New-York tribune., 1917-11-27
InvestigatorAdmits Scheme
To Back Up Her Camp
immortality Charges
Exposed by Gen. Bell
Man and Woman Arrested,
but Are Given Liberty on
Confessing
Especial CorrespondeAeel


CAMP UPTON, Y. Y, Nov. ga
man and woman, who were planted
at the Acker, Merrill & Condi. Com
pany's hotel here by Mrs. Grace Humis
ton, who hoped by having them register
as man and wife 70 prove her conten-
tIon that immoral conditions existed in
the National Army encampment, were
arrested yesterday soon after they had
gone to their room. They were taken
TO headquarters, where the man was
questioned, then we're sent back to the
hotel, where they were obliged to get
separate rooms, and to-day were put
aboard d train for New York.
The man said that he was jane g
Adkins; the girl gave her name as Ade-
line Francis, and said she lived with
Mrs. Humiston. Adkins told the mill
tary police that they had intended TO
demonstrate how easy it would be TO
register as man and wife in the camp.
He said he had made an appointment
with Mrs. Humiston 20 meet Miss
Francis" at the Pennsylvania Station
and was simply carrying out instruc-
tions.
At the hotel the pair registered as
"Mr. and Mrs Robert Pendleton, Kan
sas City. No
General Bells statement concerning
the affair says that II began when Z. ".
Penland. d sergeant, first class. IN the
cooks and bakers school, received a
letter from Adkins on November 20.
Adkins had been a carpenter before
he became a detective for Mrs. Humis-
ton, agd had met Sergeant Penland
when doing work for a contractor at
Camp Upton. His letter invited Pen
land 20 come 20 the dance which Mrs.
Humiston gave some time ago at Ter
race Garden and 70 bring other non
commissioned officers who might be able
70 tell the vice investigator Of immoral
conditions at Upton.
"Shc told nc 70 tell you the letter
ran, THAI she would not use your
names IN sn- way when she goes 20
Washington % see the Secretary Of
War about same, and for you telling
her what you know and think would
be oest 10 do she will give you free
tickets TO the ball. Come over Wednes-
day and bring all the men you can get
and | will show you good time"
Penland and another sergeant, one
Klein. attended the dance and there
met "Miss Francis" Yesterday Pen
land, who insists he knew nothing Of
the Humiston "plant," saw Adkins and
the girl in camp.
According 20 General Bells report,
Adkins told the sergeant that he was
going to try to get room at the hotel
for himself and the girl.
"An agent Of the Secret Service the
report says, "waS notified OF these facts
and. going to the hotel, accompanied by
a guard, found Adkins and the young
girl in bedroom together, fully
clothed. An examination of the hotel
register showed that they had been
registered as Mr.. and Mrs Robert Pen
dleton, Kansas City, Mo-"
"The hotel clerk states that Adkins
said he had come to see a friend in the
camp. that he thought the camp was
nearer Brooklyn than it was, and had
expected 70 get back TO Brooklyn that
night, but found the last train gone
Mrs. Humiston last night issued
statement admitting that the whole
scheme had originated with her.
~ started out 70 prove that a man
and a woman could register at a hotel
down az the camp without baggage. I
did IT," said Mrs. Humiston. They can
try to camouflage the issue if they
want TO. II won't help. That coup'r
could have remained in the room all
right if the girl hadn't been recog-
nized by soldier who knew her.
Three high officials from Governors
Island talked with this girl in my
Office to-day. They arree that what
happened indicates all is not as it
should be at Camp Upton. They are
Investigating it and have liSewi So
notified Secretary of War Baker OF
wha. happened"
Officers, who have resented bitterly
the imputations Of immora ity cast
upon Camp Upton by Irs. Humiston,
found in Adkins one Of the woman law
ver's informants concerning the "mur,
der" of innocent girls b. the drafted
men. A portion Of the carpenter-de-