The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-06
VINCENT ASTOR
ROBBED BY TAR
Sailor Faces Ourt-Martial
Over Loss of $1,000
From Wallet.
CONFESSED, 1T IS SAID
Money Taken During Trip on
U-bOat, According to
Charge Made.

Vincent Aston, who served with dis
tinction as a Lieutenant in the navy
and now is wearing multi again, Is to
appear soon before naval court at
the Brooklyn navy yard to prosecute
a charge Of robbery against a young
sailor who Is alleged to have stolen
a wallet containing $1,000 and personal
papers from pocket OF Lieut.. Astor's
coat on a voyage OF the German sub
marine C-ll7 which came TO this
country in April The defendant is
third class electrician Harry W. Alb
bolt, 19 years old. He is under guard
in the navy yard brig awaiting the
court-martial.
Young Abbott was one Of the eng1-
neering staff aboard the U-boat which
left Ha' ~. England early in April
In his confession It is alleged he SAID
that on the trip across he found Lieut..
Astor's wallet and returned 1t to him
after he had examined the contents,
which revealed almost $1,000. Abbott
further stated that a few days later
he again found the wallet and was so
tempted he extracted $50 and hid the
balance OF the money in his clothing
bag. When the U-boat arrived in this
city, Abbott said he went ashore and
spent the fifty dollars. Later he went
TO the bag to obtain the remainder
and found that some one had rifled
the effects and taken the money. Alb
bott. it is alleged, became conscience
stricken and told the story to the
executive officer of the N7"'
His story was doubted because Lieut.
Aston had explained that whoever took
tine wallet on the second occasion had
extracted It from his coat.
Abbott was put In the brig, and the
wallet, with some personal papers but
without the money. was later found In
the aft part of the boat among some oil
soaked cotton waste. Several persons
who have close contact with affairs in
the navy. yard are attempting to be-
friend Abbott. Mrs. ]. A MacColl OF
$40 Ocean avenue Flatbush. who for
years has been known AZ Mother
MacColl." because OF her kind interest
in the young sailormen who become en-
meshed with the rules and regulations,
is working hard in behalf OF Abbott,
Mother MacColl' said last night: 81
have personally pleaded for the young
man TO Mr. Aston. lie is IN a rather
hard situation. At the time the crime
is alleged MIR, Astor was an officer In
the navy and compelled to enter charge
against the sailor. l know he does not
want the boy to be severely punished
He is going TO prosecute him only be-
cause he feels that TO let the matter go
by would be an unkind way OF respecting
the laws and discipline OF our navy.
told him all about this boys family,
and also how his father while doing
work for the Government during the war
had several fingers badly manned.
am going to Washington tomorrow 10
see Secretary Daniels and officials Of
tho Navy department"
Vincent Aston could not be found last
night to give his version of the case
Ensign Carr. who presided at Drcst
France, ut many OF the cases tried in
yolving navy men, has been assigned as
counsel to Abbott The family history
of Abbott was not available at the navy
yard, but Mother MacCol" said his
father and mother had visited their son
since his committal to the brig.