Evening journal., 1922-08-09
rum RUNNERS
ON THE RIVER
Phila. Collector of Port
Wants Armed Boat to
Combat Pirates
VESSELS ALSO
BRING BOOZE

PHILADELPHIA. Aug "a.
Lincoln Acker. Collector OF the Port.
has appealed TO Secretary Mellon.
OF the Treasury Department. for a
fast cutter 10 combat rum running
on the Delaware.
According to customs officials
liquor of choicest brands in large
quantities Is being brought into the
Port OF Philadelphia on small swift,
unobtrusive craft. manned with
crews as desperate as any that raked
the Caribbean in days Of old.
The rum runners. who wear no
cutlasses. but have the more effect
i've Colt AS automatic in ready
reach. are as bold and defiant as
were the buccaneers OF Colonial
days. who hawked their stolen
goods up old Dock Creek and spent
their blood-stained gold in the pot
houses along the riven bank.
Collector Acker believes that the
only effective method OF wagiDg
warfare against these rum cor
sairs is with a boat fieeter than
their own not armed with one
Founders or rapid fire guns. but fill-
ed with customs officers who will
draw as ready an automatic as their
foes.
An alluring tint OF romance has
been given TO the operations OF the
river pirates. Up and down the
waterfront tales are being told OF
the bold methods resorted to in an
effort. virtually always successful.
TO land smoky Scotch or mellow
Irish. Holland gin or heavy ia
maica rum.
The contraband is being brought
over on ships OF all sorts. tramps
and vessels in the regular freight
and passenger service. According TO
the rumor. ships bring from three
10 700 cases of choice liquor.
The plan, as Il is being worked,
is for the local bootleggers to give
to their trusted agents on
the ships before they sail from this
side. When the ships reach their
destination abroad IL is a simple
matter to purchase as much liquor
as the agents have money TO pay
for. Getting It aboard is not diff
hcult either. especially II it Is with
the connivance Of the captain or
other ships officers. as is said TO
be the case frequently.
Wireless and secret codes figure
largely in the landing operations be-
cause It is necessary for the agent on
the ship to inform his confederates
ashore that he is bringing the liquor
and the time he will land II az a
spot agreed upon in advance.
Complaisant captains have been
known TO stop their engines after
passing the breakwater II they found
themselves running ahead OF the
bootleg schedule. Then. timing the
speed OF their vessels. they depart
again at such a time as will bring
them TO the rendezvous on the dot.
II isn't necessary 10 put the rum
ashore. Here is where the swift
come in. When the ship
comes opposite a landmark agreed
upon in advance. a swift small boat
shoots out and runs alongside. May !
be there are two or three Of the
craft If the consignment is large. |
rhe cases OF liquor have been |
brought on deck meanwhile, and, as
he small boats come up, the cases
are thrown overheard. They float, |
md the cases are easily salvaged |
rom the waters of the bay or the
over reaches Of the river. Then 1t is
/ swift run to some convenient cove
md transfer OF the cases 10 either
ache, where they will,remain safely
hidden until wanted, or to swift
motor trucks. which carry them on
he next leg Of their journey.
What we need" said ]. K. Lathy,
pecial deputy collector. lis a boat
orty or fifty feet long, speedy.
raft with which we will be able to
ope with river pirates. BY that term
mean small craft that we know
ave been running liquor ashore
rom Incoming foreign vessels.
The customs authorities are help
,ss at present. We know liquor Is
oning in almost daily. and it is
ur thought that it is passed over
he side to the smaller boats and
hen into the port of Philadelphia.
THE smuegled liquor Is being
in on tramp steamships and
-nited States Shipping Board steam
hips as well. It is the purpose OF
le customs authorities in this port
, man tho proposed boat them
elves and have It ready to proceed
a moments notice.
1T As not decided yet whether II
i'll be used for patrol duty. 1t Is
OF our intention to go outside with
but simply to cover the upper
art Of the bay and the river"
Il have not heard of the move OF
le customs authorities to get a
oat but I think II is an excellent
Ian" Prohibition Director Davis
i'd. "A boat is most needful TO
-event the smuggling of contra
and liquor into this port. and I
lall write to Washington and ask
lat the request of the customs Of
,iaIs be granted. The prohibition
apartment will gladly cooperate
ith the customs authorities in
up the smuggling Of liquor.
here IS no question about II that
is being done"