The Trade of Alcohol in Atlantic City during the Prohibition - Research Paper Example

The Trade of Alcohol in Atlantic during the Prohibition Introduction Illegal brewing and distribution of illicit liquor characterized several American cities and became popularly known as bootlegging. The term was derived from a smuggling tendency where whisky was hidden by illegal traders in their boot tops1. Bootlegging stood out among other social ills that the American cities, for instance Atlantic City struggled with in the 1800s. Gambling and prostitution are the other vices that the cities were struggling with. Atlantic City has a strategic place in the history of the state of New Jersey, in many aspects of socioeconomic history. Located on Absecon Island, the city is perhaps the best illustration of the American cities’ interaction with social challenges, amid a myriad of internal and external factors. This study attempts to analyze the challenge that illegal alcohol trade presented to the Atlantic City populace. Background Information Since the month of July in 1854, the island city (Atlantic City) was linked to another major city, Camden paving way for a series of successful inland trips. Coupled with the sea transport vicinity benefits, the City was opened up for trade than envisioned or expected before. Infrastructure was fast to develop and investments opportunities were opened to offer important amenity services. Within a short duration of time from the late 1800s up until the mid 1900s, a booming vacation resort centre was in the offing by Atlantic City. Major clubs in the New Jersey history came up at such a swift pace that all of America wanted to visit it.2 No sooner had the City established itself with a big population, mostly in search entertainment, than it turned into a crime center characterized by the vices mentioned above among others. The period of time following the occupation of the city by fun lovers and the subsequent thrive in crime are often termed as “the lawless years.”3 Thesis Statements Both geographical location and inhabitants’ stubborn lifestyle are the main factors that facilitated the boom of alcohol trade in Atlantic City during the Prohibition period. Atlantic City Culture before and During the Prohibition In 1973, Jeremiah Leeds led the Americans in making permanent settlements on the Island hosting the Atlantic City, the Absecon Island. About half of a century later, so much had happened and there was a fully fledged city with a mayor. Several developments touching on the cultural aspects of the population gathering in the Island were generally characterized by a lifestyle oriented towards adventure and entertainment. Although the initial developers of the Atlantic City had a different vision for the city, the confusion of a metropolitan society must have driven the vision adrift. It is therefore from the entertainment perspective that the City attracted alcohol traders and users early in its establishment. Alcohol manufacture and distribution became a lifestyle for the majority of the city dwellers whereas immigrants came in to look for alcohol. Wealthy individuals were among the first to get settled in the Atlantic City and it is from this time that the fortunes of the city changed for the rest of its existence. Establishment of good services to take care of the wealthy class could have propelled the prospects of influx of people and the subsequent settlement in search of better services, among them entertainment. Among the pioneers of the city’s tremendous service infrastructure is Doctor Jonathan Pitney. Doctor Pitney contributed in the development of the city with a vision of making it a health resort. Tourism and entertainment resort was a diversion from the initial design that the initial developers had in mind; a health resort. Linking the city with Philadelphia via a railway was the beginning of the developments towards the diversion of the city’s foundation. Arrival of both wealthy and less wealthy from New Jersey and Philadelphia resulted in the creation of a society with a mixture of economic classes. Development goal must have been lost along the way with the arrival of the other groups from the inland. Cultural differences resulted from the inflow of inhabitants from all directions, which partly contributed to the adoption of a more neutral culture with an entertainment mindset. Predominantly, the Atlantic City dwellers had inhabited the massive entertainment endowed city with the sole aim of holidaying. It was deep in the cultural practices that the population was used to the booming mixture of fun oriented trades whereby most of them turned out to be illegal. A stubborn culture was born and eventually established by the City dwellers such that any attempts to introduce changes were almost unwelcome. This facilitated the bootlegging tradition in the city. One example of such changes introduced into the society was the deliberate banning of illegal manufacturing or distribution of alcohol. To enact this, the Bureau of Prohibition was constituted by the government