The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-26
DANIELS ACCUSES
5NAVY RESERVISTS
Says Lieut.. B. s. Davis, Now
Serving Three Years,
Grated $4,000.
OTHERS AWAITING TRIAL
Secretary Asserts Lieut.. Benoit
~. Ebert Received About
$4,000.

Secretary Daniels's promised curtain
raiser In the graft scandals of the Third
Naval district headquarters came hot
over the wires from Washington yester-
day, giving the hrst full public an
nouncement OF the progress OF the in
vestigation begun by Major John Il.
Muir OF the Judge Advocates office.
The Secretary stated that Ave naval re-
servists-three officers and two enlisted
msn---so far have definitely been con-
nscted with the charges. All are under
confinement. Lieut.. Benjamin S. Davis
10 under sentence of three years, after
which he will be dishonorably discharged
from the service.
Lieut.. Davis, II appears from the Sec
retary's statement was not the chief
CRATER. He got only $4,000 in cash.
His achievements are far outshone by
those Of Lieut. Benoit James Ellert, now
confined to await the pleasure of court
martial on the training ship Granite
state.
Others Who Are Accused.
The others concerned in the cha rges
are Ensign Paul Beck, Lloyd G. Casey,
chief boatswain. and Frederick A. Jones.
chief boatswain's mate.
Ensign Beck was a youngster even In
the naval reserve service, and by dint of
faithful duty as chief yeoman finally
achieved a post as Ensign in the pay
corps. Ensign Beck is charged with
furthering the war time interests of the
service by accepting dinner invitations,
unsolicited gifts (no books mentioned)
and a sum of money of which $1,000 is
so far established. He is in confine
ment on Ellis Island.
Mate Jones is held only for assisting
the enterprises of Chief Boatswain Casey
who led only one applicant to cross his
palm for material aid in obtaining relief
from active duty to the pleasurable pur-
suits OF civilian life in a gob's uniform.
Danieis's Statement.
The official statement of Secretar,
Daniels is as follows:
Benjamin S. Davis was on duty a.
the enrolling Office. 81 Chambers street
New York city, and in connection witt
his work as medical examiner, II Is al
legged he received on numerous occasion:
sums OF money and presents for enrol
ing men in the naval service. some o
whom were physically defective anC
whose defects required waiver before en-
rolment
''The total amount OF money receive,
by him is believed to be $4,000, a larg
percentage of which was passed on t,
one or more other officers who were en-
gagged with him in this money maxim,
scheme.
Lieut.. Davis was tried by court
martial at the navy yard. Brooklyn, y
Y, in July, 1918, was convicted and sen
tsnced to be dismissed from the nava
service and to be imprisoned for thre
years. A review of his case by the De
partrnent gave rise to the belief tina
others were implicated and the investga
ton now under way was ordered.
"As result Of the investigation tn
Department Is In possession of facts in
dicating that there were many othe
offences committed by Lieut.. Davis Il
addition to those on which he wa
brought TO trial. The evidence also show
that he was not working alone in tn
matter
Lieut.. Ellert was on duty with tn
headquarters at the Third Naval dis
trict, $50 Broadway, New York city. a
detail officer. He had charge Of the as
signment and transfer OF certain classe
OF enlisted personnel OF the naval re
serve force. He also made recommends
ton to the enrolling officers as to wha
persons should be enrolled and the wor
which should be assigned TO them.
ut is believed that Lieut.. Ellert RI
ceived approximately $50, 900 in additio
TO large number of presents of variou
kinds and considera BILE high priced er
tertainment The money came to hi
in amounts ranging ffom $50 to $500.
Chief Boatswaln Lloyd G. Casey. a
an executive officer, made recommends
tions on the application OF members {
the naval reserve force for relief frol
active duty. The evidence shows thf
he received money to the, AMOUNT {
5000; also some valuable presents wei
taken for placing several enlisted me
on shore duty He also received frol
an enlisted man 5000 for early rell,
from active duty"