ABSTRACT

The naval court of inquiry convening at Newport the third week in January 1920 had been assigned to investigate the government’s pursuit of homosexuals and alleviate growing public concern about the Rhode Island sex scandal. Prompted by a letter of complaint addressed to the President of the United States, it had been called into existence by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels. Here was the chance for the navy to demonstrate seriousness about getting to the bottom of the controversy and punishing anyone responsible for wrongdoing.