The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-12

his stay at the Academy.
I'm no statement have I been able to
obtain the slightest foundation for the
many charges printed in the press to the
effect that .tabasco sauce or other liquid
was poured down Cadet Booz's threat CT
otherwise given to him in quantity by any
cadet. l believe the charge has its origin
in instances that have occurred at meals
in the cadet mess hall when cadets have
invited new cadets ignorant Of the nature
Of a pepper sauce sometimes used on their
| mess tables, to put drop or two on their
| tongues. Such action has at no time been
| q regular practice or custom and 1t 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, and was made by them to
suffer ridicule and persecution on account
OF his religious belief are denied by all
cadets, many of whom are men Of strong
| religious convictions and members of the
Cadet Young Mems Christian Association,
a hOurishing organization OF large men,
bership and strong influence for good in
the corps of cadets.
| For the correct information Of persons
not familiar with the conditions at the
| Academy, it 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-Cadet Booz engaged,
Is given on account of the untrue state
ments so widely circulated in the press,
and that the fight mentioned was, OF
| course, not engaged in with the knowledge
| or countenance OF the authorities then in
control at the Academy. Such encounters
| are engaged In at times secretly by cadets
| and always have been, but it is fair to say
| that they are in no way common. and that
thnNg boil
| qucnt than similar affairs are among any
large body of boys and young men assem-
bled together in close association at any
place.
THE War Department is familiar with
| the very stringent enforcement Of the
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 at the
time of such affairs. even when the au-
thorities have reason to suspect that some
unauthorized affair has taken place.
in conclusion, and in view Of the wide
publicity given in this case by the press
to the scandalous charges against the MIL
itary Academy. recommend that rigid
Investigation Of the charges be ordered by
the War Department, the investigation to
cover the action taken BY the authorities
in suppressng hazing. and that the result
be given the widest possible publicity"
Secretary Roots Order.
The Clerk of the House also read the
order issued by Secretary Root, which fol-
lows:
"a board of officers, composed of Maj.
Gen. John r. Brooke, Col. George L. Gill
lespie, and Lieut.. Col. John w. ClOus, is
hereby convened to meet at West Point
on the 18th of the present month, or as
soon thereafter as practicable, to enquire
into, and report upon, the alleged treat
ment of former Cadet Oscar L. Booz at
the Military Academy, and upon the meas
ures taken to prevent such treatment OF
new cadets at the Academy, and the ex-
tent to which new cadets are now subject
to such treatment. The board will have
authority to visit such places as may be
necessary for complete ascertainment
Of the facts, including the home Of the
late Oscar l.. Booz."
The letter of Secretary Root to the
House Committee on Military Affairs, and
which was sent by Mr.. Hull to the Clerks
desk, follows:
81 return herewith House Resolution
No. 800, relating to certain alleged hazing
of former Cadet Oscar l.. Booz in the Mil
itary Academy at West Point, referred to
me today for remark.
''The newspaper articles, which sup
pose are referred to in the resolution, were |
Immediately, upon coming to the notice |
of the department, referred to the Super |
intendent Of the Military Academy who |
has already made and completed search |
ing investigation and has reported the re- |
suit to the department today. The report |
is transmitted herewith"
Representative briggs. author of the |
original resolution, said he was opposed |
to the committees substitute. For some /
reason he could not fathom the committee
had stricken OFF the concluding phrase oil
his resolution which was that the Secre-
tary of War should recommend to the
House what measures are necessary to Sc
cure stoppage OF the practice of hazing.
There had been many infamous cases of
hazing. he said and he believed that boys
going there for instruction should be as
safe from assault as they were in their
own homes. Mr.. briggs called attention
to the haZing of Cadet John c. Whitaker
in 1850. This made the subject of
Congressional enquiry, the report OF which
was signed by Senators Garland and John
F. Miller and Representative William Nc
Kinley, now President of the United
States.
That report stated that eff the suppress
sion of hazing at West Point were not to
be accomplished it becomes a matter de-
serving serious consideration whether or
not SucH II tOEeIHIIlGul !
not be abolished"
Mr. briggs said these we're his senti-
ments and if hazing could not be stopped
he would go so far as to vote for the abo-
liton OF the Academy. Cadets who en-
gagged in the hazing of Booz, Mr.. briggs
said in conclusion, were not fit to become
officers of the United States Army.
Mr.. WnnEer's Amendment.
Mr.. Wanger of Pennsylvania. who had
said that he was afraid officers of the
Academy were SO jealous of the reputa
tion of the institution as to protect 1t as
zealcusly and mayhap. as unwisely as the
French officers did that of the War Office
in the Dreyfus case. He gave notice that
he would offer an amendment to the COM
mittee's substitute. providing for a Con-
gressiohal Investigation. He read lei
ter from the burgess ca Bristol, Pa. tes-
tifying to the good record and reputation
Of Booz and expressing the hope that a
rigid investigation would be made Of the
charges.
Mr.. Slayden said that the hazing in
1ulged in at West Point was largely HARM
less fun with the new cadets. Mr.. briggs,
he said. was particularly unfortunate in
his citation of the Whitaker case. That ,
officer had subsequently been dismissed
from the army under the most serious ,
charges.
Mr.. Hopkins asked Mr.. Slayden that II
CEII DDt- nj CAnl.IE 1T