New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-14
s2.5OO,O00Ru1n
Smuggling Ring
Faces Collapse
Federal Agents Have Seized
100000 Liquor, $780,
600 Ships. $4,000 Autos
and Made Many Arrests
Four Vessels Still Free


The international rum smugglers'
ring. which is believed TO have suffered
fatal injury BY the recent activities OF
nrohibition enforcement agents, in
volved invested capital of more than
$500 600. it was learned yesterday
from those directing the attack on
the conspiracy.
Nine vessels constituted the fleet of
the liquor smugglers. They owned
powerful automobiles and motor trucks
with which 70 carry away the contra
hand when it had been landed They
had well equipped and thoroughly or
gained distribution stations.
Five vessels believed to be rum run
ners have been seized by federal
agents. So have many Of the automo-
b;les and motor trucks. Distributing
stations have been raided. Scores of
EMPLOYEES have been arrested The
entire business is said to be totterine
and the investment on the verge of
total loss.
Total Results of Raids
There have been whisky seizures to-
falling 100000. Ship seizures are esti-
mated at 100000 and automobile seiz-
ures at $4,000. A score of men are un-
der arrest and have been held for trial.
One man, greved by the loss of his
ship. has attempted suicide. Ten men
nre fugitives. and formerly prominent
business men, who are alleged to have
backed the venture, are tremblingly
waiting for the ak to fall.
Among the rum running ships still at
large ere believed to be one two-fun-
need steam freighter and three wind
tanners The ships seized are all
schooners. These ships are the Thorn
aston held at Camden, where its cap
tain, Lewis B. Neppel, tried to hang
himself; the Jennie T., held st New
the Pocomoke, held in Atlantic City,
and the Henry T. Marshall, held in New
York.
With the Marshall $4,000 worth of
intoxcants were seized and with the
Thomaston 100000 worth of liquors
fell into the hands Of the government
agents.
The success OF the United States
government so far in harassing the
alleged rum-running conspirators is
due 10 the efficiency of the revenue
and coast guard cutter and airplane
feet and the land enforcement
agents. The British government has
refused to interfere in eases where the
seized ships are OF British registry.
Hayward Explains Three-Niie Limit
Statements regarding the proceed
ings in the case of the Marshall, which
IS believed to be Of legal British
registry. we're issued yesterday from
the United States District Attorneys
Office in New York. One of these
statements IS from United States Dis
trict Attorney Hayward and followed
Clark, assistant attorney in charge of
the case, that he had filed two libels
against the Marshall and one against
its cargo. Colonel Hayward's state
ment follows:
THE Attorney General having au-
thorized me to proceed as my judgment
dictated in the matter of the schooner
Marshall. | have prepared libels under
various revenue statutes for the col
lection Of penalties and for the for
feiture Of the ship and cargo.
The seizure Of this experienced and
hitherto successful rum runner outside
the three-mile limit has given rise to
considerable comment. It is by no
means an unusual procedure. Our law
extending to twelve miles the right OF
search and seizure in case Of attempted
frauds upon the revenue was passed in
1870. shortly after the United States
came into being.
1T was not new with US, but was
fashioned after the so-caled British
lowering act which was passed in
iIS6, and similarly extended the Brit
Ism Jurisdiction to twelve miles from
the shore. Both acts repeatedly have
been held consistent with the laws and
asages Of nations. notably by our great
iaw-giver. Chief Justice Marshall.
"As 70 the so-called three-mile limit.
It Is Al ancient doctrine that a nation
has right to protect itself against
vessels carrying concealed cannon, and
It's jurisdiction over the sea has been
recognized Up to the distance Of a can
non shot. OF course, the old smooth
pore cannon Of the eighteenth century
could snoot no more than three miles,
90 IN those Anticipated weapons we have
the origin OF the three-mile limit.
put the right Of nation to prevent
hs avs from being violated is not re-
stTined 20 this limit. 1t may watch
ITS 7oass and seize ships which are APP
proacning with an intent TO violate its
laws l. Is rot obliged 70 wait until
@@-~-@~' II
can ac.. 1t may guard against injury
az we'll az punish it. This is a well
settled doctrine.'
Forty Brooklyn Cases Dismissed
IAe grand jury in Brooklyn yester-
osg. after considering seventy-six
nqppr Law violation cases, returned
'h'Ey-six Indictments and forty dis
m.ssals- The jury was reported to be
inctnSee BY several excesses Of author
NY oy police in making arrests, after
1e@fen'ng and Selling without warrant.
cases.
IN the case Of Frank Scarpiniti, OF
100 >k..4'naa Street, the jury dismissed
warn Sc4rpiniti zwore that his wife
~af ABOUT 70 become d mother and that
.''e PREV had been made for ceIcbra-
Ia 70 be neld In connection with the
SSa,s~sentag. In many other cases where
ssa'nlsSz.s resulted only small guam
''esss 81 lrtoxicants were found.
9talc Prohibition Agent Brown in
-'sw Jersey ruled yesterday that it is
re1n.Eslole FIR any one 10 make 200
<~-''aS 81 vine year, providing It il
- personal use The only condition
g s,at me person mugt hrst get per-
-.- 70 make the vine. Without such
Fes'Ns% the c4stsllsr IL liable 10 arrest