarters of the association were at the Denison Hotel, and the sessions were held in the club room. The attendance was only fair. Out of a membership of over 800 only about 185 came to the meeting. The interest manifested by those who did attend was intense.

The first session was called to order at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning by President R. I. Eads, who introduced Mayor Taggart. The Mayor made one of the happiest efforts of his life and told the assembled druggists that the town was theirs. The response was made by F. D. Warner, Mayor of New Carlisle, who said that the reason the association was invited to meet every year in Indianapolis was that the country members were sweet and innocent, their deportment Chesterfieldian and that the city boys loved the odor of sanctity and new mown hay that exhaled from them; concluding, he hoped that when Mayor Taggart had received all the political honors he desired, he might pass the remainder of his days as proprietor of a corner drug store.

The president here read his annual address, which was replete with valuable suggestions. The reports of the officers and committees showed the association to be in a flourishing condition financially and otherwise.

The question of the new "stamp tax" imposed on patents was a subject that called forth some "salty" talk from the members. Each one recalled the receipt from nearly every manufacturer of a printed circular, frantically calling upon them to write to their Congressman and Senator begging them to vote against any tax on medicines, as it would tend to raise prices, ruin the business, and incidentally embarrass the retailer, etc., etc., ad nauseandum. It was the general consensus of opinion that patent medicines should be taxed, not only in time of war, but in time of peace as well, and that the present tax was too light. Every member was advised to make a line of remedies for himself and try to discountenance the use and sale of patents.

The "query box" was filled to repletion with queries that in most cases had no relevancy to the drug business.

a

Wednesday evening there was "smoker" held in the ordinary of the Denison. Punch, lemonade, ice cream, cakes, hot coffee, and a few beakers of the "cool and foaming" were some of the refreshments served, not to mention cigars. There was a great flow of good

feeling and the enjoyable festivities were kept up till the "wee sma' hours."

The next meeting of the association will be held in Indianapolis sometime during the latter part of January, or first week in February, 1899. The legislature will be in session at that time, and it is hoped that the association can bring an influence to bear on the "assembled wisdom" that will conduce to the passage of a pharmacy law.

The officers elected were:

President, F. H. Burton, Evansville; vice-presidents, F. D. Warner, C. E. Elliott, F. W. Meissner; secretary, Arthur Timberlake, Indianapolis; treasurer, Gran. G. Allen, Indianapolis; executive committee, Chas. W. Eichrodt, Bruno Knoefel, Otto C. Bastian.

ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION.

Preliminary Education to Be a Re

quisite for Registration.

Frerksen made a startling attack on the board, claiming that more cases were tried in court than were reported to the association. On motion of Mr. Dyche a committee was appointed to investigate the matter. All the druggists who heard the attack were anxious that the matter be settled and the charges sifted as soon as possible. A lively discussion was precipitated in regard to the brother of John J. Boehm, who sought to register, but was unable to produce a certificate of a high school education in this country. He claimed to have been in a Bohemian gymnasium for six years. Mr. Bodemann insisted that the proof of education must come from a school official in this country on the ground that it is necessary for the druggist to speak English. Mr. Hallberg in this connection attacked the board right and left, and was repeatedly called to order. He persisted in his attacks after President Schuh had pointed out to him the fact that the speeches were out of place. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:

President, Theodore Loehr, of Carlinville; first vice-president, W. H. Brown, of Irving Park; second vice-president, John F. Diller, of Springfield; secretary, Frank Fleury, of Springfield; treasurer, Geo. B. Bartels, of Camp Point.

The highest votes for membership in the Board of Pharmacy to succeed the retiring Chicago member, F. M. Schmidt, were received by William Bodemann, W. A. Dyche and N. Gray Bartlett, all of Chicago. Considerable murmuring was indulged in in regard to holding the meeting at a place like Clifton Terrace, Complaints were made against the accomplace is at the extreme end of the State, modations and against the fact that this compelling those who attend to take an unnecessarily long trip. The larger number of druggists are to be found in the north part of the State, and hence it is urged that the meeting should be held in Chicago.

