New-York tribune., 1900-12-30
CLOSING THE RooZINQUIRY
GOVERNORS ISLAND TO BE WIS.
TIED
ACADEMY, DEPREcATEs HAZING-
CADETS TESTIFY

West Point N 4, Dec. 29.-The Military
court OF Inquiry which has been investigating
the charges Of brutal hazing at the West Point
Academy adjourned at p. m. to-day. TO meet
at 10 a. m on Monday on Governors Island.
Some Of the cadets who were examined YES
,erday gave evidence which showed concIusively
that within the last two years there were in
stances OF men being so severely hazed that
they tainted from exhaustive exercising. Ac-
cording % several witnesses when hazing was
carried 20 a point where cadet was driven 20
the limit OF his endurance the ordeals became
brutal
When the court was called TO order this morn
ing Leuteuant-ColOnel Otto L Helm com
rlsndant OF the cadets. resumed his testimony
where he left of at adjournment last evening
he produced the superintendents sick reports
which showed that Cadet Booz had reported
sick only once while he at the academy.
,ss was excused on that occasion. from one drill
as he was suffering from acute attack OF
siarrhoea. The records made it clear that Booz
had never been absent from breakfast, dinner
or supper while he was a cadet
An extract from the records was read by the
witness, who said that Booz had availed himself
of the Saturday evening privileges OF going
anywhere within the reservation on Saturday,
August 6. the day Of the Booz- Keller fight Booz
reported HIS going away at 1:5S p. m and his
returning at 3:1s p. m.
In reply 70 General C1ous the witness said
that in the summer OF 1S99 through anonymous
letters. the brutal hazing OF Cadets Macarthur
and Haskell came 20 the knowledge Of the
academy officials. An investigation was i'm
InedateIy ordered but information as 10 the
facts could be ELECTED from any Of those ex-
anined. among whom were Macarthur and
Haskell. The regulations prohibiting hazng
provided punishment for hazers and hazed
alike
GUILTY CADETS PUNISHED
In telling Of the agreement made by the
fourth class men IN 1899. among whom were
Cadets Macarthur and Grant, not to submit 20
hazing. Colonel HEN said:
y called the class together-it was a very
large one-and explained to them the rules and
regulations prohibiting hazing. I told them
that IL they would agree not 70 submit to hazing
and promise not 20 haze any one themselves
they would rid the academy Of a foul blot on Its
reputation. Soon afterwsrd they appealed to
me to be released from this agreement, but
refused I also heard that candidates prepar-
ing at Highland Falls were being hazed, and
I made an investigation. the outcome OF which
was the severe punishment Of the guilty
dets'
The remainder Of the commandments testi-
mony was mainly an explanation OF the vigfiant
actions Of the authorities and the measures
envy The punishments were increased and the
number OF cadets found guilty Of violations Of
the regulations in 1899 was greatly IN excess Of
the previous year. Speaking generally OF hazing
Colonel Helm said: 'Hazing is traditional, and
am sorry TO say is thought by persons inside as
we'll as outside Of the academy 70 be commend
able and as long as students hear 1t spoken of
IN this way it viii be impossible for the aHthor1-
ties 20 stamp II out" -.--- --t
he ~
stamp out the calling out Of fourth class men
and subsequent hstic encounters" asked Gen
eral Clous.
why, consider that form Of hazing. and as
long as the cadets DO not live up 20 the agree
rnent not 20 submit TO hazing and the upper
class men do not cease interfering with them, It
VIII be Impossible 10 suppress it."
During the examination Of Colonel Hem quite
q large number Of women were accommodated
with seats in the courtroom and the gallery.
Among them were Mrs. Grant and Mrs. Mac
Arthur.
After brief adjournment former Cadet Smith,
OF Carbondale, H., was called and sworn. In re-
ply 10 General Clous he said;
aCne night seven Of as were called to ex-Cadet
Igarlee's tent 10 be exercised. Booz was one OF
The psrty ] cannot remember any one having
tainted 1 myself very much fatigued' but
NOT 70 the point of exhaustion. cannot re-
f1r
present and taking part in the hazing. 1 was
exercised more severely than many men in nay
class and have no recollection Of seeing Booz
exhausted. These gatherings Of men for hazing
we're called 'soirees.'
DO you recall any other time that Cadet Booz
was hazed2"
Yes I remember seeing him holding out
dunbbeIs and doing wooden wiies. There
were several Of US there, but none were ex-
haurted. We were exercised almost daily.
Cadets Meyer and Nelly exercised me ire
quentiy"
N THE HOSPITAL WITH A BROKEN JAW
Cadet Truman W Carrithers. Of Illinois. was
the next witness.
Did YOU ever engage in a istic contest here
asked General CloUs.
Yes sir
Were you called out?'
Yes, sir
For what reason?"
For disobeying upper class men and general
freshness"
Who Was your opponentY'
MT Shannon Of the present second class.
what was the result?'
y got knocked out, sir"
Did YOU receive any injuries?
Yes. sir. ] had an abrasion on the forehead
and my Jaw was broken.
Did you go 10 hospital2'
Yes. sir. was there just t7Fo weeks
Was Shannon a good manE
Yes str. 7 thought So" replied the witness
who laughed ae he answered. He was allowed
10 go then.
C-olonel A L. Mills superintendent OF the
s.Sa,,., s,,t,,,t+.ed many reports and extracts