Evening star., 1925-05-05
TRANSPORT LIQUOR
BLAME IS DENIED
Commander of Beaufort
Says He Was Free of
Responsibility in Case.
By the Associated Press.


NORFOLK, Va, May 5.--Comdr.
Douglas w. Fuller, on trial before a
naval court-martial on charges Of
negligence growing out of the trans
port Beaufort liquor inquiry, admitted
yesterday through counsel that liquor
had been placed on the ship some time
between January 80 and February "a,
transported to the United States and
some of 1t landed, but denied abso-
lutely that he was responsible for 1t.
The admission was made by Lieut..
Col. G. NJ. Kincade, Marine Corps.
spokesman for the defense. when
Comdr. Oscar Smith. judge advocate
of the court, moved that the board
adjourn to the vault to inspect the
more than 40 cases of liquor taken
from the transport in the raid at the
base February "a
We admit both the quality and
the quantity" Col. Kincade told the
court. We admit the liquor was
placed aboard, transported to the
United States and some Of it was land
ed. We admit everything except the
responsibility for it. We absolutely
deny that"
Charged With Negligence.
No liquor was found in Comdr Full.
ler's quarters. but he is charged with
negligence on three specifications:
First, that he did not issue and en-
force proper orders to prevent the
smuggling OF liquor aboard the Beau
fort; second, that he did not issue and
enforce proper regulations to prevent
the presence of liquor aboard, and
third that he did not issue and enforce
proper regulations to prevent the
landing of liquors into the United
States in violation of the orders of the
Secretary of the Navy, set forth in
regulations.
When court convened. Col. Kincade
offered an objection to the presence of
Capt. Frederick A. Traut commando mt
OF the naval training station, as a
member of the board on the grounds
that he had already formed an opinion.
Capt. Traut, who is senior member
of the board and it's president by di-
rection of the Secretary of the Navy,
replying. said he had no opinion based
on authentic information.
Defense Loses Point.
The objection was overruled by the
court, and then Col. Kincade objected
TO Col. H. c. Davis, comma ndant of
the Marine barracks, navy yard.
The objection is on the same
grounds of opinion formed" he said.
Col. Davis said at a luncheon some
time ago that the comma nding officer
was responsible.
Col. Davis explained that what he
said was contained in Navy regula-
tions-that is, that the commanding
officer was responsible for what went
on under his command, and not his
opinion. He denied that he had form
ed an opinion as to the guilt or inno-
cence of Comdr. Fuller.
Likewise, the objection was over
ruled, and the trial proceeded, with
Capt. Traut, Col. Davis and Comdrs.
E. c. Gudger, R. G. Heiner, 1. c.
Bogart and Bruce r. Ware making
up the court.
Pleads Not Guilty.
Comdr. Fuller pleaded not guilty,
and Capt. Smith was the first wit
ness called.
The assistant commandant testified
that he conducted the search of the
ship by direction of Rear Admiral
Roger Welles, commandant of The
fifth naval district, who gave the
orders in the presence of Comdr.
Fuller.
Il found intoxicating liquors aboard.
l found some in a car alongside the
Beaufort, belonging to Lieut.. Fred NJ.
Rohow; some floating in the water on
the starbOard side; some in DR.. Ro-
how's room; some in Chief Clerk ]. P.
Gallaghers room; some in Machinist
Frank NJ. Hendricks room, and some
In Lieut.. r. d. Hills Ur) room. There
was some in the coal bin and also in
the general storekeeper's storeroom, -
Me testified.
After the officer had been question
ed at length the court adjourned until
today.