GETTING INTO AMERICA

Evening Post, Volume 65, Issue 65, 17 March 1924, Page 7

GETTING INTO AMERICA

FOREIGN CREWS AS AGENTS

EVIDENCE IN'ORDUNA CASE.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) I NEW YORK, 16th March. ! The testimony of the crew of the Orduna in the Hljel action revealed astonishingly widespread smuggling practices. While admitting that x they brought liquor and morphine aboard and Smuggled them into the United States ports, they further declared that the ere\vs of all foreign vessels, notably those operated by Uie lesser lines, had beon doing likewise. The Ordumi's storekeeper told in detail how during the past three years he and others of the crew had been smuggling drugs and liquor, aboard, how the drugs were sold to expectant illicit dealers, and how the bar was kept open and liquors sold while the ship was 'in port. • The Court will probably release the Orduna's owners from liability because the cre\v declared that in bringing liquors and' drugs aboard they acted secretly and independently. The Court is, therefore, expected to strike out all but the Customs violation charge, and, if the smuggling is proved, to levy a fine upon the Royal mail and shipmasters, but the chances of the vessel being confiscated are regarded as remote. The Federal officials show- increasing concern over the revelations of the drug and liquor smuggling as a general nautical avocation, but frankly admit the lack ot a practical check upon them, especially as\they cannot expect to be consulted in the selection of upright crews. Hence the Orduna case is assuming the proportions of the largest issue arising out of Prohibition.