Evening star., 1923-02-20
NAVY YARD ROBBED
Of RADIO MATERIAL
WORTH THOUSANDS
Arrest of Two Civilians Re.
veaIs Charges of Wide
spread Stealing.

Thefts of thousands of dollars
worth of property from the Washing
ton navy yard. principally radio
equipment, out Of which 1t was said
was built some of the finest amateur
receiving sets in use in this city. have
been disclosed by an investigation at
the local yard. which, UP to date. has
resulted in the arrest Of two civil
ians. Information obtained from an
investigation made, 1t was said. dis
closed that much Of the material was
used in making radio sets for naval
officers, both on duty at the Washing
ton navy yard and the Navy Depart
ment, and this feature of the investi-
CATION, it is charged. has led to ef-
forts to prevent information con-
cerning the investigation leaking out
into public channels.
Chauffeur Under Arrest.
Marion r. Frazier, 2ss Kentucky
avenue southeast. said to be an EN-.
ploye of the radio test shop at the
navy yard. and Charles H. Southard
IS K street northeast, chauffeur at
the navy yard. have been taken into
custody by Detectives c. G. Wise and
H. M. Hilldrup of police precinct No
s, and are booked at that station on
a charge of larceny from the United
States. Both men have been released
on bonds of $1,000 each, according to
Assistant United States Attorney
Given, to answer to the charge.
Rear Admiral John H. Dayton, COM
mandant Of the navy yard, when in
formed today that information concern.
ing the thefts and investigation had
leaked out refused to discuss the mat.
had been sent to the judge advocate
general Of the Navy. He would not say
what the recommendations Of the board
were.
Inventory Shows Missing Stock.
1t was learned from sources consid.
cred reliable that when the first reports
Of the thefts were made known to navy
tion and caused an inventory Of the
stock of the yard to be made, and this
it is reported, disclosed several thou.
| sands of dollars worth Of equipment was
missing.
There followed a thorough investi.
cation by naval intelligence officers
operatives of the bureau of investi.
cation Of the Department Of Justice
and the local police, which involved
shadowing certain employees of the
yard and the tapping or telephone
circuits leading into and out of the
yard.
1t came to the attention of the DO.
| lice when the arrests were made, IL
| fact the boast was made to them, Il
| was said by the police, that when of
| fcials of the yard were apprised OF
what was declared to be fact thai
high ranking officers of the Navy wer,
using some of the missing equipment
that the matter would be suppressed
| It is perhaps a coincidence. it wa.
| pointed out, that since the arrest o.
| the two men several continuances o.
| the case has been requested on behal1
of the navy yard officials, and the
| civil prosecuting authorities ar,
merely sitting tight, awaiting further
! reports from the Navy Department
and the navy yard.
Only Few Coils OF Wire.
When the arrests were made tn,
| home of Frazer was searched in com
| pliance with a search warrant. but 4
was stated that only a few coils o
| wire and few rolls of betting wer,
| found in the home. These are beinf
held by the government as evidenc,
until such a time as the navy yart
! officials indicate they are ready to e,
ahead with the case.
1t Is being handled at their direc
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