New York, July 15.—AP—How a coastguard crew turned their government boat into a rum runner in order to “pick up some Christmas money” was told in court today.
Paul Louis Crim, one of the 16 men indicted with William Y. Dwyer in connection with the inactivities of a $40,000,000 liquor ring, suddenly appeared as a government witness in the trial of Dwyer and nine others.
Trial of Crim had been severed because the district attorney told the court when the case was called, Crim was a fugitive and had not yet been arrested. The district attorney explained today that Crim had unexpectedly given himself up and had immediately been called to testify against his alleged former conspirators.
Under examination Crim stated that he had been a member of the crew of the coastguard cutter CG-203, of which Captain Edward Gallagher, another defendant, was in command. He testified that money was received front Dwyer for having the cutter watch some of his boats but that later he was told there would be more money in it if the coastguard men would consent to running some of the liquor themselves instead of merely guarding it.
Crim said that after getting Captain Gallagher’s consent he put the proposition before the crew and all agreed. It was just before Christmas, 1925, Crim said, and “Christmas money” was desired. The first trip of the CG-203 as a rum runner, he said, was to the Ellis B. lying in Rum Row 35 miles off Ambrose Light. He said 700 cases of liquor were transported to a Christopher Street dock. Crim testified that $700 was paid for the job.
The next trip of the CG-203 was on New Year’s eve. Another cargo of liquor was brought front Rum Row to New York. Shortly after this Crim was discharged from the coast guard service. He then asked Dwyer to give him a job. Dwyer put him to work unloading liquor at a dock, Crim testified.
Daily Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME, July 16, 1926
