Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-16

New York, May 15-(By A. P.)-
tempt to break up a countrywide
ring of bootlcgScrs, with headQuar-
ters in this city, which is charged
with operating the maritime liquor
mart off New jerseys three mile
limit.
Assistant United States Attorney
Herman l.. Falk made this an
nouncement late today after quiz
zing the captain and crew of the
British steamer Iankton, which put
into port yesterday With empty lar
der and bunkers. after the super
cargo had left the ship off Muntauk
Point several weeks ago.
Mr.. Falk said the government to-
morrow would file a complaint in
federal district court against six men
believed to be the brains of the ring.
which is credited with having flood
cd the Atlantic seaboard with
smuggled liquor in the last six
months. Mr.. Falll estimated that
the ring had landed at least 10000
cases from Scotland and the Ba-
hamas from IL. fleet, operating
from Miami to BoSton.
The charges against the seXtet
will be conspiracy to violate the
NolStcad act and to attempt to de-
fraud the government out Of GUS
toms duties.
The names were not made pub
lie, but the suspects. Mr.. Falk said.
now are located in New Iork, BOs-
ton and Philadelphia.
Mr.. I'alk added that the govern
mcnt. in it's massed attack on the
rum fleet, which has filled the three
mile limit with coast guard cutters
cutting off fuel aud food supplies
from short, drew from six collection
districts to seize ~ craft which the
ring was believed to have communi-
Gated with shore.
Included in the craft to be seized
were said to be tugs, u submarine
chaser and high-powered launches
Two of the tugs have been identified
Us those which 4 few weeks ago
Went to the Yankton loaded with
armed men, and took Off what was
left of the rum-runner's cargo OF
5000 cases OF alcohol which she
loaded at Havana.
The submarine chaser has beer
used principally off the New Eng
land coast. it was said.
The nineteen men of tho Gank-
tons crew were said to have given
federal officials a mass of valuable
information, particularly concerning
the principals and gents of the rum
runners. and also of the men who
at various times visited the Gank-
ton during her cruise along the
coast.
Some of the bootleg suspects have
already figured in tits with the fed
eral officials but have escaped pun
ishmcnt. one. if not more. figured
in the proceedings which followed
the seizure of the schooner Mar
shall, the first rum runner to fall
into Uncle Sans clutches almos:
Immediately after the Nolstead act
became effective.
Major John Holcy Clark. chief
assistant L. S. Attorney. said to-
night that the evidence obtained
from the Yankton crew aassurcd
the government of q powerful lead
in smashing the bootlcGGers' ring.
Mr.. Clark smiled and shook his
head negatively when asked if any
Of the names to be given out tomor-
row would have a tendency to
Shake socicty's pillars"
Il would hardly put them in the
Nontagnc class" he said. but they
are powerful enough to make us feel
confident that we are about to upset
one OF the greatest bootlcgging rings
III the country. with ramifications
extending from NIiamo to Boston"
No decision has been reached Yet
REGARDING disposition OF the Iank-
ton