“U.S.A. Lawlessness” in Western Mail (October 16th, 1923)

Today’s group of articles features another international perspective on the Detroit River, this time hailing all the way from Wales. The writer offers a scolding account of the illicit liquor trade across the river, somewhat surprisingly comparing rum runners with Reds and Communists. According to this account of the role of Ecorse in the trade, three fourths of the illegal liquor smuggled into the US during Prohibition came across the Detroit River.

Transcript:

“COMMUNISTS AND RUM RUNNERS ALIKE.”

WASHINGTON, Monday.

Wealthy Americans who were interested in the rum running business and were busy violating the Prohibition Act were on a par with the Communists and “Reds.” They were both travelling on the same road of lawlessness and they were sowing the seeds for a movement which would undermine the whole fabric of law and order said Senator Borah, addressing the Citizenship Conference to-day. – Central News.

LIQUOR SMUGGLERS DROWNED.

DETROIT, Monday.

Six Armenian subjects engaged in the rum running business were run down by a steamer when trying to get liquor ashore in a little boat. The men were thrown out and drowned. – Central News.

Note. – Another Detroit message states that an Armenian and five children were drowned in the Detroit River by being run down by a steamer, but no suggestion was made of liquor smuggling.

Original Article:

Citation:

“U.S.A. Lawlessness – ‘Communists and Rum Runners Alike.’” Western Mail [Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales], 16 Oct. 1923, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/814939784/. Accessed 10 June 2024.