Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-12-23
WeII-DreSsed Men Hell p
Wealthy Tourists Que1Ch
Thirsts- Bribery of OftI-
Gals Is Hinted
RY BOB DORMAN

A II
ming as a rule does not attract men
of the highest type. They are more
mt to be of the rough-and-ready
sort. Not that they are not soou
fellows. for the majority are as
friendly and hail-fellow-w ell-met as
enc could wish, so long as their IN
terests are not menaced.
But. the bootleggers of Miami are
of a different type.
Miami is first of all a winter re-
SORT for wealthy visitors from less
favored climes. Everything here is
calculated to appeal to ones sense
of the beautiful.
Your Miami bootlegger is a bust
ness man, and meets you in a bust
ness-like way.
I had not been registered in my
hotel for "a hours until I had
caller. He was a prosperous looking
chap, dressed we'll but not flashily.
[ took him for a real estate man
al first glance.
He introduced himself, chatted for
a few minutes about the wonderful
weather, the change from the eX-
treme cold reported from the north,
the wonderful advantages of Miami
as a winter resort and then he got
down to business.
Quotes Prices
He s'anllly stated that he was pre-
pared to furnish whisky, liquors and
wines in any desired quantity at
prices that would bear closest COM
petition. Whisky was quoted at
from IS to Sc per quart, $40 to $50
per case. The finer grades of
liquors and brandies at similar
prices. Champagne was $40 to SIS
q quart, depending on grade and
year.
Having left me his card and tele
phone number, he departed with
many expressions of hope that we
might be able to do business during
the course of the winter.
I found that this man was repre-
sentative of his class.
Miami has practically done away
with the speak-easy. There are a
few, of course, but they are hard
to find, and the police raid them
when found.
The taxi drivers, as is the case
in most cities, are prepared to fur
Eish you with liquor But even
! they can't take you to a place where
| it is sold openly. The lid has been
put on the rough stuff in Miami
Further acquaintance with the
bootleggers developed the fact that
smuggling liquor into Miami is a
comparatively simple proposition
The shallow waters and numer.
Gus keys off the coast afford great
| opportunity for lodging the boats Of
the prohibition navy, Practically the
entire coast line Of Florida from
Key West to Palm Beach is ideal
ground for the operations of the
smugglers.
Then, here, too, through the
| thread of their tales, ran the same
story that I had heard in Nassau
| bribery of officials of the law to per
NIT the entrance of illicit liquor.
Hilariously told tales of police
stealing other policies liquor: of a
policeman getting his for overseeing
| the safe unloading of a rum cargo
! at private wharf and the indic-
nant feelings of his partner on the
| beat because of his failure to split.
| Tales of traffic police on duty call
Ing the sergeant to furnish a stran.
ger with thirst the Wherewithal to
Guench it.
AT the present time the govern
ment has in commission at Miami
SIX last motor launches. Others are
expected shortly.
The launches for the most part
remain tied up to the government
wharf during the day, going out on
patrol at night.
Each boat has q crew of three
men, and in addition to Springfield
rules machine gun mounted on
the fore deck is carried.
70 date, however, there has been
no startling amount of liquor seized
by them, especially when one takes
INTO consideration the ease with
! which liOuOr ca n hn ,nrrnhnrn1 L..