U.S. CRIME DRIVE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1934, Page 8

U.S. CRIME DRIVE

FLAXES AND MOTOR-CAFS. WASHINGTON, June 9. Fast armoured oars, aeroplanes, machine guns, and special rifles arc' to be turnerl loose in a great drive against' the underworld if plans of thc,;Departpnclnt of Justice are 1 approved. The Attorney-General (Mr R. S'. Cummings) made this ahhouinceme.it' to-day, together with the statement that .he is seeking funds with which to add 27C men to his forces. Conferring with the Director of the Budget, Mr Cummings sought the necessary funds to buy the motor-cars and equip them with two-way radio sets and machine guns. The War Deportment has already agreed to furnish the (aeroplanes. Of the 270 new men, Mr Cummihg"' said he wanted to use 200 as additional id gents for the division of investigation and 70 accountants, mainly for trie examination of banks where clues to law violators might be unearthed. “The motor-car equipment of til? division of 'investigation is pitiful,” the AVttomey-GeiibVal declared. “Had tlie department been equipped with aeroplanes or fast automobiles, Dillingpr would have been captured in Northern Wisconsin. ’’ “Peo'ple arc making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to fou'cticfi effectively. When lawyers, doctors, end political bosses co-operate with 'criminals it is easy to realise tlie seriousness of the problem and why public support is necessary to . make tlie work of the law enforcement ageccie.- a success.” . The (request for new appropriations result frbrh the submission of formal figures. Captain William R, Sayles, United' .States .Navy, hn s been selected to head the hurt for bootleggers and illicit distillers who have survived repeal. He will have 1850 enforcementagents undefr him. . Arrangements are being made for the organisation of .an effective Coast Guard Air Service. There are 14 aeropinner in the service, engaged in lifesaving work and in the suppression of i smuggling. In addition, 14 land ae.roi planes of the customs service and six.' i‘U'avy land aeroplanes will be taken ovtr. Tenders will be called soon for 27’ new seaplanes. Treasury officials said that “rum tow” had dwindled in the last, few months, although there was a slight but unexplained increase during the week ended April 27. At that time there wore nine lieu or runners oW the Atlantic eos s t, three off the Gulf coast, and one off the Pacific 1 r'oa'st. Treasury secures of illicit alcoholic products and bootleggers’ equipment for the four months ended March 31 were, given as follows : Seizures. 1934 "'1933. Number ... 2.342 4,769 j Gallons of liquor ... 21.831 72.861 Gallons of beer ... 274 13.674 | Alcohol, gallons ... 19,558 152,461 | Boats ••• 155 j Motor-cars ... 135 259 |