New Britain herald., 1923-12-24

RUM RUNNERS MAKE
 IMMENSE PROFITS
Despite Captures ''Business'
 Proves Lucrative

New York, Dec. 24.-The war ot government forces on Rum Row, seal of history's greatest smuggling opera tions, an activity that since last Jan- uary, has provided many thrilling stories of piracy, tragedy. comedy and battle, has netted a rich haul in ships, liquor and men.
 Conservative, unofficial estimates of the seizures by coast guards, customs and treasury department agents, pro- hibition agents and policemen develop the following list:
 Small rum running speed boats 15O Deep sea craft .........,..... lo SeaplaneS ......'. ..'s.'''.' l Motor vehicles ............... 40 Men .............. '..'.... oio Cases of liquor 7,Oo0
 In addition to the seizures coast guards caused more than 100 runners to jettison their cargoes, averaging 50 cases boat.
 The monetary loss to smugglers through these captures is estimated at about s5,o0O,00o, but they only laugh at this, claiming the loss to be but "a drop in the bucket compared to the gain of successful operations.
 Rum-smuggling, begun on a small scale off the New Jersey coast in 1921, was extended all along the Atlantic seaboard in 1922, and the first big an- chorage of rum-carriers established in the waters south of Ambrose Light ship last January esta blished the now famous Rum Row, location desirable for the runners of Long Island as well as for those of New Jersey. Nineteen rum boats, including three steamers were parked on the Row at the height of the January trade, and since that time there has been always at least one rum carried out there doing busi- ness.
 Coast guard boats launched the campaign against the runners in the first month, seized at least dozen of the craft, and smuggling became d hazardous game.
 Federal agents ashore began con- certed operations against the motor truck runners, and many rich prizes fell into their hands. still the business continued. The gaps made in the run ners' rank by captures filled like a hole dug in dray sand. Captures in- creased in number, smuggling increas- ed in volume.
 In the summer months seaplane was employed by the runners on the Long Island shore for scout work. One day the seaplane, disabled. made a forced landing near d coast guard station and was captured.
 Some of the bigger craft of the became Nentnresome then and were caught close inshore. Morn- ing was unfolding two months ago when the coast guard cutters on rum patrol sighted the Tomoka, a British schooner, about six miles. off the Jer- sey beach. They chased her through haze. oyerhauled her and took her captain and crew, and "Rummy Bill" Mccoy, the king of rum smugglers.
 A week later the Dragon, palatial cabin cruiser equipped with radio was captured. She is said to have been the mother boat Of the swarm of small runners. her duties being to warn them Of impending langer and the whereabouts of the government craft.
 The latest seizure Of consequence, he Dutch auxiliary schooner Zee aond, ended the career Of the trans port used by Mamie" Kessler, the oootlegger king, the shore rival of Mccoy. Kesslor is at Atlanta to Ierye a term for conspiracy to violate he prohibition laws.