Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-06-04
CAY PARTIES ON
PRES|DENT'S YACHT
CAUSE SCANDAL
Discovery Followed by Navy
Temperance Order of Secre-
tary Daniels-TwO Off
GERS Involved.

New York, June 3.-The earnest de-
sire of President woodrow Wilson and
extraordinary efforts on the part of
Secretary Of the Navy Josephus Daniels,
backed as they have been by tactics
which naval officers characterize as
almost without precedent nave
proved unavailing to protect the secret
behind the enforced resignation OF
Passed Assistant Paymaster Edward c.
Little, attached to the Presidents
yacht. the Mayfower, and member of
one of Marylands Oldest and most ex-
elusive families. and the sudden trans
fer OF Lieutenant Archibald c. Doug
las. Junior grade, from the Mayflower
to the Asiatic station. Secretary Dam
iels caused It to be announced that Mr..
Little had resigned to enter business
life. but an examination of navy de-
partment records shows that the pay
masters resignation was officially ac
cepted for the good of the service"
Following the development of this
scandal Secretary Daniels promul-
gated his grape Juice" policy for the
navy and issued his order for the abo-
ltion of wine messes. both on shore
and afoat an order which, incidentally
and perhaps combined with other acts,
has made Mr.. Daniels the most unpop-
ular secretary the navy has yet had,
so far as the line officers are con-
cerned It is recalled that the secre-
tary, in explanation of his order told
correspondents that a young officer,
who had been forced to leave the serv-
ice. had said to him that he had learn
sd to drink on board United states
chips.
REPEATED UNDER SECRECY
PLEDGE.
The story has furnished Washington
society and the inner navy circles with
he liveliest sensation in many years
Even now it is known only to a few,
sor naval officers themselves who have
seard 1t dare not discuss it freely even
smong themselves, fearing the wrath
# the secretary should it ever be
sraced back to them. But an officer on
suty at Washington, on a visit to this
lity, told the story in confidence to
Ieveral intimate friends at a small din
ner at n cabaret restaurant. Some or
these passed it along, also under the
pledge of secrecy, to n few of the of
fcers on duty at the New York navy
yard
Both Little and Douglas We're popu-
lar in WASHINGTON society. They had
the entree to the most exclusive houses.
No dance, tea, reception or entertain
ment given by or to the younger set
was considered complete without them.
Both have been White House guests
and the guests of Secretary Daniels
Both men young and handsome
and have means independent of their
salaries, They have entertained law
lshly on the Mayflowcr, and among their
guests have been distinguished people
in Washington. They were frequent
guests at Weekend house parties.
MAYFLOWER's OFFICERS CARE
FULLY CHOSEN
The Nayilower is the Presidents per-
sonal yacht. Her officers are line officers
of the navy. and they are generally the
personal selections Of the President him
self and his secretary of the navy.
Necessary qualifications for an officer
Cor duty on the Mayfower are good
looks, money in reasonable quantities,
good birth and social graces
Among the officers selected for the
Mayllower under the administration was
Ensign Douglas Mr.. Little had already
been on duty on her for three years.
re before on the same ship, became fast
friends
During the latter part of last year there
had been rumors from time to time that
happenings We're going on on the Presi.
dents yacht which would open the eyes
Of advocates of grape juice and would
1hock men by no means prudish.
These rumors were not believed. Doug
as and his automobile were seen as Otter
rs ever on Pennsylvania avenue, at Chevy
Chase and wherever the socially cleo
gathered. So was Little. At the Army
Navy club ranking officers, If they men
tioned the rumors at all. carefully explain
ed that at was Understood" they origi
aatea from enlisted man on the May
flower, and less attention than ever wa
7aid to them.
Later however. 1t was reported that al
Enlisted man had carried grave Charge
against the officers Of the President
YACHT to the secretary OF tho navy. /
VAS whispered about a the Army Nav,
stub, in Washington, that the President
-acht had been used by gay parties in tn
nte hours Of the night and the earl,
morning hours, parties at which Womel
we're present and champagne corks pop
ped But the officers who were suppose
% have been sent for by Secretary Daniel
positively denied that they had Seer hr
III any such matter.
PAYS NO HEED TO STORIES.
If Little had any knowledge of tn
gossip concerning him, ne paid no at
tention to it. 1t was about the middl
Of December when the scandal wa
finally ventilated
Douglas was duty as officer of tn
4eck on the Mayhower His tour {
Suty was either from eight to u or
20 four on the night i'll question. Littl
came on board and brought two wome
with him. The party went below
Dinner, It is said, was served. and ther
was plenty Of liquid refreshments. a
enlisted man went aft to the quarter
deck and reported to Douglas tha
Little and two women We're on boarC
Douglas should have ordered the won
en- ashore and reported the entire OF
currence tn, next day to his comman,
ing officer He did neither, but, afte
he had been relieved, he went beo
and Joined the party, which did m
break up until morning.
This time the scandal could not
suppressed Five enlisted men Of II
Mayflower, one after the other, r.
ported Little. Secretary Daniels WI
aAI e