The sun., 1900-12-31
THE Booz INQUIRY.
Hazing investigation Ended without
Any Sensational Features.


West Point, N. Y, Dec. 30.-The inves
tigation of the charges of brutal hazina
arising out of the death of former Cadet
Oscar L. Booz which court of inquiry
appointed by the secretary of war has
been in progress, with some intermission,
for the last two weeks was concluded at
the West Point Military academy Satur-
day afternoon.
The military court of inquiry, compos-
| ed of Generals Brooke, Bates and Clous,
] together with Captain Dean, the recorder
of the court left for Governors Island,
and there they will examine the mass of
evidence which they have listened to dur
ing the several sessions of the court and
except something unforeseen occurs will
make report to the war department at
Washington very soon. While the court
of inquiry has been an open one since 1t
began taking testimony, the coming ses-
sion will be executive and of no public
interest.
Sensational developments were looked
for ut the last morning and afternoon ses-
sions of the court in the academical build
ing. here. A former cadet named Smith
of Carbondale, Ills, was supposed to be
: full of information as to the hazing prac-
ticed at the academy for two years past,
expected sensation were very much dis
appointed. Cadet Truman W. Carrithers
of Illinois told the court of a fight he had
e had with Cadet James Shannon of Min
nesota during the encampment of lS99
7 Carrithers seemed to treat the matter as
IL huge Joke notwithstanding the fact that
he had his Jaw broken and was knocked
I out in the fight. Carrithers in reply t.
> questions from the different members OF
0 the court said that he had been called oui
: as a fourth class man on account of his
refusing to obey the orders of upper elias:
men, and he accused himself of beint
/, rather too fresh.
d Superintendent Mills and Commandan
e of Cadets Helm We're the only other wit
ir nesses examined, and they produced 10
1t of extracts from records of the academ.
.e as to the efforts made by the authorize
it to abolish hazing of every variety in tn
sr institution. In reference to the death o
s former Cadet Booz the records showe
[e that he had resigned on account of trou
Of BILE with his eyes. that his fathers sane
f. ton in writing accompanied the youn
ID fellows resignation and that the Yves
It. Point authorities and the war department
ne ut Washington had never yet been not
fed by the parents of BooZ of the allege
IL injuries received by him and that ther
ut was no complaint on record either
" West Point or in Washington from til
IL, former cadet himself or his parents
he reference to his alleged i'll treatment du
lis ing his brief career mt the Military aca'
lis envy. The records also show that Boo
attended the mess hall regularly ever
ie- day during his stay at West Point m
ite that he did not miss one meal during thi
nd time. AS to his being sick, the recort
he prove that he had only reported sick
he one occasion from an acute attack
lat diarrhea, and on that occasion he was e
ce, cused from one drill.
ers Superintendent Mills as well as Coz
EN- mandant Helm told the court that viii
ief human nature remained as it Is hazil
the would continue to exist, but they hop
der that with increased vigilance on the pa
red of the authorities and the cooperate
ere of the cadets themselves hazing wou
co. never again reach a severe or brutal sta
Ugh in the Military academy at West Point