AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3714, 19 May 1925, Page 23

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

BABY FARMING. NEW IURK, May 10. The twenty-third inmate of the baby farm conducted by Mrs Helen Geisenvolk, a former German-'Red Cross nurse, and the widow of a Prussian army officer, died from malnutrition on Friday. The women is held on a charge of giving a strange child to a father who called for his own child on Tuesday. The latter is still missing, while half a dozen children remain in hospital not identified. FIGHT AGAINST THE RUM FLEET. VANCOUVER, May 12. Messages from San Diego state that tht Californian coastguard forces there admit that they are badly hampered in their efforts to frustrate the effoits of the large ships (four of which are carrying British flags and one the Belgian Hug); which are now cruising off the Southern Californian coast, their decks pile-d with liquor. The ships and the small boats which go out for the cargoes are all speedier than the Government craft. The cutter Tamaroa, which is now in port at San Diego, found the fleet on May 5 and gave chase to one of five vessels, which scattered in different directions. The Tamaroa was unable to overtake her fleeter quarry, and was forced to return to San Diego for provisions and fuel. The officers of the Tamaroa state that the rum fleet is receiving able assistance from confederates ashore. The Belgian ship Gertrude was the first of the disintegrating Atlantic coast fleet to appear in Pacific waters, according to the Tamaroa’s officers. BOOTLEGGERS’ OPERATIONS. WASHINGTON, May 12. In his annual report to the Department of Commerce, the Secretary (Mr H. C. Hoover) estimates 40,000.000d0l as the cost of bootlegged foreign liquor, last year. This is 6aid to be a low estimate. SURPLUS SHIPS. NEW YORK, May 13 It is announced that Mr Henry Ford is prepared to buy 400 United States SI lipping Board vessels providing the price is reasonable. Mr V. O’Connor (chairman of the board) states that the price will not stand in the way so as the boats are going into American hands and will fly tlio American flag. * It is understood that if Mr Ford secures the vessels lie will select from 30 to 50 of the most suitable for trading purposes and scrap the remainder. DISPERSING THE LIQUOR SHIPS. NEW YORK, May 14, Twelve of the 16 vessels, in Rujn Row have put to sea towards Halifax. The officers of a patrol boat which arrived at Staten Island havo reported that two steamships and two schooners are the only liquor ships left. KENTUCKY DERBY. NEW YORK, May 16At Louisville Flying Flbony, ridden by Earl Sands, won the 50.000 dollar Kentucky Derby. Captain Hall was second, Son of John Third. Seventy-five thousand people witnessed the race. The favourites were outclassed.