Evening star., 1925-06-21

County. Through Bryantown to
Hughesville they searched unsuccess-
fully, although the pungent odor of
smoldering rubber mixed with sour
mash in the process of distillation told
them that the stills were in operation
somewhere nearby in the dense woods.
Turning sharply to the right at
Hughesville, they followed a road that
ended in seven miles on the banks of
the Patuxent at Benedict, a popular
resort patronized principally by resi-.
dents of the District-at least the
majority of automobiles there at the
time bore District identification tags.
Returning to Hughesville, the investi-
gators continued their quest along the
Leonardtown pike, going as far south
as the thriving little county seat of
st. Marys County. Retracing their
route as far as Waldorf, they turned
back into the main highway and head
ed for La Plata. From this point they
went to Morgantown, on the Potomac.
and en- route back to the city deviated
seven miles into the wooded area be-
tween the highway and the picnic
grounds at Chapel Point.
Burn Rubber as Camouflage.
Everywhere over this wide and
sparsely settled section We're mute
mosphere was charged at different
points, especially near the swamps,
with that peculiar mixture of rubber
and alcoholic fumes. Natives along
the highway were not hesitant in in
forming the investigators that the
moonshinerS burn rubber while their
stills are in operation to kill the un-
mistakable odors of alcohol. Narrow
roads, cut through dense woods that
N ha Io- - ~
swamp lands, could serve no other
purpose than to form an artery to the
liquor caches for the rum runners.
While the moonshiners keep them
selves and their unlawful activities
carefully yelled behind the heavy
wooded curtain that parallels the main
highways for many miles, their
agents, who can be found in virtually
all of the small towns, are more open
in their affairs These agents are on
the outlook constantly for prospective
rum runners. They will even accom-
modate thirsty wayfarer with small
quantities at wholesale prices.
Find Brazen Dealers.
But some of them are suspicious.
and instinct, perhaps, tells them to be
on their guard for revenue men,
Others, however, seem to have no fear
VI lHc idN VI Tue pIOGlDlIlOn ENFORCE
ment officers.
In virtually all of the little towns
passed through on the 300-mile Jour-
ney the investigators stopped and
qulzZed natives about the drought that
has hit the southern Maryland coun-
try dt hasn't rained there for a
month";. politics, prohibition and ul-
timately the chance of procuring
liquor. The natives were we'll versed
on all of these subjects. While they
indicated by loqua that the
lack of rain and the effect on crops
was the most desired topic of CONVEX
sation, they frankly admitted that
liquor could be bought in any guam.
tity desired if one knew the ropes" "
Several volunteered to procure it.
The investigators were mistaken
in several instances for revenue men.
and the natives gave them a broad
smile that bespoke ignorance to any
thing alcoholic. One boldly asked
the investigators if they were on
Grating out of the Baltimore or
Revenue Bureau. He likewise ad-
mitted as courageousIy. despite his
suspicion, that he sold liquor to per-
sons he knew, but took no chance on
a stranger.
Promises to Get Liquor.
While the investigators conversed
with this native, another, who had
been listening from behind a door of
a house near the scene, joined the
group and promised to procure the
liquor.
I'll get you all the liquor you want, u
he told the investigators. Even if you
are revenue men, I'll take a chance. u
The investigators admired his spirit of
bravado and decided to test it, They
ordered a half a gallon of rye whisky
The bootlegger disappeared behind q
silo in nearby field and returned with
a half gallon fruit jar filled with a
clear amber colored fluid.
Before l take your money I want
you to sample it," he said accomo
dattngly. II don't sell anything but
firat-class whisky"
The sample proved that the liquor