Izzy Einstein and Moe Smith

Izzy Einstein and Moe Smith were a famous duo of Prohibition agents in the United States during the 1920s. Known for their creative and often humorous methods of law enforcement, they became symbols of the struggle against illegal alcohol during the Prohibition Era.

Early Life

Isidor "Izzy" Einstein was born in Austria in 1880 and immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century. He worked as a postal clerk before joining the Prohibition Bureau in 1920.

Moe W. Smith was a native New Yorker, born in 1887. Prior to joining the Prohibition Bureau, he worked as a taxi driver.

Prohibition Era

Einstein and Smith were not typical law enforcement agents. They were known for their use of disguises and ruses to catch violators of the Prohibition laws. They posed as everything from soda salesmen to fishermen, and their exploits were widely reported in the press.

Despite their unconventional methods, Einstein and Smith were extremely effective. In a four-year period, they made over 4,932 arrests and had a conviction rate of 95 percent. Their success was due in part to their deep understanding of the communities they policed, particularly New York City's immigrant populations.

Later Life and Legacy

Einstein and Smith's careers as Prohibition agents ended in 1925 when the Prohibition Bureau was reorganized. However, their legacy lived on. They were celebrated in popular culture and their stories continue to be told as part of the history of the Prohibition Era.

See Also

• Prohibition in the United States
• Prohibition Bureau
• Prohibition Era

References

• Izzy Einstein and Moe Smith: Prohibition's Almost Perfect Pals, by Mike Dash
• Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, by Daniel Okrent