New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-21
2More Arrests
In NavyC Craft;
Both Officers
Daniels Confers Over Tele.
phone With Admiral Ush-
er; Scandal Is Spreading
New Angle Is Found


telephone conference on graft and
bribery charges now pending against
naval officers in this district was held
last night between Secretary Daniels,
Rear Admiral Usher, commandant of
the New York district. and Major John
2 Muir, in charge of the investigating
work here No statement could be OBJ
+ained as to the result of the conversa-
lions. but sensational developments are
)ooked for to-day Men in a position
70 know declared that the whole thing
probably would be ripped wide open"
within very short time.
Meanwhile, late last night, two more
officers were placed under detention. The
greatest secrecy surrounded these ar
rests, but it is understood that one of
the men is q lieutenant commander, who
owns six automobiles, and the other
physician who occupied similar post
to that of Lieutenant Davis, the charges
against whom precipitated the present
Investigation.
The Scandal Spreads
At the same time the scope of the
inquiry branched out beyond the bound
aries of the Sd Naval District.
1t spread beyond the boundaries of
the Sd Naval District, into the navy
yards of Boston, Philadelphia and
Chicago. The most sensational ex-
pOsures in the navy's history are
promised before the inquiry is fin
shed.
Locally the new angles developed in
the case led into the supply depart
ment and the alleged Labor graft"
practised in factories producing cloth
ing for the navy on "cost-plus" basis
Many civilians are said to be impli-
Gated in these transactions.
Against civilians who may be found
guilty in this connection the special
staff from the Judge advocate gem
erals office which under direction of
Major John +. Muir, is conducting the
Investigation would have no power to
proceed, 1t was explained yesterday.
Cagey Will Prosecute
A full report of the Investigators
ildings is to be turned over to the
FEDERAL authorities, and United States
Attorney Francis G Caffey announced
last night that he would prosecute to
he full in the United States District
COrn here all civilians toward whom
suspicion points.
Neanwhile the identity of the mys-
ferrous "B J. E. whose initials on an
APPLICATION for entry into the navy arc
said to have acted as such a magic
charm on Lieutenant Benjamin S.
Davis, was for the first time made pub
he. He Is Junior Grade Lieutenant B.
}. kllert, of the Bureau OF Ratings.
The assignment Of men within the
| ID District was among Ellert's duties.
4 Prior TO his joining the Naval Reserves
] at the start of the war he had been in
/ me regular navy. 1t is said that he at
1 sne time served as woman to Rear Ad-
j ziral Usher, now commandant of the
4 g District, and that he enjoyed the
confidence of men high in the service
Inc theory is that the reliance
paced on his judgment by his superiors
ave Ebert largo opportunities. He Is
Granite Ststo.
The total number now, detained in
this district N connection Win the
Investigation IA said TO he fortv-seven
serty yeomen and seven officers
It was learned unon annarnntI,, re-
liable authority taat Cbief cox Cor1r,;s
sary Jones. assistant "a Cb;ef Poa4
1 sxain's Mat Tfo,,d csso,, -, 1D~.,
hose held. CASEY is the man men7
sioned in roo,,e,.S ~, ,,.;.N ,ila
psymerf - 80 en- t,I 400 WIN al, alleged
shant who ,,,,sb..l to ~, ~, ~ i" nv D.
cut Of The eec,.;,a rr. ~ t~p So L
srmistice W. signod ''''''-''''' e'S inc
The mn .''u
he gervi, o D. 49, ~ II,
you'd snon 80, any yet men tioned
iacreaxinoI,. = i" 0ne case became
sicisl re,-',.l ~ 7.'eV.'s yesteI1df' 40
,sned ''' '"i0 o'"io DC Cd
Rear Adro;rsl 1r.ho r.,a H.
euss the No.. III iUHou W oi'-
~Tbe ;1,.@'.....t az an.
On indanerd...'.s f,'1'm ~ eeins carried
~sben p'i'1SHe OF my ONCE ne Sald.
be- ,vs az me facts are in they viii
hsye - ei 10 me. men may
ssnno. 'd.osi.iHgS 10 say: III then l
sation 0'S0''so thc SUBJECT 'or publ
W
=, 'io'a'e ~ All Rlght.
~ Wi say, however, that the mo
5'e Oh the Third Naval District as a
NJ. ~aIe Is all right People should