Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-29
Testimony Of Lieut., Colonel Helm in
Booz Inquiry.
'0MMANDAET At WEST POINT
He Says the Custom is Too Deep
|y Rooted.
U PHI ED BY ERS

WEST POINT, NY, December 29.-Lieut.
Col. Otto L. Helm, commandant at the
United States Military Academy, was the
first witness called to the stand today to
testify before the court of inquiry appointed
to investigate the allegations of brutal haz-
ing of cadets. Col. Helm produced the
superintendent's sick reports, which showed
that Cadet Booz had only been reported sick
once While he was al the academy. He was
excused on that occasion from one drill, as
he was suffering from an acute attack Of
d!arrhcea. The records made 1t clear that
Booz had never been absent from break
fast. dinner or supper while he was cadet
at West Point.
An extract from the records was read by
the witness, who said Cadet Booz had
availed himself of the Saturday evening
privilege of going anywhere within the
reservation on Saturday, August 6, the day
of the BooZ-kel.er fight. BOoZ reported his
going away at :5S pm. and his returning
at 3:1S pm.
In reply to Gen. Clous the witness said
that in the summer of 1899, through anony-
nous letters, the brutal hazing Of Cadets
Macarthur and Haskell came to the
knowledge of the academy officials. An
investigation was Immediately ordered but
no information as to the facts could be
elected from any of those examined,
among whom Were Macarthur and Has
kel The regulations prohibiting hazng
provided punishment for haZerS and haZed
alike.
Agreement Regarding Haxins.
In telling of the agreement made by the
fourth class men in 1899. among whom
were Cadets Macarthur and Grant, not to
submit to haziEg. Col. Helm sad:
Il called the class together dt was a
very large ono and explained 10 thcm the
inns ,rnti s,vi,,
l told them if they would agree not 10 sub
NIT to haz-ng and promise not to haze any
one themselves, they would rid the
, aGemy of a foul hlot on its reputation.
Soon afterward they appealed to me to be
released from this agreement, but L re-
fused.
Il also heard" continued the witness,
that candidates preparing at High and
Fails were beng haZed, and | made an in
VestiGatlon, the outcome of which was the
severe Furnishing of the guilty cadets"
The remainder of the commanGants tes-
tmony was mainly an explanation of the
actions of the authorities and the mea Surcs
taken by them to suppress haZ.ng at The
academy. The punshments We're increased
and the NUMBER of cadets found guilty of
violations of the regulations in 1899 were
greatly in excess of the previous year.
Col. Helms View of the Practice.
Speaking generally of hazng, Col. Helm
said:
I1dHllIS Is u lIdultlOidl anu / am sorry 10
say is thought by persons inside as we'll
as outside of the academy to be commend
able. and as long as students hear a
spoken of in this way it will be impossible
for the authorities to stamp it out"
What methods do you think could be
used to stamp out the calling cut of fourth
class men and subsequent fistic encoun-
ters| asked General Clous.
why, I consider that a form OF hazing,
and as long as the cadets don't live up to
the agreement not to submit to haZing and
the upper class do not cease interfering
with them it will be impossible to suppress
it,"
Former Cadet Smith of Carbondale, ILL.,,
testified that he was admitted to the acad-
emy in June, 1893. and discharged in Janu-
airy, 1889
One night seven of the witness class.
including Booz, We're called to ex-Cadet
Hairless tent to be exercised. Witness did
not remember any one having tainted; he
himself was very much fatgued, but not
to the point of exhaustion. He did not re-
member the names of the cadets who took
part in the hazng. Witness remembered
seeing Booz. on another occasion. holding
out dumb bells and doing wooden willies.
I'VE were exercised almost daily" the wit
ness said cadets Meyer and Nelly exer-
cised me frequently
Boox Did Not Complain.
Did Cadet Booz ever complain to youy'
No, sir; he never complained of his
treatment"
Cadet Truman W. Carrothers of Illinois,
the next witness, came TO the academy in
July, 1899. He was called out for dis
obeying upper class men and general fresh
ness" he said. His opponent was Mr..
Shannon of the present second class.
"W hat was the resuit?'
Il got knocked out, SIR
Did you receive any injuries?" inquired
Gen. C.ous.
Yes. sir. 1 had an abrasion on the fore
head and my jaw was broken"
did you go to hospitai?'
Yes, sir. l was there just two weeks"
"Was Shannon a good MANI"
Yes, sir, l thought So" replied the wit
ness, who laughed as he answered. He
was allowed to go then.
First Lieut.. w. Rivers LIST Cavalry, ad-
jutant of the academy and custodian of the
records, was sworn He submitted an ab-
stract of the records which showed the
record of Cadet Booz during his stay al
West Point. This was ordered to be at
tached to the record.
Col. A. L. Mills, superintendent of the
academy. was then sent for, and after
few minutes delay he came into court and