Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 88.djvu/92

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FTER a crusade of about six months, the police of Los Angeles, Calif., have destroyed the results of their successful raids on opium dens in an immense $25,000 bonfire, the flames of which were fed by confiscated marihuana, contraband opium and "hop" pipes. This strange fire was ignited by inspectors for the State Board of Pharmacy at the Plaza in Los Angeles, Calif.

The motion picture companies all sent men to the spot. A battery of cameras was set up. One of the accompanying pictures shows three cameras busily taking "close ups" just before the match was applied. Several more cameras are in the background.

One ton of marihuana or "Indian hemp" was put on the fire. Marihuana is a weed with narcotic properties, is closely akin to hasheesh, and is smoked when dry. It is in particular favor with Mexicans. A ton of it at retail prices would bring $16,000. A great number of tael cans of opium appraised at about $7,000 furnished additional fuel. Among the confiscated goods were fifty opium pipes.

One was taken from an old Chinaman who had smoked since he was a boy. He was convicted in court and paid his fine without a murmur. But when the officers told him his pipe would be confiscated, tears came to his eyes. He offered first $50 for its return, and then by jumps of $50 each brought the price up to $400.

Hundreds were at the scene of the fire, some drawn by curiosity, others to take a farewell look at the precious burning dream-stuff.

The officers placed big wooden boxes in a square and then set pipes, cans, bottles, trays and small boxes of the "dope" on them.

Half a dozen cameras lined up to film the big little fire

Hundreds of heartbroken "dope fiends" watched the prepartaions. In the picture below the flames are reaching for the precious opium pipes, destroying the lottery tickets and filling the air with the soothing fumes of opium and marihuana

Wires were strung around the square and the pipes were hung in a row. On the boxes also, were scattered paper slips with Chinese characters on them. These were confiscated lottery tickets.

The officers poured on coal oil and applied the torch. In five minutes it was a pile of tin cans and ashes.