The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-11

referred TO. 1 find that Cadet Booz fell
into the contempt OF his felloW-cadets
in consequence of report which gained
circulation among them that he had esn
guilty of aud untruth, and q feeling that
he hsE displayed but little spirit in his
fght. The origin of the former report
WAS as follows:
when Cadet Booz was on guard on Au-
gust 2 he was reported by the cadet cor
poral Of his relief for failing TO take his
post properly when posted as sen incl.
II written explanation to = imam
dant of cadets Cadet BoOZ deE.ed The cor
Fectness Of the report given him TIE ca
det corporal becoming aware OF this de-
rial. and finding ii to be false. consulted
the president of the first class as 10 the
best action to take in the matter II was
decided between them that instead Of re-
porting to the eommandant OF cadets that
Cadet Booz had told an uHtruth, which, il
found 20 be the case. would have led to
his dismissal he was 20 be adraea iShed
regarding his action and warned that
recurrence CT il would not be tolerated.
It was this question of Cadet Booz's We
racity which became known to the cadets,
with the result stated, as is always the
case in the eoFPs Of cadets in such mat
Iers. In consequence of this position with
older cadets, he was not hazed, interfered
with, or n4olesteG during the remainder Of
his stay at the Academy
IN no statement have I been able to
obtain the slightest foundation for the
many charges printed "a the press to the
effect that Tabasco sauce or other liquid
was poured down Cadet Booz's throat CT
otherwise given to him in quantity by any
cadet. I believe the charge has its origin
in instances that have occurred at meals
n the 5aas ness hall when cadets have
invited new cadets ignorant or the nature
Of a pepper sauce sometimes used on their
mess tables, to put a drop or two on their
tongues. Such action has at no time been
q regular practice or custom and it is too
much to believe that physical harm to any
cadet has ever resulted from the prank.
The various other charges to the ef-
feet that Cadet BooZ was called Bibles
by other cadets, a..d was made by them to
suffer ridicule and persecution on account
of his religious belief are denied BY al
cadets, many OF whom are men of strong
religious convictions and members Of the
Cadet oung Mems Christian Association.
fourishjng organization eff large mem
bership and strong influence for coed IN
the corps of cadets
For the correct information of persons
not familiar with the conditions at the
Academy, il ought to be here stated that
the full and free information given by all
cadets now who have any knowledge OF
the fight IN which eX-Cadst BO0z engaged,
IS given On account OF the untrue state
ments so widely circulated in the press.
and taat the fgat mentioned was OF
course, not engaged in with the knowledge
or eountenance OF the authorities then in
control at the Academy. Such encounters
are engaged in at times secretly by cadets
ard always have been. but It IS fair TO say
that they are in no way common, and that
they are believed to be much less fre-
duent than similar affairs are among any
large body of boys and young men assem-
bied together in cIoSe association at any
place
The War Department is familiar with
the very stringent enforcement of che
strict rules OF the Academy against haz-
ing new cadets in any manner. and with
the difficulties that have been encountered
in getting cadets TO tell anything az the
time of such affairs, even when the au-
thorities have reason 10 suspect that some
unauthorized affair has taken place.
In conclusion, and in view of the wide
publicity given IN this case by the press
10 the scandalous charges against Dc Mil
itaTy Academy, I recommend that rigid
investigation Of the charges be ordered By
the War Department. the invests CATION TO
cover the action taken by the authorities
in supprsssing hazing. and that the result
be given the widest possible publicity