Tame “Bootleggers.”

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1922, Page 4

Tame “Bootleggers.”

(By Marion By.ml. NEW YORK, March 20. Prohibition in the I'nited States has produced a new kind of profiteer beside whom the war profiteer fades into insignificance. The new profiteer is a man of infinite mystery. No one knows how much money m* makes. His dealings are all for cash. He pays no income tax and does not change his style of living in accordance with his wealth. Yon never see him ; you merely hear about him, and sometimes at theatre oi restaurant his family will be pointed out to you, wile and daughters marked by glistening jewels and strong scents.

lie is the “bootleggerg” who smuggles spirits into a prohibition country, or concocts from alcohol a kind of gin. which he puts on a secret market at \ei y high prices. lie lias a "still” or several “stills” where gin and whisky and sometimes wines come to pass.

He is fearless, unscrupulous, lawless. He destroys more people than the war profiteer ever did, but his popularity is widespread and he nourishes amazingly.

Everyone seems to have a tame ’'bootlegger” and every man is ns sensilve about recommending bis own special pel as a woman is about divulging the name of her dressmaker. The term “b.'utli'L'gei ” came originally from those dashing lads who used to cross tin* holders of prohibition States with a Mask or bottle in the legs of their big! hoots.

The “bootlegger” of to-day smuggles his spirits into a prohibition country in niimv and devious ways, but a hundred thousand bouts would not In* enough to carry it. There are “bootleggers” who glory in their trade and take many risks, considering themselves public benefactors and there an* others who conceal their real source of income under some simp! trade such as market-gardening or tailoiiag. No one betrays them, for while tin* war profiteer made enemies anxious to deliver him up to justice, the ‘‘bootlegger” lias only friends. -Ml Lis patrons are in a conspiracy to protect him. 'There is a tailor in a certain part of New York whose fame is widespread, though hushed. It is s id that he has made about £|Htl,ooo in two years, and has the money ilistiilmted ill various banks, not daring to invest any of it lest the income-tax authorities s' oiibl find him out.

Then* are women “bootleggers” also equally mysterious, equally daring.

heard recently of two who cleared several thousand dollars on a deal in whisky and liqueurs. They put up the capital, and a man acted for them getting the "stnli"’ into tlie country, where they disposed of it in their on-tor-car. Extra-ordinary comliioatiims of drink are served at smart New York dinners. 'The cocktail we have always with us. its ingredients gin and orange .juice. Gin and water fill the wine-glasses, or possibly a prohibition mint julep of gin. ginger ale, and mint, or again gin and cider mixed fearfully and wonderfully together, lint gin is everywhere in every drink. It is the “Imnlleggor’s" greatest stock-in-trade

Possibly “bootleggers” male and female—will gradually di-appoar. Perhaps New York is the only real centre of 1-heir activities. Prohibit inn advocates say so, at any rate.