in the year 19274. Thorough operations were to be embarked by the federal government to wipe out the activities of the illegal alcohol traders. To illustrate the stubborn nature of the people of the Atlantic City, formation of The Mafia criminal cartel dealing in the bootlegging networks can be used. In the heat of operations to eliminate the distribution of the illegal trade, the Mafia was formed as a rebel organization with an interest in salvaging the opportunity of exercising the profitable but illegal trade. Were it not for a stubborn community, the cultural establishment of the city could have cooperated with the authorities in ensuring that the prohibition regulations were expedited. Very strong mafia leaders indefatigably came out to oppose the enforcement of the prohibition controls. Hotels in the Atlantic City became popular for hosting some of the greatest protestation conventions launched by bootlegging networks across America. The environment in the society enabled such activism to take place in the precincts of the Atlantic City. Apparently, before the Prohibition Era, the City of Atlantic was a metropolitan society with majority of the dwellers having settled there for purposes of entertainment services. Therefore, a look at the culture of Atlantic City pre-prohibition period (1890-1920) and how this affected their perception of alcohol during the prohibition shows connectivity to propensity to manufacture, deal in and consume it. Prohibition could not have been so dramatic in the Atlantic City, were it not for the conducive environment that the fun loving metropolitan cultural setting of the city. It is reported that instead of cooperation between the police and the civilians in the fight against illegal trading in alcohol, the exact opposite took place with both parties conspiring against the regulations of the government. Some sections of the society protested the illegal consumption and cooperation between the police and the bootleggers without success. Women for instance protested their husbands’ behavior and reported to the police who did little to change the direction of the drinking culture in the society5. Unique Nature of Atlantic City When compared with the rest of the cities along the eastern coastal strip, Atlantic City had a rare and unique environment for the illicit trade in alcohol to thrive in. From its topology to the cultural openness to other American popular cultures, Atlantic City stood as the affordable and preferred destination for the wealthy class6. Bootlegging therefore found a fertile ground in the city by virtue of its culture openness. Topologically, the city was located in relatively safe waters and it eventually grew as a lighthouse where sailors could anchor, which was preferred by many instead of accessing the dangerous Absecon inlet7. Weather factors favored the thriving business of illegal trade in alcohol in such a manner that the other cities could not match the competitiveness of the Atlantic City. It had a better chance to attract leisure market to itself than any other city due to a good weather and beaches. Visitors in search of a relaxing environment could have chosen Atlantic City over the rest. A combination of other complementary illegal activities that supported the vice of illegal manufacture, distribution and consumption of alcohol was well grounded in the city than the rest of its counterparts. Like it was reported earlier on, the city became popularly known for its prostitution and gambling which appear to sail in the same boat as the illegal alcohol business. Atlantic City was linked to a better transport network than many of the other cities on the east coast. Both rail and sea transport connectivity was a rare combination of factors during those early times. Distribution of alcohol could therefore have been supported by the infrastructure both internally and externally. Having risen as a leisure resort also made the popularity rating of the city higher than that of the rest of the cities. Criminal organization well protracted in the city such that illegal trade was well coordinated in the city better than in any other city along the east coast. Defining the leadership that characterized the resistance that prohibition law faced in the city cannot adequately be done without the mention of infamous leadership of people like Enoch “Nucky” Johnson, as briefly discussed in the following section. These crime factors influencing illegal alcohol trade therefore facilitated its establishment in the city. Enoch “Nucky” Johnson Stubborn city dwellers could have contributed in the establishment of bootlegging, for instance criminal leaders well represented by the lifestyle of Enoch “Nucky” Johnson. He was a mafia leader who contributed to the resistance of the enforcement of prohibition regulations. Born in the year 1883, Enoch witnessed the rise of the city as a resort centre and was among the wealthy city dwellers that benefited from the trade in illicit brewing industry. So great was the resistance that Nucky Johnson facilitated in Atlantic