RUM-ROW MAKES MILLIONS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17436, 7 April 1931, Page 10

RUM-ROW MAKES MILLIONS

COUNTERFEIT WHISKY MADE BY CANADIAN SYNDICATE SHIPS UNDER RADIO DIRECTION NEW YORK, Feb. 11. "Rum Row," upon which Americans iclv for "imported" liquor, represents a vast, industry and a working capital of at least eiO.OOO.OCO. This sum. according to the latest inquiry of the American Customs Depart mi-ii'l. represents the cost of the equipment and working of the rum syndicate, the members of which have grown enormously rhh. .For the first time it is known doUnitoly that all "imported stuff" handled by the syndicate—and one can buy from no other source in the United States t\\i.:epl at great risk -is made in Canada, in distilleries owned and operated by the syndicate. Best-known British brands arc ruthlessly counterfeited, and llicre is no difference whatever between the whisky labels on the bottles sold here and thoso in Loudon. SUPPLY AKRANGKMENTS Americans to-day are shocked by the revelation that imported v hisky is nitictetiflis counterfeit. i From the distillery in Canada the liquor is shipped lo the Erench-conlroll-ied port of St. I'ierre, Newfoundland. where n is cleared by French otlbials. Supply ships sail regularh from SI. I'ierre for a rende/.vous monj than 100 inifes from New York. They are three masted schooners of auxiliary power, with a minimum cargo of ZO.CCO cases." Then there is a. Heel of at least, 100 "oil screws," low. rakish craft, BOl'l long, powered with the best Diesel' motors, which form the link of transport between the supply ships and another Heel of speed boats for transport to the American shore. The oil screws, each manned by a crew of six able seaman, carry a cargo averaging 2000 eases. The demand for these screw boats is greater than the existing supply. All this floating equipment is controlled by radio, and is managed by a man well-known in Now York for bis great efficiency in organising and operating 'big business.