The Illinois druggists went in a body to the meeting of the Missourians and had a fine time at Forrest Park. Meyer Brothers' place was visited and warmly commended. Mr. Gauss, of Searle & Hereth Co., showed the druggists many attentions that were appreciated. The burial of M. W. Alexander, once president of the American Pharmaceutical As

The nineteenth annual meeting of the Illinois Pharmaceutical Association was called to order June 6th at Clifton Terrace, the Hon. D. R. Sparks, of Alton, Mr. making the welcoming address. Sparks during his speech dwelt humorously on the old ways of administering, contrasting former preparations with the elegant methods in vogue to-day. W. A. Dyche, of Chicago, responded, thanking Mr. Sparks for what he had done in the interests of pharmacy and asking him to use his influence in raising the requirements for registration. President Schuh then read his annual address. C. S. N. Hallberg next read his proposed pharmacy law which is being pushed for introduction in all States, thus securing uniformity. The law was approved. This measure was printed in full in the back of the volume of the eighteenth annual proceedings of the Illinois Association. Its provisions are sweeping. The report of the Committee on Apprenticeship was read by William Bodemann, and the motion contained in it that the board insist on preliminary education as a requisite for registration was approved. Prof. Day of the Chicago College of Pharmacy had been invited to deliver an address on "The Microscopic Study of Vegetable Drugs," and Prof. Davoll to address the meeting on "The Modern Presentation of Chemistry;" both gentlemen complied. The treatment accorded these instructors provoked considerable adverse comment MISSOURI TRAVELERS MEET. among the more conservative druggists, for scarce a handful of auditors remained in the hall, the remainder being outside taking part in the sports. "Either mule races or the pretense of listening to papers ought to be dropped," said one representative druggist. "We have asked these gentlemen to address us, but no one listens to them; the reading of papers should either receive more attention or be abolished." Those who heard the papers read commended them. In spite of the invitations having been extended, C. S. N. Hallberg tried to have the papers read by title, but his motion was defeated. Strange to say, the queries propounded by the board, which members were requested to answer, provoked no discussion. The replies made by William Bodemann were the only ones read (these replies are printed in full elsewhere in this issue). On motion of Mr. Bodemann a committee was appointed to investigate the tablet triturate question. Richard C.

sociation, took place during the visit of the delegation from this State.

A Good Time at St. Louis.

The Missouri Pharmaceutical Travelers' Association held their annual meeting at Forest Park Cottage, St. Louis, on Thursday, June 9th. It was decided to hold the next annual meeting as usual, in conjunction with the Missouri Pharmaceutical Association, at Jefferson City, the first Tuesday in June. A special vote of thanks was tendered the Paragon Quartette, consisting of C. E. Blume. B. J. Bloemker, Joseph Saler and Arthur E. Poss, for their contribution to the meeting. It was decided to send a delegation to the annual meeting of the Nebraska Pharmaceutical Travelers' Association, which will be held at Omaha early in September.

The constitution and by-laws were amended so as to separate the offices of secretary and treasurer. The treasurer's

report showed a balance of thirty-five dollars on hand.

Miss Fredrica De Wyl, of Jefferson City, was elected an honorary member of the organization. Wm. L. Meyer, of the Meyer Bros. Drug Co., was re-appointed chairman of the Entertainment Committee.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Ed. G. Orear, of the Mount City White Lead Co., St. Louis; first vice-president, G. B. Self, with Eli Lilly & Co., Indianapolis, Ind.; second vice-president, Jno. A. Warner, with the Cleveland Varnish Co., Cleveland, O.; third vice-president, Bob Leach, with F. R. Rice Mercantile Cigar Co., St. Louis; secretary, F. R. Scharlach, with J. S. Merrell Drug Co., St. Louis; treasurer, Wm. Leach, with F. R. Rice Mercantile Cigar Co., St. Louis.

Council-W. Johnson, chairman, Meyer Bros. Drug Co.; J. W. Hess, National White Lead Co., St. Louis; W. J. Rowley, Carter White Lead Co., St. Louis; Wm. H. Gregg, Jr., Mound City Paint and Color Co.

STAMP TAX DISCUSSIONS.

Wholesalers Discuss the Tax.

