Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-23
have gone to sleep while juries were
being approached" on behalf Of boot
logger defendants.
Rnoflanrars, Infnrna iinn RurAam

have gone to sleep while turies were
being approached" on behalf Of boot
logger defendants.
BcotIeggers' Information Bureau.
Competent and honest prohibition
administrators have often had 70 con-
tend with treachery within their own
organizations. I was called upon to
assist year or two ago one of the best
of the prohibition administrators. He
found that within his district there had
been organized under the glise of GER
tain real estate companies what really
amounted to "bootleggers intelligence
bureau"
At the head of this bureau was a
man who was intimately acquainted
with the heads Of 'breweries. dstilleries
and owners of alcohol permits. He
maintained offices under different names
In two States and had several telephones
with unlisted numbers. Through a sys-
tenn of espionage he kept in touch with
the movements and contemplated move
ments OF the prohibition administrator
force, and promptly passed on the in
formation to his clients who were vio-
lating the law: He not only had his
men watching or "spotting" the pro-
hibition agents and other enforcement
officers, but heevein had access to the
MES OF the ADMINISTRATOR.
He employed three former prohibition
agents on straight salary to act As
spoilers. They stationed themselves
without and about the prohibition de-
partment offices and kept check on the
coming and going Of the prohibition
agents known to them. Then they tele-
phoned the information to the main
Office of the bureau" Confidential in
formation Of contemplated raids and in.
VestigatiOpS was also procured direct
from prohibition agents and other Gov
eminent employees. who would phone the
ONCE Of the bureau as soon as they
learned of the Governments plans.
Hundred Dollar Rrihes.
The manner Of corrupting Govern
ment officials used by this LIQUOR and
bribery ring ranged all the way from
painting glowing pictures of powerful
political influence to be used in behalf
of the brides" and general friendliness
and good fellowship to outright bribery.
In some instances there were paymeRtS
OF money TO prohibition agents as high
as 500 per week. Then there were
Instances Of the sale OF radio sets and
other merchandise at half price or less
to. people on the inside" who could
give Information to the bureau" of
activities of the prohibition admintstra-
tors force
The head Of the bootleggers' bureau
maintained a charge account with q
theater ticket agency. with instructions
to the agency to issue 20 his friends"
any tickets they desired, such tickets
to be charged to his account. / secured
photostattc copies Of the original ledger
cards Of the accounts of the head of
the bureau with the theater agency,
showing the issuance of theater tickets
10 prohibition agents. On at least five
different occasions tickets were issued
To the woman secretary to two United
states commissioners. who, Of course
had fr%t-hsnd information as to the
filing of all afTidavits for search war.
rants and the preparation and issuance
of warrants. OF course. this secretary
mad every opportunity tn tip off, those
against whom the warrants were issued
Tickets were also issued on various
occasions To two deputy United States
marShalS. and on three different occa
siopS IN one of the assistant United
states attorneys In charge Of prosec,l-
ton of prohibition violators.
Trusted Employe Goes Wrong.
The same investigation disclosed that
not only did the bureau maintained bv
the bootleggers and diStillers employ
three former agents to act as spoilers
but actually employed nine OF the pro-
Inhibition agents in the administrators
own ONCE. Six of these agents were
promptly discharged: three other3 were
suspended pending further investigation.