New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26
ARMY AND NAVY notes.
officer Accused of Embezzle-
ment Censured by Winthrop.
tFrom The Tribune Bureau

Washington, January y.
ASSISTANT PAYMASTER REPRE-
MANDED.-The Secretary Of the Navy
has severely reprimanded Assistant Pay
master Russell Van de Water Bleecker,
appointed from New York in 1911. Seven
or eight months ago this officer, then on
duty at the naval station at Key West.
was brought before a general court mar
tial on charges Of embezzlement hnd alb
sence from station and duty after his
leave had expired. There has been much
delay because of the claim that the EN-
bezzlement was technical.
Meantime, the officer has been under
arrest at Key West. He has not been
restored to duty with reprimand, the
sentence imposed by the court. which
voted to impose this nominal punishment
because Of the circumstances. The case
was reviewed by Assistant Secretary
Winthrop. who az Acting Secretary re-
marks:
1t is very evident from the record o!
proceedings In this case that Assista ,
Paymaster Blocker wilfully and int ',,n
Mnds WITH whieS he had been
both In cashing a certificate OF deposit as
an accommodation to a personal ilit ,S
and In drawing government 1unus NM. .n
were not due him for his personal u'0
while on leave Of absence.
1t ia further evident that. In appro-
pr1ating the public money 10 MS o'vn use
on account OF pay when " was NJ. ~
him. Assistant Paymaster bieec n s,;n,
either Intentionally and deliberately vl0-
lated the statutes or was guilty OF sucI
negligence as has repeatedly been heio
the equivalent Of criminal intent
Assistant Paymaster Blocker was thus
guilty Of embezzlement. He has thereby
violated the duty he owed to the service,
to himself and to his bondsmen. SO 10
conduct his official duties as to be ABOVE
and confidence In his fidelity must be felt
by his bondsmen as well as by the ae-
partment.
ORDERS IsSUED.-The following or
ders have been issued:
ARMY.
Captain OLIVER T. NJ. HAZARD from as
sisnment 9th Cavalry attached 10th Cav
Name OF First Lieutenant JOSEPH D. PARK.
l4th Cavalry. placed on list detached officers.
Fsssy Is and na%s OF ea risit ra@o1ed
therefrom. Lieutenant Fisher assigned l4th
Cavalry. February 10 ~ ~ -
First Lieutenant DAyID P. WOOD, 18TH In
Lowell Lowell Pebruary Vice FIRST Lieutenant
ARTHUR O. FISHER, cavalry
Leave OF absence. captain JOhN w. W ALT. ~
18th Cavalry. two months on expiration a,
leave win return to Walter Reed General
Hospital.
lieutenant c. f. SMITH. detached the Alert:
TO command the FL.
Lieutenant Junior grade) J. W. LEWIS. oe-
tached the Annapolis; TO Naval Hospital.
Mare Island. .
Lieutenant Ounior ersde) J. B. HoWELl- do
tached the Eli to the Annapolis.
Aafa
Ensign j. NJ b. SMITH. detached the Nir-
giniai 70 the Panther.
MOVEMENTS OF wARsHIPS.-The
following movements OF vessels have been
reported to the Navy Department:
ARRIVED.
Jan. 28-Ths Arkansas, the Lebanon ana the
Nashyllle at Guacanayabo. the Whippie, the
Paul Jones, the Preble. tho Stewart ana tho
Truxton, at San Diego
Jan. A-The Dagle. at Guantanamo
SAILED.
Ian. 22-rha AYkansas, the Lebanon and tho
Nashville. from Guantanamo Tor GuacAhA'
abo Bay.
Jan. 2a,-rhe Ysnx.on. from Guantanamo for
Jan. W.-TAe whipple. the Paul Jones. tho
Prebie the Stewart ard the Truxtop. from
Santa Barbara for San Diego the Tonopah;
the FL. from Charleston for Brunswick.
Ga the Cyciops. from 0uacanayabo Bay Tor
Hampton Roads; tho wyoming The utsh:
the North Dakota, the Florida ana mo
Psuiding. from Cri"o6si fos v MScam ,S.
Drsyton. the Terry, the Henley. the sterett
and tho Warrington. from Cristobsl Tor
Guantanamo.