Arizona republican., 1919-02-19
BR|BES TO JET
 PREFERMENT IN
 NAVY DISCLOSED
IRepubIican A. p. Leased Wire1

NEW YORK; EeD. lS.-A1reSlS on charges of bribery and graft in the per sonnel of the third naval district have been made, following an investigation ordered by Secretary Daniels, the New York Evening Post says today.
 The Post quotes Secretary Daniels as saying that the investigation indi- oates that money was paid for as signments and promotions in the serv- ice and discharges from the service" It is charged that a system of bribery of minor officials of the district, with the particular reference to the naval reserve force, has been operating.
 The investigation by the secretary of the navy was ordered, it was said. after he had consulted with Rear Admiral Nathaniel R. Usher. in command of the district, who is described as preferring that any investigation that was un- dertaken should be made by some one outside of the district. The investigator is a member of the staff of judge ad- vocate's office in Washington.
 The bribery charges are set forth as consisting of the acceptance for enlist ment of physically unfit men upon false medical records; the assignment Of men for duties far removed from war ZO1lt s1lu dCludl Stei Stl NlNCs Nlit lldl fer of men from one district to another, in order to escape sea service; permis- sion to men to continue their business activities while attending to their navy duties for only an hour or two a day; and the passing of men for early dis charge after the signing of the ar miStice.
 Daniels Disapproves Verdict
 It was reported tonight that the man referred to by Secretary Daniels as having already been tried by court martial. was a lieutenant, first grade who had served here as a medical exam iner.
 The lieutenant, it was said, was con victed on charge of accepting a bribe for transferring a man to the aviation section and his dismissal recon mended.
 Secretary Daniels, it is said, disap- proved the findings and ordered a new trial which resulted in the officers conviction and sentence to three years imprisonment.
 Another lieutenant, it was said, is held in the brig of the training shiI Granite State here, awaiting a cour1 martial.
 A yeoman, under arrest, it was said prospered so well during the period ot alleged grating that he was enabled on one occasion to give a ''very smal party to Broadway theatrical favoritt at a cost of $500"
 The former medical examiners ar. rest. it is understood, was the worl of Joseph Whitehead, member of tn, naval intelligence department, wh' was formerly stationed at Boston. Hearing rumors that the lieutenan would arrange transfers for a price, Whitehead is said to have approache, him and applied for transfer fo himself and Jack Piclford, the motiol picture actor, who was a friend O Whitehead. A conference was arrange at a hotel and naval intelligence de partment operatives recorded White heads dickering with the officer b means of 8 telephone device. Afte the conference the officer was arreste and $500 in marked bills, which ha been handed to him by Whitehead were taken from his pocket.
 Collect Close to S500,000
 The officer, it was said, confesse and surrendered bank books showing long list of deposits in excess of hi salary as a naval officer.
 Another report was to the effect ths seven officers and forty yeomen wel under arrest in connection with tf alleged grating. and that the name a high naval officer of the district ha been brought into the case as a suspect ed man higher up." This officer
 was reported, had deposited in banl in New York and other cities since u United States entered the war sun aggregating s250,00O.
 The man higher up," it was repor ed, worked through one or more yet men who proposed payment of mone as a means of gaining favoritism, ar conducted negotiations which begs with a formal dinner to "the man higi CT up," and eliminated in payments money through the yeoman. The investigator working on il
 case, it was said, has one flashligl
 photograph of dinner to the allegt
 higher up," showing this man, sever
 yeomen and some of the men who ha' : made affidavits accusing those und l, arrest with having solicited and a, ; cepted bribes.
 2 The amount of money said to ha'
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