Evening star., 1900-12-11
AN INQUIRY ORDERED
The House Directs an Investigation
of the B00z Case
REPORTS OF HAZING DISCUSSED
Credentials of Clark and MagInnis
Referred.
THE TAX REDUCTION BILL

When the House Of Representatives met
today Mr.. Hull, chairman of the committee
on military affairs, reported back from that
committee a substitute for the briggs reso-
luton for an investigation Of the alleged
"hazing'' Of Oscar L. Beoz at West Point
The substitute was as follows:
whereas it is alleged in the newspapers
that Oscar L. Booz of Bristol. Pa, formerly
a cadet at the United States Military Acad-
enly at West Point, died at his home from
injuries purporting to have been the result
Of hazing inflicted upon him by certain un-
known cadets of the said Military Acad-
emy; and
Whereas the Secretary of War is now
making investigation OF the facts:
"Resodved, That said Secretary be re-
quested to report the result of such investi-
cation to the House of Representatives. to-
gether with such recommendations as he
may fit 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 the reports of the Secretary Of
War and Colonel Mills aroused great inter-
est in the House.
Mr.. briggs IN. ", the author of the orig
inal resolution, protested vigorously against
the adoption of the substitute resolution as
it did not include provision for an investiga-
ton OF the general subject of hazing at
West Point with view to putting per-
manent stop to such practices. He de-
clared that the practice of UNANIMOUSLY haZ-
ing 'plebs'' at West Point was notorious
He cited the case of Whitaker, who was
hazed in 1850, and whose case led to a con-
gressional investigation. Mr.. briggs de-
clared that he would be in favor of abolish
ing the academy if these brutal practices
could not be stopped (applause).
Mr.. Wanger PaD, who appointed Cadet
Booz. spoke in favor of a congressional in
vestigation.
AllusiOn to the Dreyfus Case.
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 jealous of the fair name of
the academy that they guarded it indis-
creetly as the officers of France did in the
Dreyfus case. He was not opposed to re-
ceiving any information the Secretary of
War had on the subject to the proposed
inquiry by the War Department, but he in
sisted that only congressional inquiry
would satisfy the country. Such an inVeS-
tlgation would bring out the facts and lead
to action which would forever prevent ca
diets from becoming the victims of hazing
in the future.
would offer a substitute for the commit
tees resolution providing for an investiga-
ton by special committee of five mem
bers Of the House, who should have the
power to send for persons and papers, and
II necessary proceed to West Point and
that the committee should report within
sixt. days. Mr.. Wanger had read a letter
from AN official of Bristol Pa where Booz
ifioHf tn fha
yflGh standing, physically, mentally and
morally, which recited the charges of
brutal treatment and which called for an
Investigation "
Believed Reports Exasserated.g
Mr.. Slayden Texas), member of the
military committee. expressed the opinion
that the reports concerning hazing at West
Point had been grossly exaggerated He
said Mr.. briggs reference to the Whit
taker case had been unfortunate Whit
takers career after he left the academy
had shown him to be unworthy of cred
ence. He had been dismissed from the
army upon the most serious charges
Mr.. Clayton On. ", who was himself a
graduate of West Point. defended the Mill
tary Academy. He said there was no ne
cessity for bringing up the Dreyfus case
The record of the academy stood for itself
why not investigate them" asked Mr.
Wanger.
The academy fears no Investigation
replied Mr.. Clayton. THE son Of wash
erWoman and Of millionaire are on the
same footing when they enter the acad-
envy. From his personal experience, Mr..
Clayton said, he knew that the reports of
hazng were terribly exaggerated. The
sentiment of the cadets was against bru-
tality or doing anything unfair. Hazing as
1t was practiced years ago, he said, had
been stamped out.
Mr.. Hay (Va.) favored a congressional
investigation, not, he said. because he be-
lieved there was any ground for the
charges against the academy, but because
he believed an investigation would vindi-
cate the academy and the cadets.
In concluding the debate Mr. Hull said
he had little faith in congressional investi-
cations, that of the War Department, he
thought. would be much more searching.
1t was erroneous to believe that the army
was interested in shielding West Point and
he told what had been done in the last five
years to stop haZing.
'If the charges of hazing should he
proved" asked MIR. briggs, sis there any
law which could reach the cadets who nar-
ticipated?"
The gentleman can answer that question
as well as L." answered Mr.. Hull But If
proven. If the War Department does not
take steps to dismiss the guilty ones from
the academy, Congress will" (Applause)
Mr.. Wanger's resolution for a spa, lal
comnittee of live to investigate the case
was then adopted without division.
Tax Reduction Bill.
The House Immediately went int, com
mittee of the whole and took UP the COZ SIC
GRAFTON of the bill for the reduction O. The
war taxes. No arrangement abolr the
length OF general debate was made Mr..
Payne On. ", chairman of the committee
on ways and means. who had charge of the
bill, opened the debate.
THE SENATE.
When the Senate convened today Mr.. AL
len (Neb.), who had not been present dur
ing the present session, was in attendance.
wa Ind III