Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-03
STOP
RUNNING CHANCES
Effect Of Countrywide Law
Is to Put Them on
Their Guard.

Apprehension OF bootleggerS ts no
longer an easy matter. It is not be-
cause there are no such individuals
in this city, it is stated, but because
the persons engaged in the business
before the entire country went dry.
Hundreds Of persons were willing to
engage in the business when II was
possible for them to get supplies from
Baltimore at moderate prices and dis
pose Of 1t at prices SO much in ad-
vance that their days receipts Melted
them as much as several hundred
dollars
In numerous instances it was re-
ported that bootleggers were heard to
say: What difference does 1t make
If get caught after I have earned
thousands OF dollars? II get year
in jail that's nothing compared with
the money have in bank"
During recent weeks, more espe-
cially since the federal law put O
stop to the source of supply, it is
stated. there has been a change in
both the character Of the bootlegger
and the prices charged for whisky.
Heretofore, according to police rec
ords. great majority of the boot
leggers were colored men and women
leg circles, much of the dealing is
done by white men. A few colored
runners, 1t is said, are still at work.
you would be surprised to learn
the names Of some of the men en-
gagged in the business" was a state
ment made to a Star reporter.
Have Supply on Hand.
It is known by the police that many
residents Of this city have large sup
plies of whisky on hand. They are
PEOPLE who probably can AFFORD to carry
the large supplies. according to state
ments Of the police and others, but in
some quarters it is limited that in all
such instances the liquor is not in
tended for personal use, a claim that
was made by nine-tenths Of the persons
arrested for bringing liquor here from
Baltimore.
Very seldom are the prohibition de-
tectives on duty on the roads at the
District line looking for persons bring
ing automobile loads Of intoxicants from
Baltimore and other places in Maryland.
policemen familiar with the situation
knowing 1t is next to impossible to pur-
chase supplies In Maryland.
rLiquor is getting scarce here" said
man In Baltimore, land the people
here want it all for themselves. Ger
tainly they are not going to let it go
to Washington.
at was not until prohibition became
q reality" he added, that Baltifhoreans
realized what prohibition would mean,
and they have no thought Of letting peo-
pie outside the state carry away what
little whisky they have on hand"
49, Prices Have Increased.
A resident Of this city who is farnil-
lar with the bootleg situation said that
- hi tyx 40 go
and quality has increased since the
country became dry.
But, like all other buying and SELL
Ing" he said. 1.-THE prices are not all
the same" s,o-s..s.gs,f
Ten dollars q quart Is the standard
increase of SO per cent is expected
befOre Christmas Most persons who
handle. sshorties," he said, are asking
$3.50 apiece for them, while q cut
rate bootlegeer is said to be offering
them for $2.25, and q few of them
men who believe in taking. practically
no schance while engaged In the bust
mess are still serving regular GUS
toners sfortfes" at the old prizes
Of e. ,.,,n 49,. .,,,.,,,.. 49,. -.
inquiry made OF a reputed bootlegger
on the street yesterday afternoon.
got bit on hand?" was his reply. .
II wanted bottle this morning.,
he added, "and had to pay 50 for
quart, but IL you want that wouldn't
mind letting you have 1t"
That's what they all say" remark
ed an individual familiar, with the
methods Of bootleggers. They seem
to think by making it appear they
are only accommodating you that
there Is no violation Of law.
But it Is violatioQ. just the same,
and II such fellows get in court they
may expect q vacation on the farm
as guests OF the District"