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The Kusko Times
Takotna, Tokotna, Mcgrath, Alaska
What is this article about?
In Chicago, the illegal beer trade persists despite federal and local prohibition efforts, generating nearly $30 million annually with $10 million in yearly graft to influence officials and evade seizures.
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Chicago.—Despite the efforts of federal prohibition forces and the Chicago police force, the supply of booze, chiefly beer, has not been shut off, or even diminished. The beer industry alone in Chicago has been developed to sales of almost $30,000,000 a year.
At the time Mayor Dever attempted to clamp down the lid, Chicago breweries were putting out 18,000 barrels of real beer every week. At $30 a barrel, which was the lowest figure, that meant a business of $540,000 a month or sales at the rate of $28,000,000 a year.
On every barrel put out there was $10 graft—this sum being collected regularly at the source. This slush fund of $180,000 a week, or $10,000,000 a year, was big enough to bring in powerful politicians, police officials, all the crooked attorneys needed, and gangs of sluggers to "grease" the way.
Although policemen are stationed at every brewery, they are constantly tricked. They are permitted to seize truck loads of what appears to be beer, and while they are conducting their "catch" to the nearest station, other trucks, carrying the real stuff, slip out and distribute. Analysis of one seized beer invariably shows it is of legal content and that it was made up to be seized.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Chicago
Key Persons
Outcome
beer trade generates almost $30,000,000 a year; $10 graft per barrel, totaling $10,000,000 a year slush fund; police tricked, seized beer is legal content.
Event Details
Despite efforts of federal prohibition forces and Chicago police, supply of booze, chiefly beer, has not been shut off or diminished. Chicago breweries produce 18,000 barrels of real beer weekly at $30 per barrel, equating to $540,000 monthly or $28,000,000 annually. On each barrel, $10 graft is collected, funding politicians, police officials, attorneys, and sluggers. Policemen at breweries are tricked; they seize fake beer while real beer is distributed.