Evening star., 1922-03-13
POLICE PUSH WAR
ON BOOTLEGGERS
Oyster Summons Captains to
Map Out Campaign Against
Rum-RunnerS.

Determined to break up bootleg
ging in the National Capital If possi-
BILE, Commissioner Oyster. in charge
of police affairs, has summoned the
precinct captains to meet with him
at the District building tomorrow to
map out a more intensive campaign
against rum-runners.
This conference will be followed by
similar talk with precinct detec-
tives and plain clothes men signed
to enforce the eighteenth amendment.
the police department as whole is
making every effort to capture booze
peddlers. 1t Is understood he feels
that one or two precincts are not
making as good a showing as they
might
The Commissioner still has a flying
squadron organized to make war on
whisky sellers, and whenever the
precincts are unable TO get evidence
on q suspected "speak-easy because
the identity Of the officers Is known
to the violators. other methods will
be adopted for those localities.
I'VE want to get the big fellows. :"
said Capt. Oyster today. discussing
the bootlegging situation. The little
ones. who deal in small quantities.
\
source. and those are the places to be
wiped out"
Commissioner oyster indicated plain
ly today that he has confidence
in the ability Of the men who make
up the police department to enforce
the law. and intends to support them
in their efforts.
Approves Stars Crusade.
Belief that The Stars crusade
against poisonous and injurious boot
leg liquor will be the means of saw
ing human lie was expressed today
by Maj. Sullivan, superintendent of
police.
ers of liquor to be more careful" he
said. land Is so much in the cause of
humanity that it should appeal to
everybody. l have no doubt 1t will
be the means of saving human life.
1t will make some drinkers fearful Of
what they are buying from bootleg
gers and drinking without first ex-
amining the stuff purchased.
Il am greatly pleased with The
Stars campaign against the sale and
drinking of poisonous liquor. If the
publicity does not save human life it
will be the fault of the victims. They
certainly have had ample warning"
Inspector Grant, chief Of detectives.
who has come in contact with many
victims of the poisonous fluids mas
Querading as whisky and gin. told q
Star reporter he thought the report
of the health department chemist
should be enough to make everybody
shun bootleg whisky.
Lures Some in High Places.
1t is not only the poor drunkards
who are likely to be affected by the
poisonous liquids, the inspector
stated. Many persons of wealth and
influence interested in the countrys 8
affairs. he declared, like to hear:
Wouldn't you like me to get a
The Stars campaign. he said. has
turned the people from drinking to
thinking. Only couple of days ago,
he said. while in barber shop he
heard an interesting discussion Of
The Stars campaign against the
poisoned liquor.
Inspector Grant said he had seen
persons accused of crime deny hav-
Ing the slightest recollection of their
acts, all on account of having imbibed
some of the stun peddled by boot
leggeEs. Two or .t, three drinks simply
ers, and while in such condition they
did things they would not think Of
doing when not under the influence
Of the poisonous mixtures.
Contained, sEkicl" and "Kicker."
Il recall one instance Of a man who
told of having taken two or three
drinks and being absolutely robbed
of his power to, think or act" the in
spector said, land when he recovered
he said he was certain what he had
imbibed contained not only the proven
bial kick, but also the mule that does
the kicking"
Inspector Grant said he Thought
there was very little real whisky
being offered for sale at any price.
He doubted II there was any real
whisky being handled by bootleggers.
Such persons are offering liquids
marked Bottled in bond" the inspec-
tor said, ana some of the bottles con :
tain what purports to be the govern
ment guarantee.
"But a stamp or label means moth.
ing" he said. "Bootleggers have
learned to forge labels. stamps and
other paper calculated to deceive the
public, and my advice Is to seek the
services, OF chemist before samplinR
the contents of bottles
The inspector said he thought If
any good whisky Is being offered for
sale It is only in small quantities and
! in so secretive a manner that 1t is not
obtainable by the average person who
is willing to patronize bootleggers.
Persons who have the genuine ar
ticle, he said, procured 1t before the
country went dry, and II they are
willing to dispose of 1t they are sure
To demand all kinds of Drfces frr ~