Evening star., 1918-08-03
THREE ARE ACCUSED
UNDER DRAFTLAW
E. L. Travis, S. B. Joseph
and L. NJ. Green Give
S. 900 Bond Each.
OTHER CHARGES PENDING

United States Commissioner Mason
N. Richardson today fixed at $4,000
each bail bonds for Edward L. Travis.
member of the Corporation Commits
sion of North Carolina, and one OF
the most prominent lawyers Of that
state; Selim Barnett Joseph of Chi
cago and Leon Myer Green OF New
York, formerly a lieutenant colonel
on the staff of Gov. Cole l. Blease OF
South Carolina.
The three men were taken into Gus
tody late yesterday afternoon on
warrants sworn out before Commits
sioner Richardson by special agent
of the Department of Justice on q
charge of conspiring to evade the
draft law.
Green is within the draft age and
the warrant charges that the three
men conspired to obtain for him a de-
ferred classification. In furtherance
of the alleged conspiracy the warrant
charges that Green entered into a
contract to be employed by the Perth
vote all his time to such employment,
"whereas in fact he was to be free
from obligation to devote his time
thereto"
It also is charged in the warrant
that Green made oath before his draft
board in New York that he was en-
gagged in an industrial enterprise nee
essary to the maintenance OF the mil
itary establishment
Conspiracy to Defraud Alleged.
Back of the arrest is said to be an
allegation of conspiracy to defraud the
United States of vast sums OF money
in connection with contracts, which
the three men are said to have de-
with the shipping board. According to
reports reaching the Department Of
Justice, Travis, Joseph and Green had
been negotiating with the dry dock
company fer several months 70 procure
which the Perth Amboy Dry Dock
Company of New Jersey was to build
ships for the United States Shipping
Board.
It is reported that Travis. who was
a former law partner of Representa-
tive Kitchin, before the latter came
to Congress, expected to receive a fee
of 100000. Joseph. it is asserted.
looked for S1.50 ton on each ship
and Green was to Be employed by the
shipbuilding concern.
Richard F. Mcdonald. a Chicago
banker. connected with the Perth Am
boy Company, is said to have discov-
cred the details of the alleged agree
authorities, it Is stated.
The three men were held in police
stations during the night. and no
statements were made by them for
publication.
Statement by Attorney McNein
Attorney Robert H. McNein, who
one Of the most highly respected law
yers of North Carolina. and said:
81 firmly believe there is nothing in
the charges made against Mr., Travis
From my investigation Of his de-
Tense. his connection with the ship
building proposition was purely pro-
fessionaI and altogether legal. This
he will demonstrate to the satisfac-
tion of the courts and the public when
the facts fully appear"
Relinquishes Post at Raleigh.
RALEIGH. N. c.. August s,-E. L.
Travis. reported arrested in Wash.
ington on government charges, was
chairman of the. North Carolina COR
poration commission for a number Of
years until August 1. when he re-
linguished his duties after rendering
his resignation several weeks ago. He
resigned after criticism of his con-
tinual absence from his duties in this
city. while he was conducting private
business in Washington. When he
resigned he stated that he could not
sacrifice business in Washington which
meant more to him than membership
on the corporation commission.
He has been prominently identified
with state politics. He is a close
friend Of ex-Gov. w, w. Kitchin and
House Faoor Leader Claude Kitchin.