Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-21
INADEQUATE FORCE

New YORK, Nov. ZU.-CoaSt guard
headquarters stated tonight that It
was aware of the seasonable activity
of rum runners off the Jersey coast,
as reported today in Associated
Press dispatches from Highlands.
but that no extra patrol craft were
available here to combat the snug
Cling operations.
The cutter Gresham, however, left
at dusk for Rum Row for its nightly
tour of duty and two swift craft
which have accounted for a dozen
smugglers' speed boats in the last
month hurried out to Ambrose Chan
mel to cut off runners from Long
Island Ravens. In addition New York
police boats are under orders to
keep a constant lookout for the latest
fleet reported to have left the Ba-
hamas.
The police departments maritime
division was advised about Is days
agL that three Rr.tish steamships
had sailed recently from Nashau with
10000 cases of wuIskey and an ua-
known destination.
Marine police speedboat command
ers here have instructions to ascet-
tain whether the vessels anchor
within the three mile limit, and Ii so
to seize any smaller craft that NAV
attempt to establish connections win
the bootleggerS ashore.
The latest assault of bottle fishe"-
men, coming on the heels of an an
nuancement from Washington That
the Treasury department had asked
the budget director for 10000, 900 for
the prohibition bureau of 1924, was
looked upon by local dry chiefs as
confirming evidence that larger APP
preparations. more speed boat equip
ment and a reinforced personnel
would be necessary to stem the tide
of Struggled liquors.
Highlands, a summer resort, leap
ed into notoriety as ''bootleggers'
haven" and winter resort in the midst
of last years holiday season. after
The Associated Press disclosed that
rum fleet was stationed off shore,
doing a wholesale business with bot
tie runners and bootleggers who made
the New Jersey port their head
quarters.
Thousands of cases of liquor were
landed at Highlands and her sister
ports before prohibition authorities
could mobilize sufficient sea craft
to cut in on the traffic. There were
numerous seizures and scores Of ar
rests. -
But despite the official activity,
Highlands continued throughout the
summer sporadically to get into the
headlines as the rum runners, after
playing possum for a time, would
launch new fleets of fast boats and
resume business with as much auda-
city as ever.
In the last few months an increas-
ing number of the booze smugglers
had shifted operations from New
Jersey to Long Island.
The night was ideal for rum run
ming, there being a light, choppy sea
and bright full moon.
Some of the larger boats used by the
rum runners were equipped with radio
sets. enabling them to maintain COM
munication with the shore for infor-
nation concerning rum boat chasers.
Most of the liquor aboard the five
vessels in the Row" was reported as
having been purchased by a Manhat-
tan syndicate. The manager of this
syndicate visited the fleet this after
noon. apparently striking a bargain for
some of the boats that went out to-
night were known to have connections
with the syndicate.
1t was believed the runners were be-
ing paid a specified amount for each
case of liquor brought ashore.