City that his name was adversely mentioned at the federal level agents who dubbed him the title “the virtual dictator.” Enoch worked hard to ensure that he participated in clean dealings during his usual business operations. His protection of the businessmen dealing in illegal alcohol trade was to be faced ruthlessly by the federal government agents.8 Resistance to prohibition regulations could not have found the light of the day were not for the shrewd balance of political wit and crime might that Enoch possessed. Through his infamous input into the historical developments that took place in the city, Enoch was capable of establishing a little empire for over thirty years in Atlantic City. He was capable of cementing his political network by supporting famous politicians into electorate public seats. His control for the city became well established since his colleagues and allies could get the best government jobs through his popularity among the political class. His undisputed power in the city leadership enabled him to have anyone he wished in a job or fired depending on his personal relationship with the individual. Indirectly “Nucky” was ruling the city through elected officials while assisting and supporting the trade in alcohol which the government was strongly fighting against9. Local Distilleries The illegal alcohol brewers had many joints through which they conducted their production of illegal brew. Local brewery owners therefore stubbornly facilitated illegal trade in alcohol by investing in their operation as the main income generating activity. On the forceful implementation of prohibition regulations in the Atlantic City, many distilleries were closed down without much success in averting the spread of the illegal trade. Some of the reasons why closing down of breweries and distilleries by the government agents failed included the concealment of the industries which carried on production as well as the impact of importation of alcohol from overseas. Smuggling of alcohol from outside the city proved to be the next challenge after the government considerably threatened the local production of illicit brews. Alcohol could be imported from Canada and as far as from the UK, since the city boasted of a good sea transport network. An example of the concealment tactic employed in the production was that employed by “the Jersey trio” where beer pipes ran underground along sewer lines into a packaging store avoiding the federal agents10. Atlantic City Conference Illicit alcohol trade in Atlantic City could have taken a different path without the Atlantic City conference, usually regarded as the largest criminal convention to ever take place on the American soil. Lead by some famous gang and mafia kings, the convention was aimed at consolidating a common contribution to the trade of alcohol in the region despite the fight launched by the federal government. Among the major resolutions arrived at during the meeting was a petitions to remove trade barriers in alcohol. This was an attempt to ensure that the government recognized the trade as a legal sector in the economy. In addition to the expansion of the alcohol trade, crime control across the United States was deliberated. This was a move that later assisted in the formation of the National Crime syndicate. Alternatively, it was slotted on the agenda, debate on how infightings between gang members dealing in alcohol trade could also be controlled. Competition was identified as a major challenge in elimination of gang fights over profits. Gang leaders were to conduct the business in a manner that the illegal business would continue to thrive despite the government’s fight against it. Serious business discussions were held on how the gangs could also venture in more of illegal business, for instance increased participation in gambling. Another business line suggested at the conference was the involvement in bookmaking and other games. Horse racing business was not spared as the convention lay out plans on controlling the business with all the investment effort that they could gather. Apparently, from the proceedings of the Atlantic City Conference, bootlegging was not about to be ended by the regulations provided for in the Prohibition order. Protracted common input by the powerful gang leaders contributed a lot of impetus in the determination of the direction that the illegal trade was to take. In respect to other crimes organization, it can be extrapolated that they only created room for more criminal and illegal activities to crop up and establish. The shared valued and vision of the illegal traders revived the weakening crime input which resulted in exposing the city to possible instability. The cause of the city’s decline later in the future could be as a result of the negative attention that the conference gave about it. It is therefore clear that the stubborn businessmen from the city who had the audacity of hosting a massive illegal conference in their city were making great contribution towards its development. Other Big Bootlegging “Players” in