Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-10
Tuesday, April 10. 1923.
ON THE RUM TRAIL

Statistics from the various states
show that there has been marked
falling off in deaths from cirrhosis OF
tt~ liver since prohibition went into
effect, Notwithstanding the news re-
ports are filled with stores about
rum running.
II is to be expected t, pln!ons
will differ respecting this situation.
One may insist that the real reason
why those who drink the bootleg
liquor don't die of cirrhosis of the
liver is because they haven't time in
which to contract the disease. The
bootleg poison kills too quickly.
Another will declare that the reports
c. the bootleg enterprises are sensa-
tional that reading them one might
inr.r the slumbcrs of the average
citizen, even, are disturbed by the
bootleg drummer, while as matter
of fact booze is getting scarcer and
scarcer everyday.
Undoubtedly the public is getting
an exaggerated idea of the quantity
Of liquor being struggled into the
country. If they set QUITO buy any
that has any semblance to the quality
dispensed before prohibition their
idea may become somewhat debated.
Nevertheless there is altogether too
much of this lawlcssness afoot. This
Is borne cut by the report Of seizure
by the sheriff of liquor intended for
policemans banquet here IN
Maine: and Federal Grand Jury is
meeting in Boston to consider what
the press headlines describe as an
expose of great wealth manipulating
for control of the bootlegging trade.
A report in the Boston Post in
cludes the following:
"If the grand jurors arc able to fol-
low the trail sketchcd by federal de-
tectivcs who have been working for
weeks in the byways and alleys of
the whiskey- smuggling and bootleg
cling traffic. they will be led to at
least two big New England banks:
to several powerful politicians: to
business men whose names or
promissOry notes are good for nun
dreds of thousands without endorse
ment or collateral; to New Eng
land city reputcd to be second as
sporting centre only to New York;
to a Boston private club as exclusive
as war profitcer millionaire's wife,
and to public officials whose con-
venicnt complaisancc has been only
duly appreciated by the nations new
est. biggest and most profitable in
dustry."
The story-and it reads like one
tells of discoura cement among the
enforcement officials because of lack
of sympathy among those to whom
they look for aid and evidence. 1t
relates rumors of conflicts among the
booze kings to get control of the
traffic, of a battle in Vineyard Sound
between the factions. of duels be-
tween speeding autos lcoaded with
rival bootleg factions. This ought to
be encouraging to the enforcement
ofIicials--if they really are looking
for encouragement. There is some
chance for honest men when the
thieves all out. And then if
trust he. formed there will be but one
neck about which to place the rope
provided, of course. there isn't lack
of encouragement. when it comes to
applying the moose.
1t is said the stocks Of the rich
having become depleted they are
striving to replenisl them with
liquor as is liquor. But they surely
can get no assurance these days that
they are obtaining what they pay
e.. The very situation seems to de-
prive all those engaged in the illegal
traffic of all sense of decency. They
double-cross each other. Why not
the rich customer? Bootlcgging is a
synonym of dcpravity.
Is it possible to handle pitch, to
associate even in commercial way
with boc'eggers without being de-
filed? We do not think SO. Fur
thcrmore we believe this view is
gaining ground. Some will recall
that when Chesterton visited this
country he went back to England and
told of being offered liquor in every
place in America where he was en-
tertained. Do they also recall what
he termed this-not hospitality. nor
described in any way indicating
gratitude for his entertainment?
What he did term it was shameless
hypocrisy and treason to govern
ment. He surely found the right
words to describe it This view is
gradually making its way. 1t is said
that hosts who formerly included
liquor in their entertainment, liquor
which was theirs prior to prohibition
now hesitate to dispense it to
SITS. not because they haven't It
but because they are ashamed to do
1t. They are not of those counted
lost because lost to shame. May
their tribe increase: There is trea-
son enough without having the booze
brand.