Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-03
THREE INDICTED
AS CONSP|RAT0RS
Grand Jury Action Follows Al
legged Draft Evasion
Attempt.

Edward l.. Travis, prominent law
yer and member of the corporation
commission Of North Carolina; Selim
Barnett Joseph of Chicago. and Leon
Myer Green of New York city, but
formerly lieutenant colonel on the
staff of Gov. Blease of South Caro-
lima, were indicted today by the
grand jury for conspiracy to commit
a crime against the United States.
1t is charged that the trio con-
spired to violate the se1ective draft
act by securing for Green, who is
thirty years old and subject to the
draft. a deferred classification by
pretending that he was employed in
an industry necessary to the mainte-
nance of the military establishment
$4O,OOO,OOO Contract Rumor.
At the time of the arrest of the
men, who are now at liberty under
$4,000 bail bonds, it was rumored that
they were attempting to close a con-
ing 100000. under which the Perth
Amboy Dry Dock Company of N6N
Jersey was to build ships for the
government. Travis, it was stated,
expected a fee of 100000, Joseph was
to have commission on the tonnage,
employed by the shipbuilding COM
pany.
The grand jury made no report on
the feature Of the case involving the
shipping contract. 1t could not be
learned at the United States attor-
are contemplated, but it is regarded
as not improbable that the grand
Jurors may be asked to consider that
phase of the matter during Septem-
Der.
Charge Against Joseph.
No alleged overt acts are charged in
the indictment against Joseph. but it
is alleged that Travis at Raleigh, n. c.,
signed and sent a telegram to Green
in which he falsely advised" that the
president of the Perth Amboy Dry
Dock Company could properly and law
fully make affidavit that Green was
purchasing agent of the company.
The overt acts charged against
Green consist, it is alleged. of the pro-
curing of an alleged contract with the
Perth Amboy Dry Dock Company for
employment as general purchasing
agent of the company, and the making
of two affldavits and filing them in the
office of the provost marshal general
at New York claiming that he was so
employed and entitled to deferred clas-
sifcation.
Governments Contention.
1t is understood the government
will contend that Green's employment
by the company was conditioned on
the procuring of the forty-million-
dollar contract, and that he was not
entitled thereby to deferred classifi-
cation. .--.,
The men will probably be called for
arraignment shortly after the Criminal
Court convenes in October.
Charge Violations of Espionage Act
Violations of the espionage act are
charged in two indictments returned
today. Charles E. Olsen, a seafarins
man of many years experience, is al
legged to have given false informa-
ton to the naval intelligence bureau,
that Olsen's vessel. the Mabel Brown,
had been sunk by a German subma-
rine of Block Island June 21.
Investigation proved the informa-
ton untrue, and as the government
was then searching for submarines in
Olsen's act was an attempt to divert
and interfere with the activities OF
the searchers. Olsen later admitted
his story was untrue. and said he was
intoxicated when he made the state
ment and then stuck to it.
The possession of blue prints con-
tanning information which the grand
Jurors in their indictment character
led as TOO confidential to set forth
is alleged in an Indictment agains,
Auguste Bach, former machinist in
the navy yard. The blue prints were
found after a search Of Bach's room
and a satisfactory explanation was
not given by him, it is stated. He is
charged with gross negligence.
A second Indictment returned today
against Bache alleges the larceny OF
five pieces of steel from the govern.
peculiar composition and made under
bars is placed at 81 each BY the in
dictment Bache is under bond.