Smugglers’ Fury: Lowman Vows to Crush Rum Runners

June 20, 1929, marked a turning point in the battle against liquor smuggling along the Canadian border. Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Seymour Lowman issued a stern warning to rum runners, vowing to intensify efforts to stop the illicit trade. Speaking from Washington, D.C., Lowman declared that the government would not back down in its campaign against smuggling.

A recent incident in Detroit, where rum runners fired on U.S. customs men, only reinforced Lowman’s resolve. ‘That shows the desperate character of the men we are fighting,’ he said, emphasizing the need to arm Federal agents in order to combat the growing menace.

The Customs Service in the Detroit district has completed its reorganization, and Lowman promised that it would proceed with ‘fullest energy’ against smugglers. However, the government’s efforts to combat liquor smuggling have been hindered by the failure of Congress to appoint a joint committee to cooperate with President Hoover’s Law Enforcement Commission.

President Hoover had requested the committee to facilitate recommendations for reorganizing prohibition enforcement agencies, but Congress had yet to act. This lack of cooperation has led to frustration within the government, with some officials expressing concern that the failure to reorganize enforcement agencies would hinder their ability to effectively combat smuggling.

Lowman’s words were a stark reminder that the battle against liquor smuggling is far from over. With rum runners resorting to desperate measures, such as firing on U.S. customs men, it’s clear that the stakes are high. As the government presses on with its campaign, one thing is certain: the stakes will only continue to rise.

In the midst of this high-stakes battle, one question remains unanswered: will the government’s efforts be enough to bring an end to the scourge of liquor smuggling? Only time will tell.