The San Francisco call., 1905-06-23
TWICE REMOVED
FROM THE NAVY
Recent Dismissal of Pay
Inspector Sullivan Recalls
Old Story of a Shortage
Special Dispatch to The Cali.

CALL BUREAU, POST BUILDING,
WASHINGTON, June 22.-The recent dis
missal by order of the President of Pay
United States navy ends a career In the
naval service probably without precedent
by reason of the fact that the disgraced
officer has been twice summarily dis
missed from the navy.
Sullivan was appointed from Ohio dur
ing the term of Office of Secretary of the
Navy Hunt. He had a somewhat tum-
ultuous time in various parts of the
world and came to grief at the Mare
Island Navy Yard. California.
Charges were brought against him in
effect that he was short in his accounts
to the extent of several thousand dollars.
An Inspector was detailed to examine his
books, but before his arrival Sullivan
went ashore from vessel in the harbor
to which he was attached, proceeded to
Vallejo and called upon several persons
to whom he was indebted, telling them.
it is claimed, that he needed about $4,000
temporarily. 1t is also said that Sulli-
van was indebted to these persons and
in order to obtain the amount necessary
to cover the delinquency made the cold
blooded statement to them that if he did
not get the funds he would be dismissed
from the service and their chances for
repayment Oh OlQ QeDlS WOulQ De QSClOeO-
ly slim. His creditors took a further
chance and advanced him the required
amount with the understanding that the
loan would be for a short time only. Sui
livan then repaired to his ship to place in
his safe the money necessary to cover
up his alleged defalcatfons.
1t had become well known about the
Mare Island Navy Yard that the pay
master was in financial difficulties and
hx,
officer that when he came aboard from
his trip to Vallejo he should be placed
under arrest. For some reason unknown
the officer of the deck did not execute
the orders. which gave Sullivan an op-
portunity to reach his office and cover
his actions before he was held to account.
AS the navy system of booAAeeping is
peculiar the books showed an irregular
ity, but the cash was on hand, and upon
this fact was based charges for which
he was court-martialed, found guilty, and
dismissed.
For years Sullivan lived in Washing
ton haunting the Navy Department and
the Capitol during the sessions of Con-
gress fighting for reinstatement, which
he finally secured through special act
of Congress- His case was taken up by
Senator who had been Secretary OF the
Navy. Sullivan received pay and allow
ances for the time he was out of the
service, which amounted to about $4,000
or more. He was also restored to his
place in the corps, which he would have
held had he served continuously.
Sullivan's enemies at the department,
determined that his career would be one
of rough sledding,'' assigned him to a
vessel on the Pacific Coast, which should
have been given an officer OF much lower
rank. He was finally detailed to a ves-
sci commensurate with his grade. Even
then he was looked upon throughout the
service an interloper. 1t was asserted
that he had been out of the service so
long that he was not up to modern meth
DDS and was incapable OF performing the
duties Of his Office.
About six months ago Sullivan was up
for examination for promotion and was
turned down by the examining board.
second board passed him. Then further
charges were brought against him and he
was court-martialed again while on duty
at the League Island Yard, Philadelphia.
A second time he was sentenced to dis
missal upon charges involving violations
of the naval regulations. The President
on the last occasion approved the find
ings of the court.