Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-12-14
SECTAR|AN SCHOOL
AID NOT FAVORED
BY Maine GRANGE
H|-JACKERS ARE
TERROR OF LIQUOR
RUNNERS over LINE

Malone, New York, Dec. 13-(By
A. P)-The busy Canadian bootleg
market was thrown into confusion
today at news of renewed activities
of hi-jackers waylaying cargoes of
Christmas liquor bound south, the
evident tightening of the lines of
prohibition agents near the border
line and the presence of the great
rum fleet off the Jersey coast. Con-
sequently there was a reluctant tenn
porary stoppage of the steady flow
of contraband along the alcohol
trails.
If there is anyone the average
northern bootlegger fears more than
a state trooper or federal agent, it is
the hi-jacker. made desperate by the
loss of his livelihood as a Legitimate"
rumtrunner. These hi-jackers being
familiar with the ways of bootleggers,
skulk along the trails and enforce
their demands at the pistol point.
The authorities have received within
the past 48 hours, confidential re-
ports OF number of successful hold
ups by hi-jackers in which gunplav
inquired. In some of these highway
robberies, the hi-jackers, were re-
ported to be Indians.
Apprehension was caused in boot
Logging headquarters, according to
reports received here, by the fact
that the enforcement agents have
increased their forces and are main
tanning stricter watch than usual
along the principal routes through
the Malone and Rouses Point dis
trlcts. The liquor having been con-
tracted for in the big cities down
state must be delivered before the
holidays or the contracts may be
cancelled.
If the rum fleet off the JERSEY
coast can land a fair proportion of
its cargo. Canadian prices will tum-
pie ana the bootleggers stand to face
heavy financial loss. The author
tiles here are going on the assnmn-
tlon that supreme efforts will he
MADE In the next few days to de-
liver the cargoes.
Many of the trucks have been
loaded with real Canadian ale and
peer Tor which there is a heavy de-
mand. AS the rum fleet is mostly
loaded with liquors and wines. the
Dominion bootleggers have almost no
competition in beer, and so thew make
their own prices.
n report of seizures given to The
associated Press and made public for
the first time today strikingly illus
trates the growing activities of the
dry forces.
The seizure and value of uouor
confiscated for 1923 follows:
January two autos, $4,000.
FEBRUARY one auto. $4,000.
March two SleiShS, four horses.
$4O0. W.
April TO II autos $1,000.
May six autos, $4,000.
June seventeen autos, $4,000
July one auto, 1910.
August fourteen autos, $4,000.
September eight autos, $4,000.
October twenty eight autos. $4,000.
November thirty one auto $4,000.
December to date fifteen autos,
value not estimated.
At the present rate OF seizures De-
cember will be banner month.
In 19c- only Al autos. two horses
and one wagon We're seized and ST.
900 worth of contraband liquor con-
fiscated. The authorities estimated
that several hundred persons are
now engaged in smuggling liquor
through the northeastern frontiers
These bootleggers have been catal-
OSueu an 1 tnelf descriptions given
to the agents along the line.
The bootleggers who frankly adj
nit that they find the Goirg hard
these days have vainly tried to bribe
enforcement officers. Ono bootlegger
offered $4,000. to an agent if he
could find it convenient to be on
duty elsewhere for few hours day
for several DAYS. The offer was
spurned and the bootlegger was
caught by the agent a few days later
with q truckIOad of liquor.