New-York tribune., 1919-02-19
n av vi en-
Are accused
OF " Grafttiin1g.. s. .
Continued from pxge l

worked this game in another way, too,
for he sold meals, for rs cents or ST. to
the men who could afford it and wanted
better food. and even sold meals to
outsiders. All this was with food pur~
chased with navy funds"
One of the "gobs" at the station said
the traffic in discharges was finally car
ried on so openly that the men used to
pan the money asked for the service,
usually $50, to the application for dis
charge, which reached the chief boat
swain. The release from service fol
lowed within a few days.
Discharge Made Difficult
Following the revelations, it was re-
ported yesterday that no discharge is
being granted until it is vised by Sec
retary Daniels's representative, sent
here especially from Washington. This
IS done. 1t was explained, so that none
of those guilty Of offering bribes might
be able to escape punishment by get
ting back into civil life.
The alleged trafficker at 2SO Broad
way is said to have demanded-and re-
ceived-as much as $500 to bring about
promotions and discharges, and it was
this, according to The Tribune's in
formant, which caused his downfall.
1t was said that this man, the junior
grade lieutenant, had promised to have
a yeoman promoted to the rank Of
chief yeoman, the consideration to be
$500. The fee. it is reported, was
handed over willingly
Just then the yeoman got word that
his promotion was coming through Of
ri l,, wi Il
not need the services of the 'accele-
| rator." He demanded his money back.
His request was refused, and in anger
the yeoman reported the whole matter
to his superior officer. The arrest Of
the "accelerator" followed
Every "gob" and most of the navy
officers interviewed yesterday by The
Tribune reporter admitted that the SER
vice could show numerous examples of
graft and influence at play.
at isn't what you know, but whom
you know, and how much you have, that
counts in the navy" said one sailor
"There are cases | know of where men
enlisted in the navy with their auto
mobiles and were given soft berths
driving officers around, going with
them to theatres and restaurants and
living at home.
NSo III q Cdlllp Wuclt A pSlIy Oh =
fcer frequently sold leaves and fur
loughs, by making the men buy tickets
to boxing matches and entertainments
which were never given. If you bought
ticket you could get Off for day or
two; If you didn't your application was
mlslaid or turned down"
Another sailor said that he had been
turned down twice by medical exami-
ners, and was then accepted at the third
attempt. He refused to tell how he
managed it, but said he "knew a way"
An officer at the Bensonhurst sta
ton said, referring to the graft reve-
lations: "There is undoubtedly q lot
! Of it going on in small way, but it
IS not 80 prevalent as it would appear
at first. Ninety-nine per cent of the
men and officers in the service are
honest"
Rear Admiral Usher, at the Brook
lyn Navy Yard last night, refused to
make any statement concerning the
disclosures.
"All information viii have to come
from Secretary of the Navy Daniels, -
ne said. "You know the regulations
forbidding naval officers making
statements is still in force"