The New York herald., 1921-05-12
PROMINENT MEN Are
IMPLICATED IN PLOT
TO SMUCCLE LIQUOR
Warrants Already Are Out
for Persons Prominent in
Seaport Cities.
UNDER SURVEILLANCE
Philadelphia Customs Head
Says Stock Is Almost Worth
Weight in Gold.
SHIPS AND PLANES USED
Asserts Practically Every Nook
Along Coast Is Being Used
to Rush In Booze.

Special Despatch to The New YORK HERALD.
ATLANTIC CITY, May 1.-THE most
elaborate system of liquor smuggling
yet uncovered, a system backed finan-
cially by some of the most prominent
men in the Atlantic coast cities, will
be exposed within a few days. 1t was
made known here tonight by Charles
r. Kurtz, Surveyor of Customs Of
Philadelphia. 1t was stated that the
warrants in the case already have
been issued and that the men named
in them are under surveillance. The
seizure here Monday of s50,00o worth
of liquor found on board ship was
the first move in the Governments
plan of action, Mr.. Kurtz said.
According to the Surveyor, all the
liquor handled by the smugglers is i'm
ported stock and worth almost its
weight in gold once 1t Is taken ashore
and offered for sale. The plot to bring
in the liquor, it was explained, was dis
covered by customs agents, and the
warrants will charge violation of Gus
toms regulations as well as OF the
Federal prohibition act.
Transatlantic liners. their shabby sis
ters. the freighters. speed yachts and
motorboats, fishing schooners and other
light draught vessels and even airplanes.
seaplanes and hydroairplanes are being
utilized by the smugglers. according to
information in the possession of Mr.
Kurtz's men. In the great mass OF
evidence the Surveyor says he has there
Is proof that practically every nook
along the seaboard lis a meeting place
Mt one time or other for the smugglers
who operate the boats and their as
sistants who operate their fast auto
mobiles ashore
Liquor Is Transshfpped.
According to Mr.. Kurtz the greater
part of the liquor being brought here
from Europe is transshipped to vessels
OF light draught at a point just east
of Atlantic City and just beyond the
three mile limit.
The liquor seized here Monday was
said to have been taken from light
draught ship that had carried 1t from
.ust tina. point.
Mr.. Kurtz said tonight that the big
oceangoing ships take the whiskey and
wines aboard in foreign ports and
bring them to a designated spot on this
side of the Atlantic. Upon arrival at
the secret meeting place. known to the
shippers of both the small and the big
ship, as was the meeting places OF army
transports and their escorts during the
war. the light draft boats run up
reside the others and take the cases Of
contraband aboard. In time of storm
the transshipment Is made under the
greatest difficulty. but the reward is
big and the smugglers take their
chances willingly.
The vessels operating between tho
American cities and the incoming liners
are all OF size that can easily run
into practically every coast town. They
draw little water, and as they are
known locally. attract no attention.
Fishing boats and motor boats are used
in hurrying the liquor from the point
OF arrival Of the bigger local ship 10
other cities up and down the coast.
AirpInnes Seen ms Messengers.
Just what part the airplanes and the
seaplanes play in the smuggling game
| is a mystery just now, so far as eould
be learned. 1t Is believed, however
| that the airplanes are used for carry
| ing messages and reporting the APP
proach OF liquor laden frelghters AM
that the seapanes in times of necessity
are used for carrying liquor.
Atlantic City is regarded by Mr.. kurtI
az one OF the chief landing places USED
by the smugglers. Mr.. kurtz, Whoss
territory Includes part OF New YORK. All
of New Jersey. Delaware and PenhsSi-
vania. said that the New Jersey coast
line offers many untrequented spots TO-
the landing OF liquor. and that the
smugglers have taken advantage OF
them.
The game or smuggling liquor has
rsached the point, the Surveyor said.
where the smugglers are employing
| dummy ships. whose shippers have or
ders to navigate as n afraid Of inNest-
cation by the authorities. The dummies
draw the attention OF rsvenue cutters
that may be watching for the smugglers
and the smugglers slip by without being
inspected. All the smuggling is done al
night. he said.
The prospect OF immediate and large
profits has brought business men OF
means to the support of the smuggling
gang. investigators have reported to the
Surveyor. They have refused 70 believe
that their operations could b. uncovered.
Mr.. Kurtz says the execution OF the
warrants will surprise the persons
named In them