The Washington herald., 1919-02-21
SIXTH OFFICER
HELD IN NAVAL
CRAFT SCANDAL
lieut.. B. j. EIlert, Of Ad-
miral Usher's Staff,
Under Arrest.
3RBERS FACE TRIAL
,foney Paid by Fathers to
Get Boys "Soft
Jobs"

The Navy Department yesterday
anounced the arrest of Lieut.. B.
E1Iert, Of Admiral Ushers staf,
1 connection with the investigation
: graft scandals in the Third Naval
fstrict-
ElIert was the detail oficer for
srsonnel in the ONCE Of Rear Ad-
irai Usher. and necessarily would
Iercise a large degree Of influence
9TH in making assignments and in
curing them The graft charges
the Third Naval District center
bout alleged taking OF bribes by
srtain officers in return for assign
* enlisted men TO soft snaps" and
,bs which would save them from
adergoing the hazards OF the sub
srine zone during the war.
Il developed yesterday that Ellert
as the hrst man to be arrested fol-
wing investigation Of the scandal
Mai John Muir. Marine Corps,
mt to New York by Secretary Of
re Navy Daniels following eN-
osures made IN the court-martisl
Lieut.. Benjamin Davis, Medical
'orps.
FHcrt is accused Of receiving
ribss and is held IN arrest for
oIFt-msrtill.
Six to Face Trial.
secretary Daniels declared yester-
ay that the total number OF men
lcfnx court-martiaI is now six All
res. six are officers. The names of
uly three so far have been made
ubIic-Davis, Ensign Paul NJ. Beck,
ay corps, and Eilert.
Omcials yesterday admitted. how
YER, that the number will be in
rsased largely as Mai. Muir's in
uiries proceed. That is made
vident from his initial reports,
ow in the hands Of Secretary Dam
Is.
The investigation is taking in
9th sides Of the bribery question
nose who received bribes and those
no gave them. As il Is evident
nat a number. at least, Of those
rho gave bribes are not in the
avail service. for instances fathers
no wanted their sons taken care
>" the Federal District Attorney
i'll be asked to take care Of these
Lses.
Secretary Daniels today declared
> would make public all informa-
on concerning the investigation as
st as il was received here, with
te exception OF facts which Maj.
rIir especially asks shall be tenn
orarily withheld. TIE reason such
formation VIII not be made public
that the department desires to
= most careful nos to binder in any
ny The work OF Mai. Muir by tip
ing on any individual in advance.
Reason for Secrecy.
Secrecy 50 far has been preserve
{ the request of Mai Muir. but
hen case is developed to Il safe
oint Cor publication, il will be given
II immediately" said Secretary
Daniels yesterday. 80 far there
ave been six cases Of Importance
nd the names Of three individuals
ave been given out. II the trail
ADS to men higher UP it will be
ollowed, and no favoritisn or par
afty will be shown to anyone.
Our whole object is to get at the
otton Of the whole affair. no mat
er who may be hit. 1t is certain,
Iowever, that undue publication Of
,onjectures would seriously hamper
he work OF Maj Muir.
so far as we know there are only
L few thousand dollars so far in
sofved. but, OF course, we are not
vet familiar with all the sacts and
ietsils which Mai. Muir has uncov-
sred.
TT has been rumored that similar
charges may develop in other naval
Of which there are fifteen.
II that is so, we know nothing about
{ here"