Security
Nearly everyone in the bootlegging business, from the bottom man on the chain to the syndicate heads, paid for protection, from each other and from the authorities. The syndicates of course paid at the political level, obtaining protection from the local authorities by paying the heads of the political machines and chiefs of police. Federal officers were also subject to bribery. For the bootlegger, paying for protection was just another cost of doing business. Even the small-time independents paid their local beat cops for protection, and for referrals to their business. The beat cops were often used to direct customers to their liquid refreshment, for which they collected yet another gratuity.
The operators of the branch firms were given the names of local politicians or powerful businessmen, names which they shared with their employees, to be mentioned in an offhand manner when accosted by local authorities in compromising situations, such as being pulled over with a load of illegal hooch in the trunk. The mentioning of the name would not only end the inquiries of the arresting officer, but smooth the way along the rest of the miscreant’s journey, since the officer would phone ahead and warn other departments or precincts that a load of product belonging to so-and-so would be passing through.
The product itself was given innocuous names during these communications, such as those of soaps, with Ivory representing one type of liquor, and Lifebuoy another. Other products used included razor blades by brands, watches, clothing items (hats and spats were popular), and other commonplace items. Why such items were often moved in the dark of night at high speed was seldom if ever questioned, once the power of the protector’s name was invoked.