The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-05
ELLERT'S ADMISSION
OF GUILT ACCEPTED
Court Martial's Sentence Of
Lieutenant for Graft Sent
to Washington.
OTHER CHARGES DROPPED
Twenty-seven Others, Includ-
ing Naval Officers Likely
to Be Prosecuted.

Tns courtmsrtisl which has been try
ing Lieut. (junior graded Benodt q. M
lsrt on charges OF accepting valuable
considerations froru-psrsons seeking scft
shore Jobs In the service accepted yes
terday the plea OF guilty which the ae-
cused oficer rendered on Friday to six
OF the nfty-ons specifications In the
charges against him. His plea was ae-
cepted under instructions from Assistant
Secretary Of the Navy Roosevelt and BY
the advice OF the Judge Advocate Gen
erals offics the remaining charges were
dropped.
The sentence Of the court VIII Be sent
TO washington for approval by the De-
partment and will be announced frorf
there. The extreme penalty for the Of
fences TO which Ellert pleaded guilty "
fifteen years imprisonment on each OF
the six specifications.
The six specifications to which the
accused entered a plea Of guilty charge
that on December ~, 1917. he ac-
copied money to procure the promo
ton Of Henry Erlangsr. chief yeoman.
u. 3. ". r. r.. TO ensign; that from
March to May, 1913, he conspired
with Lieut. Benjamin 8. Davis. Medical
Corps. to procure money from applicants
for enrolment who desired shore duty
in and near New York: that from May
to November, 1913. he conspired with
Louis Markowits and others to secure
various privileges and favors for certain
members Of the Naval Reserve force |;
that August 6, 1913. he received money
for shore duty as third class store
keeper: that on Ausust 20. 1913, he
caused one Lawrence Bacon to DO en-
rolled as q seaman and stationed at
Pelham, contrary to orders which had
been issued by the Department forbid
cling the enrolment OF additional per
sonnet In the reserve force, and that on
Lieutenant Commander Christopher
Marsdsn. than enrolling oflicsr at the
headquarters Of the Third Naval Dis
trict, Lieut.. Louis Pollen. Medical Corps.
and Louis Markowitx to evade and de-
feat the order against further enlist
ments.
A total of twenty -sevsn persons, officers.
enlisted men and civilians are mentioned
in the six specifications and 1t Ii prob
able that proceedings will begin against
such of them as are still In active SER
vice or on the inactive list of the Naval
Reserve Force. The Third Naval Dis
trict authorities, however, will await In
structlons from Washington before TAX
ing further action. The civilians involved
ara not amenable to the Jurisdiction Of
q court-martial and II proceedings are
taken against them the case will be
tried in the United States District Court.
A ]. Nova, attorney for Ellert. of
fered yesterday In evidence his clients
honorable discharge from the 18TH In
diana Volunteer Infantry. dated Noven-
Der /, 1898. a continuous service certifi-
cate showing that Ellert served in the
navy with an honorable record from
August 20, 1909. to September 30. 1915.
except for an interval OF about two
years In 1907 and 1908, and a good con-
duct medal issued to him aboard the
u. s. S. Louisiana october /, 1919. He
also asked the court to consider. in pass
ing sentence the fact that the accused
already had been under detention, con-
fined to his quarters. for more than
seven months
Capt Roy c. Smith served as presi-
dent Of the court and the other members
were Capt Edward r. Constein, Capt
John W. Timmons, Commander William
x. Tomb. Lieutenant Commander George
L. wicks, Commander r. r. Scheehan
and Commander Cline H. Drago. Major
]. c. Muir. U. s. NJ, c., was judge advo-
cate. He was assisted by Lieut.. l.. c.
Matteson.