Evening star., 1936-02-02
By James Neviu Miller.


- Niagara Falls even dream that
within the depths of the Niagara
gorge-almost under their very
eyes-are being enacted scenes Of
pathos and drama in that peace-time
war which is ever being waged between
the smuggler and the law enforcement
officers of Uncle Sam.
Unlike most stretches of the land
borders of the United States, the
Niagara River, below the cataract, pre-
sents difficulties which, for the most
part, prevent the illegal entry of aliens
unassisted by the professional snug
gler. Its treacherous waterS-a YER
liable maelstroan of whirlpool and foam
to all but the most experienced river
men-spell certain death; and even
were one to successfully negotiate the
river, he would then find himself con-
fronted by the giant, perpendicular
walls on the American side, throughout
the length of which very few places
afford possible landing.
It takes a stout heart, indeed, to
brave the mighty Niagara River when
the water is running high, and even
the thoroughly seasoned alien run
ner" hesitates to venture a crossing
at such times If he can possibly
devise some less dangerous means OF
accomplishing his purpose.
Not many years ago the lower steel
arch bridge across the Niagara gorge
was completed. It stands approx
mately one mile below the falls. This
bridge is supported by two parallel
steel arches in a single span. The
space within each arch measures
about feet high and is Of
width ample to permit the passage
OF one man. This 'passageway" Is.
however, obstructed by the steel
fastenings at the central point where
the bridge deck rests upon the arch
for support
The early morning of February IL,
q year ago, with the thermometer
registering far below the zero mark,
the earth mantled with a two-foot
blanket of newly fallen snow, and the
river running wild, was no time to
brave the waters of the gorge. At
3 am, silhouetted against a back
ground of snow-laden foliage, creep
ing carefully along the canyons rim,
Just south of the Canadian approach
to the lower arch bridge, there ap-
peared the figures of four men; two
of them were alien runners" and
the others were mere boys from
Poland, who, having been denied legal
entry into the United States, because
Of quota restrictions, had risked
everything in the one great adven-
ture-the journey to the United
6tates-the land which they had been
told held forth wealth and happiness
tor all.
THROUGH relatives already in the
- United States. they had been
directed to these kind strangers"
who, for a prearranged sum, to be
pad only after their safe arrival
had been effected, would help them
In crossing the border without danger
Of apprehension. Once across they
would soon be forgotten by the law.
And now, after months of anticipa-
tion and dreams of happiness, they
were nearing their goal. Their supreme
momens had arrived.
Their courage, already reduced to
D low ebb by their first glance at
the yawning chasm below, now all
but failed when they found them
selves confronted with the necessity
Of descending into the unknown
depths of the black gorge by means
Of slippery ladder, placed there
by workmen in connection with the
drainage system. After much effort.
they found themselves on ledge
some so feet below and felt even
more like turning back as they were
directed to simulate toboggan and
side down steep 40-foot bank
to. the cement pier upon which the
bridge arches rest. With q sheer
drop into unknown depths on either
side of the pier, it was no inviting
undertaking. but with the assurances
Of their guides, the boys proceeded.
They found 1t simple matter to
enter the hollow of the arch. But
thelr revived nopeS were SnatCeTeo
when the obstruction In the center
Of the bridge was reached.
They were told to climb over the
Top to the outside, work their way
aiound and climb back into the arch
on the other side of the obstruction.
Ono hurried glance was enough.
Their hearts failed then. All hope
Of, reaching their journeys end dis
appeared and, aghast with fear, they
turned to retrace their steps-only
to- STAR down into the cold muzzle
of . six-shooter and beyond, into the
eteely blue eyes Of the foremost
smuggler. For the first time they
discerned the CLINT Of cruelty in the
eyes of one who posed as friend and
now they heard q snarling voice In
teYse, staccato profanity ISSUE the
command to proceed or take the all
too obvious consequences. This snug
gier wasn't going to lose = large fee
through any weak-kneed tactics on
the part Of the aliens.