Evening star., 1926-10-01
AUTOP[UNGE KILLS
COL. A. s. WILLIAMS,
ACCUSED by BUTLER
Marine Officer Drowned
When Car SWerves Into
San Francisco Bay.
CLOSED MACHINE: DROPS
INTO 80 FEET OF WATER
Had Been Court Martialed in
Spring for Drunkenness at
Party for General.

By The Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO. October 1.--Col.
Alexander S. Williams. In charge of
recruiting for the Marine Corps in the
Western district. who figured as the
defendan Mt in the famous cocktaii'
court martial at San Diego last April,
was drowned here early this morning
when a. closed ear he was driving
plunged into San Francisco Bay
Col. Williams body was taken to
the morgue, where 1t was identified
by Mrs. Williams. 1t had been pre-
Viously tentatively identified by Off
GERS, newspaper men and friends from
photographs, a signet ring and papers
in his wallet.
Mrs. Williams said that on leaving
home about pm. yesterday her hus-
band told her he was going TO the
bohemian Club with some friends tor
dinner. She said he telephoned her
at o'clock last night that he was
having a wonderful time and that he
would not be home until an early
hour in the morning.
Car Suddenly Swerved.
She said that when her husband was
out late he usually drove home by
way of the E,mbarcadero, as it was
well lighted and he was not we'll ac-
Quainted with the city'S 5t1eets. She
believes he must have lost control OF
the car or that his visioh was oh,
structed by something, causing the
car TO plunge into The bay.
The car was seen 10 plunge into the
bay by Frank Moore. a steward
aboard the steamer Admiral Peary,
and Joe Mcfarland. d Waterman at
4 bo Ia
from the street. they said. and plunge
across the wharf into the water. The
depth was 30 feet. Police were called
and the automobile was pulled Up with
graphing hooks.
Col Williams was transferred TO San
Francisco from San Diego iasI Spring
after he had been convicted of
drunkenness and conduct unbeCom.
Ing an officer" at a Navy court mar
tial
The charges were brought against
him by Brig. Gen. Smedley ID. Butler
as a result of alleged misconduct of
the colonel at a party at his nome
given In honor of Gen. Butler and at
a hotel later.
Gen. Butler had lust come 10 San
Diego from Philadelphi1, where he
had served as director of public safety.
Storm Center i'm Philadelphia.
In Philadelphia Gen. Butler was a
storm center as a result Of his artlVl-
ties against alleged violators OF the
prohibition law.
The trial AZ San Diego oCcaSloned
considerable aCrimony. Some wit
nessCs testified that they believed Col
Williams was i'll and not intoxicated,
as alleged. Gen. Butler maintained he
Violated no traditions as guest in
bringing the charges. and that ms
charges were not based on what Went
on At the Williams home, but on the
Coionels conduct later at hotel.
Gen Butler said that cocktails were
served at the party. but that he did
not partake of them. but sat on the
purCh while most of the drinking was
going on.
After conviction COL. Williams was
reduced several points in his ranking
and transferred to San Francisco
May % last where he was placed IN
charge Of marine recruiting in the
Western district Gen. Butler also
was transferred to san Francisco
later. Other cars have plunged into
the bav from the Embarcadero IN a
similar manner. and recently Mrs
Hazel Selhy lost her life in the same
way.