Atlantic City When we consider the major players in the bootlegging industry in Atlantic City, it could perhaps be tackled better by incorporating both the locals and outsiders, since they dealt directly with trade in the same area. With respect to this, however, New Jersey context is discussed in the major contributors in the illegal alcohol trade. Most of the prohibition era gang leaders dealing in bootlegging began their fortunes from small street peddlers to giants dealing in the entire City11. From their activities, it is clearly demonstrated that the lifestyle and conduct of the city’s famous illegal businessmen greatly contributed to the spread and existence of bootlegging. Max Hassel: was also known as the self acclaimed “Jersey’s Gentleman Beer Baron” was a rather subtle player who did not use a lot of brutality in a time it necessitated strong-arm strategies. Despite the fact that Hassel was dealing in a business that can be described as treacherous, he was generally an honest man. He was not violent amid a lot of dangerous engagements that called for violence and brutality. To support this depiction of his character, it is reported that he never carried a gun in his dangerous business. He owned a successful brewery in Camden which made him thrive in this business, besides other illegal engagements. Mickey Duffy: also referred to as “the muscle,” Duffy was a complete contrast of the character in Hassel. Strong-arm tactics were his way of operation, depicted in a violent coup he did at the Camden brewery that belonged to Hassel. In a violent encounter, Duffy toppled Hassel out of his own brewery but his calm character enabled him to negotiate for a partnership. Sooner, Duffy was met by his ordeal in a tragic encounter and lost his life. Hassel later teamed up with his partners to regain full control of the brewery. “The Jersey Trio”: Hassel teamed up with two of his colleagues to form the partnership known as “The Jersey Trio.” This team worked their way into profitable results through federal government evasion tactics. Captain William McCoy and Alcohol Smuggling into Atlantic City Besides the real gangster life characterizing the business of bootlegging, the noble and the least to be suspected also participated in the illegal trade. Captain William McCoy was a captain sailing to the East Coast and was sought after by smugglers to complete the overseas trade circuit. Even though he never took alcohol, the captain was dragged into the trade but remained in the denial that his was “honest lawbreaking.” Although his trade line was of exemplary standards, his participation in the delivery of thousands of consignments of illegal liquor automatically placed him among the larger lawbreakers. His assertions that he never broke the law like a criminal were proved wrong in his capture, arraignment and detention for nine months in New Jersey12. It is therefore right to state that the witty captain made huge contributions to the illegal business. The contribution of the captain joins the stubbornness factor from among the dwellers to the actual sea trade context based on the proximity of the city to a suitable geographical location for trade. Conclusion It is the contribution of the stubborn city dwellers that they participated in illegal alcohol trade. Alternatively, the location of the city near sea trade routes contributed to bootlegging. These factors coupled to the establishment of the city as an entertainment resort presented a loophole in distinguishing between crime and entertainment by the fan looking visitors. Works Cited “Bootlegging 66,” Hubpages.com. Accessed January 31, 2011. http://hubpages.com/hub/bootlegging . “History of Atlantic City,” City of Atlantic City. Accessed January 31, 2011. http://www.acfpl.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22&Itemid=784 Carole, Bos, D. "Road to Perdition" AwesomeStories.com. Accessed January 31, 2011. http://www.awesomestories.com/flicks/road-perdition Walker, Dave. “HBO Boardwalk Empire visits Atlantic City History.” nola.com, September 19, 2010. Accessed January 31, 2011. http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2010/09/hbos_boardwalk_empire_visits_a.html Ruffolo, Robert, E., & Sokolic, William, H. Images of America: Atlantic City Revisited. San Francisco, CA: Arcadia Publishing, 2006. Enoch L. (“Nucky”) Johnson- Nucky Thompson” Awesomestories.com. Accessed January 31, 2011. http://www.awesomestories.com/assets/nucky-thompson Clark, Michael, & Good, Dan. “Nicky Johnson: The Man who Ran Atlantic City for 30 Years.” pressofAtlanticCity.com. Last modified August 20, 2010. Accessed February 2, 2011. http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/blogs/boardwalk_empire/article_4277415c-a815-11df-be3f-001cc4c002e0.html Capo. “The History of Beer in New Jersey.” Mafia Today, May 5, 2010. Accessed February 2011. http://mafiatoday.com/general-breaking-news/the-history-of-beer-in-new-jersey/ Louise, Slavicek, C. The prohibition era: temperance in the United States. New York, NY: Infobase Publishing, 2008. Read More