At the regular monthly meeting of the Drug Trade Section of the New York Board of Trade and Transportation on Thursday, June 16th, the subject under special consideration was the new War Revenue bill, and its application to proprietary and medicinal preparations. After the meeting was called to order, Chairman John H. Stallman announced the publication of some four thousand copies of the official tares adopted as a standard by the section (a reprint of the report of the committee on the revision of tares giving the list of customary tares will be found elsewhere in this issue). Copies of the official tares will be sent to the entire wholesale drug trade of the country, and members of the section will be supplied with as many as they may require for distribution to their agents.

The special business of the meeting was then taken up, and J. M. Peters was invited by the chairman to give the members the benefit of his researches into the application of the War Revenue tax and its interpretation. Mr. Peters stated that he had found very little difference between schedule B of the present War Tax and schedule C of the War Revenue bill passed in 1862. Under the last mentioned law, only proprietary articles were taxed, while the present law provided for the taxation of non-secret preparations and the ordinary household remedies put up by retail druggists for retailing. With that exception there is slight difference between the two laws. The question which interested him most was the probable action of the commissioners with reference to the large class of proprietary articles, which are put up in bulk by manufacturing pharmacists for dispensing on physicians' prescriptions, or which are sold by retail druggists at no fixed price. They might be classed as semi-proprietaries or nonsecrets. In an interview with the collector, Mr. Peters had asked what that official would do in the circumstances, and the collector replied that such articles would undoubtedly come under the provisions of the law and require to be stamped. When the collector was told that many of these articles had no fixed

retail price, he changed his opinion, and intimated that it would not be necessary to stamp them. Only articles put up in form for retailing are taxable. The collector was unable to give a decision that would be final, and Mr. Peters suggested that a committee be appointed to wait on the chief commissioner in Washington, and secure a decision on the mooted points, which would be final and binding throughout the country.

Thos. F. Main, of Tarrant & Co., spoke as a manufacturing perfumer and instanced the method of stamping bulk goods which prevailed during the operation of the Act of 1862. At that time perfumers stamped their bulk goods at list prices less the discount, and this method was satisfactory to the Government. He urged the importance of getting a definite decision from the commissioner at Washington before the law goes into effect. Otherwise, some articles may be wrongly stamped, or not stamped at all, and thus, perhaps, leave the merchant guilty of a misdemeanor.

Mr. Plaut the Champion of the Retailers. Albert Plaut, of Lehn & Fink, was convinced that precedents would govern under the operation of the present lawwhat was lawful under the old law will be lawful under the new law. In the case of chemicals, such as antipyrine, phenacetin, piperazin, sulphonal and synthetic compounds generally, these would likely come under the classification of uncompounded chemicals and would require no stamp. Mr. Plaut expressed it as his belief that it was the intent of the law not to tax bulk goods, but only goods put up ready for retailing.

Mr. Plaut paid his respects to a postal card which had been recently mailed to members of the Proprietary Association by a Philadelphia firm of jobbing druggists. It was a short-sighted document to send out, he said, as it would have the effect of discouraging manufacturers from bearing the burden of the tax. Unless the manufacturer does bear the tax, he said, the retailers will be burdened with 80 per cent of the advance. He believed that a majority of manufacturers had agreed to be at the expense of the stamps and to relieve retailers of any burden connected with the War Revenue bill. He considered the objectionable postal card as an invitation to the proprietors to advance their prices. The card was full of mistakes, too. It was instanced that the increased price on dollar articles was placed in this card at $8.75 instead of $8.35.

Mr. Plaut offered the following resolution:

It is the sense of the Drug Trade Section of the New York Board of Trade and Transportation that in view of the smallness of the tax that proprietors be requested to leave their prices and discounts as they stand at present

or if they do advance prices then only to cover the cost of stamps.

This resolution was discussed by several of the members, and was finally withdrawn.

G. W. Hopping, of Seabury & Johnson, opposed Mr. Plaut's resolution and was in favor of making the retailer bear the cost of the stamps, he afterward to advance prices to the consumer. The claims for rebates that would arise otherwise would be very burdensome. He stated that when the proprietors of Winslow's soothing syrup reduced the price from 35 cents to 25 cents they lost $80,000 by the change.

He said there was much dissatisfaction and many trade jealousies caused in 1862 by this matter of rebates.

