The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-12
Messrs. Marsh, Wanger, smith, DriEss
and Clayton 10 Inquire Into
Methods mt West Point.
REVENUE REDUCTION BILL
DISCUSSION BEGUN BY CHAIRMAN
PAYNE AND MIR. SWANSON.
Forty-Ffve Special Pension Bills
"Railroaded" i'm the senate-speech
Against the Subsidy Iii.
WASHINGTON. Dec. r.-rhs debate on

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The debate on
the wax revenue reduction bill opened in
the House to-day. Mr.. Payne, OF New
York, chairman Of the ways and means
committee, spoke on behalf or the ma
Jority, and Mr.. Swanson, OF Virginia. on
behalf OF the minority. The House ad-
Journed early TO permit the hall TO De
decorated for the exercises in connection
with the centennial celebration tomorrow
Before the war revenue reduction bill was
taken up resolution was adopted for ths
appointment OF a special committee OF
five members to investigate the death or
Oscar L. Booz, OF Bristol, Pa, who died
recently, IL is alleged. result OF haz-
ing received while cadet at West Point.
This course was taken over the head or the
military committee, which reported i'm
favor Of allowing the War Department to
conduct the inquiry. When the House met
Mr. Hull, chairman of the committee on
military affairs. reported back from that
committee a substitute for the Drigss
resolution for an investigation OF the al
legged hazing OF young Booz. The subst-
tute follows:
whereas, 1t is alleged in the newspapers
that Oscar l.. Booz. OF Bristol. Pa, for
merry a cadet at the Military Academy
at West Point died at his nome from
what is purported to be the result or haz-
ing, inflicted on him by certain unknown
caaets OF the said Military Academy, and.
Whereas. The secretary OF war Is now
making investigation OF the facts,
Resolved, nat said secretary be re-
quested 10 report the result or such IN
yestigation TO the House OK Representa-
tNes, together with such Recommendations
he may see ht TO make
The report OF Secretary Root together
with that of Superintendent Mills, Is at
tached to the resolution. The presentation
of the resolution and the reading OF tho
reports aroused great interest in the
House.
Mr.. briggs. OF New York. the author OF
the original resolution, protested vigorous
ly against the adoption or the substitute
resolution, as it did not include provision
for an investigation OF the general sub
ject OF hazing at West Point with view
to putting a permanent stop TO the prac-
tees lie declared the practice of infam-
ously hazing ''plebs'' at West Point was
notorious Mr.. briggs declared that he
would be in favor Of abonshing the Acsd-
emy If these brutal practices could not be
stopped. GApplause.l
MR. WANGER's SPEECH.
Mr. wanger. of Pennsylvania. who ap-
pointed Cadet Booz. spoke in favor of a
congressional investigation. He said he did
not presume to know the exact facts. but
reputable newspapers had made statements
relative TO the case which had profoundly
moved the people of the country. The gross
outrages known TO have been committed
at the academy in the past, he said, had
aroused the conviction that the officers of
the academy and OF the army were so Jeal-
Gus of the fair name or the academy that
they guarded IL as indiscreetly as the Of
fcers OF France did in the Dreyfus case.
He was not opposed to receiving any infor-
nation the secretary Of war had on the
subject, or to the proposed inquiry by the
War Department, bat he insisted that only
a congressional inquiry would satisfy the
country. Such an investigation would bring
out the facts and lead to action which
would forever prevent cadets from becom-
ing the victims OF hazing In the future. Mr..
wanger said at the proper time he would
offer a substitute for the committees rese-
luton. providing for an investigation by a
special committee OF ave members OF the
House, who should have the power 10 send
for persons and papers, and. IL necessary.
proceed 10 NeSl lOiIils duu lildl the CDfu-
rnittee should report within sixty days.
After further debate Mr.. Wangers reso-
luton for special committee OF five TO in
vestigate the case was adopted without d.
vision.
Consideration of the bill for the reduction
of the war taxes was then begun. Mr..
Payne. chairman of the committee on ways
and means. opening the debate Mr.. Payne
said that in reporting the pending bin the
committee felt as though it had gone 10 the
furthest limit I'm the amount OF reduction.
with due regard to preventing deficits The
s65 100000 remaining after the reduction
proposed by the committee took effect
would not equal the extraordinary ex-
penses to follow result OF the
Spanish war. Among such expenses was
the interest on the bonds issued TO prose-
cute the war, amounting 10 i've millions; the
increased army, which both sides admit
should amount to 10000 men, for the next
two or three years. This increase In cx-
penditure would amount at least To ssOOo.-
co., The increase in naval expenditures for
equipment. together with the pensions
growing out of the late war. would add 10
our expenditures ten millions more.
while there is no reason for any do
nestle causes to spprehend any disaster TO
business during the next few years." said
he. yet there Is a possibility OF foreign
complications which might have that re-
suit or course. depression In business
would mean loss OF revenue A large por-
tion of our importations on which tarin
duties are paid Is OF goods going directly
into the manufacture Of articles. both for
our domestic ana foreign trade. Anything