The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-30
HAZiNG is COM MENDABLE
This idea of the Cadets Prevents Its
Suppression.
so SAYS coNNANDANT AT WEST POINT
The Superintendent Shows Letters He Has
Written the War Department in His Ef-
fort TO Abolish Brutality and
Secret 0urages.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press)
West Point, n Y, Dec 29.-The inves-
tigation of the charges of brutal hazing
arising out of the death of former Cadet
Oscar l.. Booz, which has been in progress
in a court of inquiry appointed by the
Secretary of War, with some inter
mission for the last two weeks, was con-
cluded at West Point Military Academy
this afternoon The court left for Cover
nors Island tonight and on Monday they
will examine the mass of evidence which
they have listened to.
Lieut-Co Otto l.. Balm. commandant at
the United States Military Academy was
the first witness called TO the stand today
to testify before the court of inquiry APP
pointed to investigate the allegations of
brutal hazing of cadets. Colonel Helm
produced the superntendent's sick re-
ports which showed that Cadet Booz had
only reported sick once while he was
at the academy
The records made it clear that Booz had
never been absent from breakfast, din
ner or supper while he was at West Point
An extract from the records was read
by the witness who said Cadet BooZ had
availed himself OF the Saturday evening
privileges of going anywhere within the
reservation on Saturday August 9Th the
day of the Booz- Keller fight. Booz re-
ported his going away at 1858 p. m. and
his returning at 3:1S p. IN. In reply 10
General CTous the witness said that III
the summer of 1899 through anonymous
letters the brutal hazing of Cadets Mac
Arthur and Haskell came to the knowledge
of the academy officials. An investigation
was Immediately ordered. but no informa7
tion as to the facts could be elected from
any of those examined among whom were
Macarthur and Haskell The regula tions
prohibiting haZing provided punishment
for hazors and haZed alike. q
In telling of the agreement made by
the fourth class men in 1899, among whom
were Cadets Macarthur and Grant, not TO
submit TO hazing. Colonel Helm said:
Il called the class together Git was a
very large One) an explained to them
the rules and regulations prohibiting haZ-
ing. ! told them if they would agree not
TO submit to hazing and promise not TO
haze anyone themselves, they would rid
the academy of foul blot on its reputa-
tion. Soon afterwards they appealed to
me to be released from this agreement
but / refused.
Il also heard continued the witness,
that candidates preparing at Highland
Falls were being hazed, and | made an
inestigation, the outcome of which was
the severe Furnishing of the guilty cadets
Speaking generally of hazing, Colonel
Helm said;
"Hazing is traditional and I am sorry
to say is thought by persons inside as
we'll as outside of the academy, to be
commendable and as long as students
hear it 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 out
of fourth class men and subsequent fstie
encounters?" asked General Clous.
why, | consider that form of hazing,
and as long as the cadets don't live up
to the agreement not to subject to hazing
and the upper class do not cease inter
fering with them it would be impossible
to suppress it,
Former Cadet Smith, of Carbondale,
Ills, testified to seeing Booz, on one occa-
sion holding out dumb bells and doing
wooden willies. He was exercised almost
daily.
Cadets Mayer and Nelly were exercised
frequently.
Cadet Truman w. Carruthera, of Illi-
nois, the next witness said he was called
out for disobeying upper classmen and
general freshness" His opponent was Mr..
Shannon of the present second class.
What was the result?"
Il got knocked out, sir"
did you receive any injuries?" en-
quired General Clous
Yes, sir, ! had an abrasion On the
forehead and my jaw was badly broken. .
did you go to the hospital?"
Yes, sir; | was there just two weeks -
WAS Shannon a good man?"
Eyes, sir, l thought So replied the
witness. who laughed as he answered. He
was allowed to go then.
Colonel A. l.. Mills, superintendent of
the academy, was then sent for and after
few minutes delay he came into court
and was sworn.
He submitted many reports and ex-
tracts regarding the regulations prohib-
iting hazing and the measures adopted
by the authorities to abolish several
forms which existed at the post He
also submitted long lists of cadets who
were summarily punished for violations
for these regulations.
The superintendent said he did not
consider hracing injurious. but ii causes
physical pain.
For Che protection Of the fourth class