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Show - 76 - The right of seizure was recognized to be within one hour's sailing distance from the Coasts. Soon similar treaties were made with other countries to cooperate with the United States Governmentto check rum-running as it was then called. Penny continued to read on. The adoption of nationwide prohibition was followed almost at once by widespread violations of the federal laws. Soon liquor was being transported across international borders and along the coast line and for a time went on almost unmolested, but eventually liquor raids and seizures by enforcement agents became daily occurrences. This must have been when Dirk became involved in booklegging thought Penny. Liquor sold in clandestine saloons or clubs, popularly known as speakeasies, and by bootleggers came from other sources. Soon gangs were competing against each other for the high profits which the sale of illegal liquors brought. This breeded crime and it was not long before &% ultimately lead- to flourishing criminal enterprise. Gambling and political corruption increased. The magnitude of crime and racketeering during prohibition in the United States was unparalled in American history. Perhaps the gravest ill that can be wrought by prohibition, however, is the general cynicism and disrespect for law, and moral decay usually engendered, especially when adequate enforcement is costly or impossible. By the year 1933 Prohibition was finally repealed and selling liquor was no longer considered against the law. Then it must have been around the year 1920 or 21 that Dirk was involved in this very dangerous business thought Penny. She was so engrossed in her reading that the time passed swiftly. It was getting dark outside. Vicky looked up to see Tom standing at the window motioning to them. They quickly gathered up their books and ran out. |
