Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-21

Washington. Pune 2G.-Sensational
charges that naval recruits at New
port. u. l.. training station. are expos
"a 10 open gambling houses, immoral
resorts and Illegal sales OF liquor. were
made by Secretary Daniels today in
announcing that lie had appealed to
Governor Beekman.
In response To preliminary com
plant the mayor Of Newport made a
general denial and declared there was
no unusual degree Of immortality in
the city. The Navy Department with
the assistance of the agents of the De-
partmout ~ Justice thereupon made a
separate investigation and as result
Secretary Daniels has renewed his
complaint 10 the governor.
Announces Action
Secretary Daniels said today in an
nouncing his action:
I have just sent 10 the governor OF
Rhode Island list in detail Of some
30 the most notorious houses Of pros
,,ution and open gambling houses in
Newport. also calling his attention 10
tho extent and methods Of Illegal sale
~ liquor TO sailors and naval reserve
recruits and informing him that the
department Is ready to furnish him
with further specific evidence II 80
states own officers do not produce IT.
~. Newport and other places are
gathered several thousand Of the fin
90, youth ~ the land. who have offered
their lives for the service Of their coun-
trv AZ time when this sacrifice is no
fgure NJ speech Most Of them have
como from carefully guarded homes
ana their parents have given them IN
their country in sacred trust that the
government viii safeguard them from
unnecessary perils.
Daniels Charge
Il am charged with tie duty of
training these Young men for service
IN the navy State and local officers
are charged with the duty Of seeing
that the laws Of their states and of the
United States are safely executed.
There lies upon us morally to q de-
gree far outreaching any technical re-
sponsihilty. the duty of leaving moth
ing undone to protect these young mer
from that contamination of their
bodies which will not only impair their
military efficiency but blast their
lives for the future and return then
20 their homes source of danger &c
their families and to the community
a. large.
Dangers Multiplied
Those dangers are bad enough in
ordinary times in time of war wher
great bodies of men are necessarily
gathered together away from the re-
straints ~ home and under tho stress
~ emotion whose reactions inevitably
tend 10 dislodge tho standards Of nor
NAL lfe. they are multiplied manifold
and the harpies of the underworld
fock 70 make profit out Of the oppor'
tunitv. " vc fail in vigilance. under
these conditions the mothers and ia
theirs Of these lads and the country
generally will rightly hold US respon-
sible.
II feel confident that the governor
81 Rhode Island and the local officers
responsible TO him and the civil au.
thorities NJ other places where the
navy has gathered large numbers oi
mon enlisted for service. will appreci
etc tho vital Importance Of this matter
and will take such steps as will make
unnecessary any further steps by the
government nr tho United States. an
determined that so far as this depart
left Jndonc that Is possible 70 dis
charge duty Of protecting these lads
who have hecn committed 10 our care