The men who were fleeced and had their small pay taken from them month
after month, became reckless. Some ended as suicides. Hundreds became
unruly and were subjected to guard-house sentences. They deserted in
their despair. The conditions in the navy were even worse. Scores of
the battleship crews would be in irons at a time.
To the honor of the service, it was found that no officers had ever
participated in the corrupting vocation. It was the rank and file
who "fell for it," as the gamblers said. They became either tools or
victims, to the extent, it was estimated, of 60 per cent.