The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-21
RUM RUNNERS RENEW ACTIVE TRADE FOR HOLIDAY SEASON
Plainly Visible, Bottle Fish ermen' Dicker With Liquor Ships Off Sandy Hook

HIGHLANDS, IN. d., NOV. ZO.-( By Associated Press.)-Rum row today opened its pre-holiday sale.
 At sundown more than dozen bottle fishermen from points along the New Jersey and Long Island shores could be seen dashing toward the fleet of liquor carriers, now five strong. and anchored about seven miles off the Ambrose channel light ship, at the entrance to New York harbor.
 Several shore craft had visited the fleet earlier in the day.
 At dusk, nine speedy boats were alongside the rum fleet, while others could be sene approaching from Sandy Hook bay and the Long Island shore Having made an early start, the ped dlers were expected to, complete two trips during the night.
 Rum Visible On Deck.
 One of the rum fleet had large number of cases visible. They were stacked on her deck, ready for prompt delivery to smaller craft.
 A vessel, identified ashore as the dispatch boat of a New York rum syndicate, lay alongside the larger steamer. 1t was believed along the Jersey coast that brisk business was expected tonight, as unfavorable weather lately had been handicap ping runners, and bootleggers were reported to be pressed with demands for bottled Thanksgiving and Christ mas cheer. Reports received about ten days ago were to the effect that heavy rum fleet was on it's way from the Bahamas with 8 $50o, ,o0O cargo,
 From points where the rum fleet could be seen there were indication of the shore boat captains dickering with the shippers of the larger yes sels. The smaller craft darted first to one ship and then another, the majority of them finally returning to white sailing vessel that apparently was offering goods for the lowset price.
 Two Steamers In FItt
 The fleet was composed of two steamers, one of which arrived about 9 week ago, and three sail boats.
 The police departments marine di- vision was advised about IS days ago that three British steamships had sailed recently from Nassau with 3O,OOO cases of whisky for an un known destination.
 Marine police speed boat comman- ders have been instructed to ascer tam whether vessels anchor within the three-mile limit, and if so to
 
 tempt to establish connections with bootleggers ashore
 The latest assault of bottle fisher men, coming on the heels of an an nouncement from Washington that the treasury department had asked the budget director for SlO.OO0.00 for the prohibition bureau in 1924. was looked upon by local dry chiefs as confirming evidence that larger aDDTODTl5tlOnC equipment and a reinforced personnel would be necessary to stem the tide of smuggled liquor.
 spurred By High Prices.
 .Spurred to action by high prices oi1ered by bootleg rings in New York ana Jersey, the bottle fishermen" put out from many towns to take on their loads from the fleet of five ves- sells.
 Before dusk nine vessels had gone out and could be seen dickering with the shippers of the liquor ships. It was seven of these nine that re- turned one of the others, out of Ferth Amboy, was forced to d1rnn her entire cargo, apparently about 70 cases of liquor, overheard. Her crew laughed, without mirth. how ever, at Warrant Officer Triton as ne drew alongside with his crew of coast suardsmen. The other boat dumped about 50 cases over the side and escaped.
 A few minutes before o'clock eight other runners had put out for the fleet, the boats passing Sandy HOOK In single file. Ten miles east or the regular liquor market lies . three e-masted schooner, selling liouor to the Long Island rum runners who put out from Jones inlet.
 
 Most or the liquor aboard the five vessels Tn the row was. reported as having been purchased by a Man haitian syndicate.