Mr. Plaut questioned the accuracy of Mr. Hopping's statement and intimated that the reduction in price of Winslow's soothing syrup had nothing whatever to do with the operation of the stamp tax. The reduction was made for other reasons. Mr. Plaut came out as an ardent advocate of the interests of the retail druggists, and brought down on himself the anger of several of the members. One said that the jobber should be the last person in the world to refuse to stand by the manufacturer, since the only persons who benefited by the rebates which were granted after the stamp duty was abolished were the jobbers.

Mr. Hopping was to have introduced a resolution advocating National Government control of the Mississippi levees, but owing to the limited attendance and the absence of a gentleman who was especially interested in the subject, it was left over to the next meeting.

Meeting of Manufacturing Perfumers.

The manufacturing perfumers who met to discuss the War Tax at the rooms of the Board of Trade and Transportation on Friday, June 17th, evidently dread publicity, for at this meeting as at previous gatherings, the presence of a reporter was no sooner noted than a motion to go into executive session was made, and the representative of the press was asked to leave the room.

The meeting was called to order by President Henry Dalley, of Lazell, Dalley & Co., at 11 a. m. The attendance included among others representatives of Tarrant & Co., Theo. Ricksecker, Ladd & Coffin, Rice Bros. & Tiffany, Lazell, Dalley & Co., and other prominent New York perfumers. After the secretary had read the minutes of the preceding meeting, which after a few slight corrections were adopted, Chairman Dalley proceeded to read a number of communications relative to the stamp tax from members who were unable to attend. The Seeley Mfg. Co. wrote to say that any action taken by the association would meet with their approval, and would be abided by. Solon Palmer intimated his intention to advance the wholesale price of his goods 5 per cent to cover the cost of the stamps and to make a separate charge of 5 per cent to cover the expense attendant on the work of affixing the stamps. The change in prices will not appear in his catalogue for some time yet. After the proceedings had gone thus far, the representative of Ladd & Coffin consulted with the chairman and afterward made a motion to go into executive session and exclude the obnoxious agent of publicity. The motion was not seconded until Chairman Dalley had looked around the room and invited a seconder, when Bowles Colgate, of Colgate & Co., came to the rescue of Ladd & Coffin and seconded the motion with a nod of his head.

CHANGES IN THE WEST.

Th. Olson has sold his drug business at Grantsburg, Wis., to Nordal C. Unseth. Wm. Werder, of Ashland, Wis., is arranging to open a stock of drugs in Prentice, Wis.

Dr. C. S. Cheney has located in Oacoma, S. D., as a physician, and will also put in a stock of drugs.

Breakfast is piped and all hands hurry through the meal and light the necessary morning pipe. Eight bells.

The alarm gongs clang the signal "Clear ship for action," throughout the ship from stem to stern, and we know the day's business has begun. All of the few movable articles remaining on deck over night are hurriedly carried below. Battle hatches are shipped. All the guns are cleared for firing and the turrets cast loose so that they can swing. Below deck, as well as above, everyone is in motion. Down in the bowels of the ship the full force of firemen heap coal on the red-hot grates, the grimy machinists, oilcan in hand, move_swiftly about from bearing to bearing. The engineer officers carefully scrutinize each portion of the vast mass of machinery which fills the hold of the vessel. The surgeons hurry to the temporary hospital in the centre of the ship on the berth deck. The apothecary and baymen rush to and fro bearing the operating tables, surgical instruments, antiseptic dressings and medical cases from the exposed position in the regular sick bay (hospital) and dispensary in the bow of the ship to the temporary quarters inside the armor or citadel of the vessel, where they are safe from all except the heaviest armor-piercing shells.

4.15 a. m.

muffled rumble of an ammunition trolley The down in the depths of the hold. whole ship is hushed awaiting the signal to begin firing. Immense black volumes of smoke pour incessantly out of the tremendous smoke stacks. We are close up to the forts now and every instant expect to hear a shell whiz past. But all is quiet as though the enemy had been taken unawares.

First round, 5.15 a. m.

