The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1937-07-09
BY c. S. Van Dresser

AAfHIIE incareerated in the Federal
penitentiary at Atlanta after having
been convicted of Illegally running more
than a million dollars worth of expen-
sive Swiss watch movements into the
United States. the willy brain of Paul
Rabkin. arch -smuggler conceived and
put into operation q gigantic scheme co
defraud Uncle Sam ont Of untold thou
sands of dollars OF rightful revenue.
Under the very eyes OF close prison
censorship. criminal Paul Rabkin di
rected details of the organization of an
internatiol.sl smuggling ring without
once being detected Not until after ne
had served his stretch was his clever and
audacious conspiracy definitely sus-
pected,
II sounds incredible that one man
could so hoodw.nk Federal agents while
actually in prison. but the work of astute
New York Customs Agent Van VIE and
United States Treasury Representative
Samuel Drummer stationed at Milan
Italy, uncovered the plot and laid bare
the evidence that was eventually TO re-
convict this king-pin SfauggleT Of Amer
iea Even at that the Canariian Imrni-
grafton officials and the Canadian Royal
Mounted Police had to be called in TO
assist in the capture OF the racketeer.
Paul Rabkin is now IN the Fe leral pen
itentiary at Lewisburg. Pa, and his ring
has been completely annihilated But
here's the story:
One morning IN early 1882 ace Customs
Inspector Var. VIE approached the desk
of Alvin Mex sylvester Assistant United
states Attorney in the New York City
area.
Listen Chief said the customs man.
I know this sounds screwy, but that last
big seizure OF smuggled Swiss watch
movements looks to nse like the work of
Paul Rabkin Z
Say Van Vie. returned the attorney
i've got enough troubles of my own
without you Customs Service fellows Civ
ing me more Of your far-fetcred ideas
How could Rabkin have anything TO do
with ali these slnuggfed watch move
ments that have been turning up lately?
He's in the Atlanta pen and won't be out
for month yet
Il know. Chief. but what about his son.
August? He's not in jail"
why. young Rabkin is on his honey
moon in Europe, isn't he2
Honeymoon. my eye. You can bet
your bottom dollar he's in Switzerland
buying up q load Of watch movements
10 ship TO his old man the moment he
gets out OF Atlanta.
Now let's go further back:
It all started in 1929 when Paul Rab-
kin was convicted OF smuggling expensive
Swiss watch movements into the United
States AS the duty on the more valuable
movements runs as high as si0.75 each.
the willy contraband runner had made
himself a fortune in the several years
Of his operation before his conviction. It
is not known the amount of watches he
got illegally into the United States. but
ne was convicted of smuggling million
dollars. worth. which IS probably but
traction of the amount he really handled
and sold at an enormous profit.
He had a vast organization in those
days. with agents in Switzerland ana Bel
GUM; receiving stations in America dis
glised as dealers in antiques and furni-
ture. and a complete system Of distribu-
ton in the form OF seemingly legitimate
iewelry stores and mail-order houses. In
fact. two Of his chain Of retail shops
operated out in the open and were known
as the Federal Mail Order House and
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