The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1923-02-23
EXCITING SHOTGUN RAID ON
PILSEN BREWERY, CHICAGO
Raided Brewery Said to be Cen
ter of Chicago's Protected
Beer Running
GROGAN IN L1ME-LIGHT
In Fusilade with Shotguns, Drys
Seize Truck Loaded with
Kegs and Cases

Under the leadership OF John +.
Early, chief field officer of the Prof-
bition department OF Chicago. dry en-
forCement agents engaged i'll an ex-
citing midnight shotgun skirmish in
a raid on the Pilsen brewery of Chi
cago, says dispatch in the Chicago
Daily News OF February 9,
The dispatch says that the raiders
spotted Barney Grogan, a prominent
west-side Chicago politician, direct
ing the trucks from behind the locked
gates OF the brewery.
This brewery is said to be the CEN
ter OF protected beer running in Chi
cago. Mr. Early has asked United
States Commissioner Glass to issue a
warrant Tor the arrest OF Grogau. As
4 result "hger-ups arc said to be pull
ing wires TO bring about the removal
OF Early from office and the appoint
mcnt OF local politician in his stead.
This raid is the first blow struck at
protected beer running in weeks, says
the story.
The Prohibition chief and squad
OF men armed with shotguns, drove to
the brewery and waited just outside in
their automobile. Presently the gates
swung open and truck rolled out
loaded to the limit with kegs and
cases. Early shouted, Halt" The
driver opened up aud gave his truck
full speed ;head The raiders fired
and then as tie rain OF shot ratified
harmlessly against the steel OF the
truck, threw their car i'll the path oi
the bootleggers and waited with lev
elled guns. The driver, unable &c
turn, slidded to stop and surrcn-
dcred. While his truck was still
blocking the street, The gatec opened
again and a second truck came out
this one 4 city dump wagon, according
to the raiders. It. too, was captured
at the point OF shotguns.
II is said that the raiders in a later
visit 10 the brewery found Grogan in
the capacity OF manager. According
TO the Chicago Daily News story, beer
running is under protection OF GER
tain policemen in the city OF Chicago
and the Plsen brewery has been ia
vored above all others. Certain west
side politicians even go SO far as to
order runners to patronize some brew
cries and 10 blacklist others, il is
charged.
The Pilsen brewery was in trouble
with the federal authorities last win
ter. Internal revenue agents seized
the brewery but by the time the case
reached Judge Carpenter the govern
ment was unable to prove its charge
that real beer had been manufactured
The court then ordered the brewery
restored to its owners.
Does any intelligent person believe
that the brewers OF this country would
have any more respect for law limit
ing the alcoholic content Of their out
put to two and a half per cent than
they have for the present law? Court
records prove conclusivcly that the
brewers are the most criminal element
of the liquor fraternity, They have
always deiied every law enacted to
regulate the conduct of their business.
If any exemptions from the provisions
of the Eighteenth Article OF the Con-
stitution are TO be granted booze max
ers and booze sellers, why bestow this
favor upon the most criminal element
in the liquor business?