Just as the sun rises from the sea over our stern the eagerly awaited signal of "begin firing" sounds from the trumpets and before the signal ceases the sixpounder speaks, to be followed almost immediately by the report of an eightinch and then of a twelve-inch gun. The

noise and shock are tremendous. The great black volumes of smoke drift rapidly past as we plow through the water. Another eight-inch, then a six, then a four-inch gun speak. The firing becomes general. Through all the din one can distinguish the voices of the different guns; the deep bass of the twelve-inch the shrill tenor of the machine guns, the clear soprano of the six-pounders. Through the murk of the smoke we see the lighthouse tower on the Morro topple over, and then for the first time the enemy replies, opening on us with two small guns from the Morro Castle. Thus we make our first leg of the bombardment with hardly an answer from the Spaniards. Not so, however, with the Indiana and other ships following. Our first twelve-inch sounded reveille for the sleeping soldiers of the forts, who rapidly man their batteries and greet the Indiana with a perfect rain of shell of all kinds, from big thundering ten-inch to the little shrieking six and one pounders.

The bugle sounds "Cease firing," for we are at the end of our firing range, and, turning, steam back to our starting point. All the other ships of the squadron follow in our wake and follow our example. By the time the Terror, the last of the column, is well into the firing range, we are turning once more into line for the second round.

Second round.

Some few fall

The bugles sound and again the guns ring out a hot answer to the Spanish fire. We fly the Admiral's flag and they concentrate their fire on us as we steam rapidly across the firing range, each of our guns being fired as fast as men and machinery can load them. The shells play fierce inspiring tunes in many different keys as they shriek madly past us. short and explode in the water about us, sending up columns of white foam and spray. Most of them hurtle over the ship, and splash into the water far out at sea. We are again near the turning point when a terrific crash, a shower of splinters and a few low groans tell us that the Iowa has received her first baptism of blood. shell has passed through two iron boat frames on the port side of the superstructure and then burst, its fragments riddling ventilators, boats, smoke stacks and decks and wounding three men. They are quietly lowered to the berth deck, where the medical department is ready to receive them. One only is seriously injured. He is placed on the operating table and the apothecary administers chloroform, while the surgeons dress the wounds of the other two. Third round.

A

He is soon unconscious of his pain and of the shrieking of shells and crashing of

no one.

Our third turn is made, the admiral hoists the signal "form column and head seaward" on our mizzen mast. The Terror, the last of the column, has the last shot at the enemy, and lingers so long that the admiral recalls her by signal.

We have inflicted great injury to the forts, and if we had troops we could no doubt land and capture the remaining batteries. The bugles sound "Secure from Our quarters" and the action is over. loss is two killed and seven wounded.

To organize a hospital corps of the navy of the United States, to define its duties, and to regulate its pay.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep resentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that a hospital corps of the United States Navy is hereby established, and shall consist of pharmacists, hospital stewards, hospital apprentices, first-class, and hospital apprentices, and for this purpose the Secretary of the Navy is empowered to appoint twenty-five pharmacists with the rank, pay and privileges of warrant officers, and to enlist, or cause to be enlisted, as many hospital stewards, hospital apprentices, first-class, and hospital ap. prentices, as in his judgment may be necessary, and to limit or fix the number, and to make such regulations as may be required for their enlistment and government; enlisted men in the navy or the marine corps shall be eligible for transfer to the hospital corps, and vacancies occurring in the grade of pharmacist shall be filled by the Secretary of the Navy by selection from those holding the rate of hospital steward.

ves.

Sec. 2. That all necessary hospital and ambulance service at naval hospitals, naval stations, navy yards, and marine barracks, and on sels of the navy, coast survey, and fish commission shall be performed by the members of said corps, and the corps shall be permanently attached to the medical department of the navy, and shall not be included in the effective strength of the navy, nor be counted as a part of the enlisted force provided by law, but shall be subject to the laws and regulations for the government of the navy.

stewards

Sec. 3. That the pay of hospital shall be sixty dollars a month, the pay of hospital apprentices, first-class, twenty dollars a month, and the pay of hospital apprentices eighteen dollars a month, with the increase on account of length of service as is now or may bereafter be allowed by law to other enlisted men in the navy.

Sec. 4. That all benefits derived from existing laws, or that may hereafter be allowed by law to other warrant officers or enlisted men in the navy, shall be allowed in the same manner officers to the warrant enlisted men in the hospital corps of the navy.

or

Sec. 5. That all acts and parts of acts so far as they conflict with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed.