TilK SiORNlMi OREGO.MAN, WEDNESDAY. MAY 24, 1923
BOOTLEGGERS GET
mm.
Authorities Hunt Robbers of
Puget Sound Rum-Runners.
CONVENTION FIXES PRICE
law Declared to Have Recognized
Property Rights in Liquor
Possessed Illegally. '
This is the first of a series of three ar
ticles dealing: with some recently developed
phases of the liquor-running and retail
bootlegging- Industry on Puget sound. In
this region, by reason of its proximity to
the "wet" province of British Columbia,
there are unusual opportunities for ob
servation. The other articles will follow.
PUGET SOUND BUREAU, Seattle,
Hay 23. Jokes about Mr. Volstead
and his act are beginning to limp;
they are not so funny as they used to
seem to be. There was a time, under
the dry law, when every whimsical
reference to liquor was good for a
laugh. Even in regions arid of their
own choice before national prohibi
tion, such as the states of Oregon
and Washington, some humor could
be extracted from variations on the
general theme of "How dry I am"
and more or less fanciful tales about
how to get it or make it.
Th element of surprise or novelty
constitutes about 95 per cent of the
gross content of humor. The novelty
of existence under statutory prohi
bition is now pretty well worn oft
There is nothing screamingly funny
about a bootlegger in these days, be
cause bootleggers have become too
common. Everybody has one, or can
have one. No great hilarity can be
provoked in discussion of home brew
ing, since the experiences of each
home brewer match those of count
less others who continuously have
a brew in readiness for or already in
the bottles. And when a thing is too
common or too stale to joke about it
is losing much of its usefulness as a
topic for more serious conversation
Liquor Supply Close.
Seattle, Tacoma, all the cities,
towns and hamlets of Puget sound,
have enjoyed a rare privilege in this
matter of prohibition and still enjoy
It, whether viewed from the angle of
the strict prohibitionist or that of the
man who feels that he must have his
stimulating tipple. This is the privi
lege, shown on every authentic map,
of closest possible proximity to a
major source of illicit booze supply.
It is here, on Puget sound, that the
strict prohibitionist, filled with faith
in the law, finds his finest oppor
tunity for close range observation of
the actual processes of attempted en
forcement. And it is here, In what
Dr. Woods Hutchinson calls "this fa
vored clime," that the man who wants
a drink and has the price to pay for
It can get it easily, at any time of
the day or night, and in practically
unlimited quantity.
Retail Cost Reduced.
Another advantage accrues to this
region by reason of its closeness- to
the Canadian boundary line and here
is an argument that might be made
of use by advocates of lower rates
for shorter hauls everywhere. Con
traband liquors can be and-is laid
down in Puget sound cities at less
cost in the operation of smuggling
and less risk of loss to the runners
than would be incurred in effort to
carry it farther to the south and
southeast. Consequently the retail
price, which means by the short quart
bottle, is less in these citiea This in
turn means heavier sales; so that the
bootlegging business finds basis in
the sound merchandising principle of
getting greater profits by increase of
gross receipts. "
Much of this ground has been cov
ered before in news stories and edi
torial discussions.. Such brief re
statement as has been made seems de
sirable as preliminary to consideration
of some new phases of the situation.
The fact is that liquor-running and
bootlegging seem to be making some
headway toward recognition as "reg
ular" occupations; and not only as
regular, but as possessed of legal
rights and entitled to a degree of
official sanction and protection.
Law Protects Bootleggers.
When a bootlegger can procure the
arrest of another man on the charge
of stealing some of his contraband
liquor, he is accorded the same right
that would be granted any honest
citizen who had been robbed of his
lawful property. According to charges
made in court actions and undisputed
newspaper accounts, this sort of
thing has occurred in certain Puget
sound cities. Several complaints have
lately been made to prosecuting at
torneys and the police by bootleggers
who said they were robbed by other,
end presumably lesser, bootleggers.
In these cases there appears to have
been no hesitancy about admitting
the possession of contraband liquor
and claiming its ownership. No ac
tion was taken on this score; but jus
tice has willingly reached out after the
secondary offense, determined to pun
lsh them, not for bootlegging in the
second or third degree, but for rob
friery or for burglary, if the frst
fe-vPSsV
Sense in buying
assures dollars
in saving
If you would cut your clothes
, bill bear in mind that quality
alone means dollars' saved.
Moreover, an uncompromis
ing guarantee goes with every
sale in my store, regardless of
the amo.unt of purchase ; no
sale is complete until you have
received maximum service
and satisfaction.
SUITS for MEN
35 $40 '45 '50
BEN SELLING
Morris o n
at Fourth
Portland's Leading Clothier for Over Half a Century
bootlegger's premises had been in
vaded to get the liquor.
This shows' how far some bootleg
gers have traveled along the road
toward regularity and the establish
ment of legitimate business privi
leges and rights. When a bootlegger
can get a warrant for the arrest of
one who has robbed him of his liquor,
there certainly should be some legal
recourse for the hitherto chagrined,
shamed and disappointed citizen who
has paid bootleg prices for a case of
cold tea or colored, water.
Outlaws Feel Secure.
All men are presumed to be equal
before the law. The private tippler
who has been bilked by a bootlegger
has so far kept discreet silence for
fear of getting himself into trouble.
The bootlegger who has been robbed
by another seems to be untroubled
by any such fear. He goes to the
authorities and demands that justice
be done, seemingly secure in the
righteousness of his own position in
the matter.
How much of this feeling of secur
ity may be due to the general stabil
ization and extension of the bootleg
ging business on - Puget sound, it
would be difficult to say. Probably
it is an outgrowth of the bootleggers'
convention in Seattle a few months
ago. At that time, in the course of
a three-day session in downtown
hotels, a schedule of case-lot and
single-bottle prices was agreed upon,
proportioned to the cost of various
brands of whisky on the Canadian
side, plus transportation costs and a
fair allowance for the risks. Retail
trade areas were also blocked out; a
general arrangement perfected to
prevent too sharp competition, and a
standard of probity and efficiency
fixed for the retail canvasser among
the bottle customers.
Runners Robbed Frequently.
Before that convention was held
competition had been running riot.
It extended to the frequent "knocking
over" of a liquor-runner on his way
across with a full load, by motor car
or power boat. Many hundreds of
cases of liquor forcibly changed hands
by this knocking-over process. The
runner with the load would be held
up, sometimes by men representing
themselves as officers of the law, but
just as often by plain-speaking and
straight-shooting highwaymen. In
either case he would have to give up,
and either go back for more or go out
of business if the experience was
costly enough to break him. ' ( .
The bootleggers' convention must
have adopted a code of professional
ethics covering this contingency.
There has been a noticeaable decline
in knocking over. Occasionally real
officers of the law insist on butting
in; but not often enough, or at any
rate not with enough success to af
fect materially the constantly avail
able supply this side of the line.
Farther Steps Taken.
The next step, bold as it may seem
to the ordinary citizen, bootleg patron
or not. Is right in line. Having by
convention agreement minimized the
chances of knocking over among the
accredited members of their own asso
ciation, the bootleggers now go
straight to the halls of justive when
any scoundrelly outsider tries to get
away with their stuff. Peace officers
of several Puget sound counties have
lately been notified of such crimes
that Is, of robberies and have been
set on' the alert to capture the miscreants.
BOY SHOT ACCIDENTALLY
Hugh Wildgrnbe, 8, Hit by Bird
shot While in Woods.
KAXAMA, Wash., May 23. (Spe
cial.) Hugh Wildgrube, 8, livnig with
his parents south of town, was shot
accidentally by some unidentified per
son in the woods when he went after
the cows Saturday. The charge, pre
sumably, came from a shotgun, sev
eral of the shot lodging in the face
and neck and in one hand.
The child was taken to Dr. Roach,
who dressed the wounds. No trace of
the one who did the shooting has been
found.
Now Playing to the Happiest, Most
Satisfied Crowds in the His
tory of the Liberty
COWLITZ INDIANS MEET
Tribal Association Holds Annual
Election of Officers.
CHEHALIS, Wash.. Mav 23. (Soe-
cial.) The association of the Cowlitz
tribe of Indians held their regular
annual meeting in Chehalis yesterday, j
The old officers were re-elected and
routine business transacted. In 1909
the Cowlitz Indians got together at a
big meeting held at Chehalis and or
ganized the association.
These Indians have a claim against
the United States government that is
being pressed by a Washington attor
ney. It is their contention that their
land was taken from them without
the formality of a treaty, although a
treaty was promised them, and that
they are the only tribe of Indians
with which the United States govern- j
ment has never made a settlement of
some kind. They now demand a set
tlement on the basis of $6000 for each
man. woman and child, of whom there
are about 350 living.
Cenlralla to Observe Memorial Day.
CEXTRALIA, Wash- May 23. (Spe
cial.) Centralla will observe Me
morial day by decoration of veterans'
graves, a luncheon for veterans of all
wars, a parade and exercises in Main
street park. Herman Allen of Che
halis will deliver the address. An
'other feature win be unveiling a
marble bench placed in the park as
a memorial to George Washington,
the city's founder, who donated the
park site.
Phone your want ads to The Ore
gonian. Main 7070. Automatic E60-95.
Orpheum matinee today, 15-25-50 Ad.
Elusive, tender, dynamic, overwhelm
ing, her drama knows no bounds but
those of the human heartstrings.
One artiste only could bring "Smilin'
Through" majestically to the screen.
You'll love her in it.
M
SATURDAY JACKIE COOGAN
"Humoresque" was great and now sat
isfied, patrons tell us that "The Good
Provider" is even greater! There's a
smile, a tear and genuine picture satis
faction awaiting you at the "HOUSE
OF ALWAYS-GOOD PICTURES."
The comedy, "COLD FEET," is the sea
son's best.
KNOWLES' PICTURE PLAYERS
Furs and Individual Style Shops
Broadway at Morrison
JUNE SALE
of
HAND-SEWN LINGERIE
600 garments all new hand-sewn and
hand-embroidered. Chosen with pains
taking care conforming to our exacting
standards of quality plus value!
The response to our Monday Suit Sale
was overwhelming! On its heels comes
this sale of fresh new lingerie no less
astonishing from the standpoint of
value at prices which make ayears
supply a very wise investment!
iff
A choice of
16 exquisite styles
in fine batiste and longcloth
"Nightgowns
195
4.75
2.95
5.75
3.75
7.25
Each tiny seam is sewn by hand and there are
many fine, handrun tucks. Every garment has
been carefully laundered so that it comes to
you fresh and snowy! And every pattern was
chosen individually, for its delicacy and the
perfection of its detail. You will find no more
charming patterns in the most expensive French
garment !
Faithful copies
of French patterns
in batiste and nainsook
Chemises
1-95 2.95 4.75
Tub blouses, lingerie i frocks and sportswear
bring home the necessity for these delicate
chemises and you may choose from envelope
or straight styles at these three unusual prices!
Every woman knows their practical worth
how easily they launder but you must see
them to realize their unusual perfection and
delicacy !
Super-values in Liebes quality GLOVES
Fabric slipon gloves, in all
desired shades at 75
12-button fabric gloves, pon
gee colored or gray ,: .85
Capeskin gloves, tan and
gray shades unusual at. .1.00
12-button imported white .
kid gloves, very special. . . .2.85
ESTABLISHED 1864
White kid slipon gloves,
with turnback cuff at.... 2.95
Many other splendid bar
gains in gloves !
NOW PLAYING
ANITA
STEWART
IN
'The Woman
He Married9
The Crowning Triumph of
Anita Stewart's Career."
Coming Saturday
THOMAS
MEIGHAN
la His Newest Paramount
Production.
'The
Bachelor
Daddy'
Phone Your Want Ads to
THE OREGONIAN
Main 7070 Automatic 560-95
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