Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-24
LADIES' GOODS.
UNDERWRITERS.
BOOB HIS SPECIAL DUTY MAN.
Former Cadet Sheldon Tells of Yves
Point Practices.

Point PRACTICES.
Former Cadet Rowland F. Sheldon was
examined at length yesterday by the House
committee engaged in investigating West
Point hazing practices
Sheldon said he entered West Point in
June, '95 and remained three and one-half
years. In the summer of 81 he was drill
master, and then met Booz. who was a
new cadet. Booz was afterward allotted
to him as special duty man." according to
a custom.
When asked whether the academy rules
did not forbid this service, the witness said
he had never required any mental service
of Booz or anything to demean him. Shell
don said he did not believe in such
vices and did not require it. At most BooZ
had been required to set out refreshments
at tent spread. Booz did not look strong
Well He lacked vitality and seldom
looked one in the eye.
Were lower class men allowed 10 look
upper class men in the eye?'
at was CUSTOM" said the witness, "for
upper class men not to permit lower class
to look them in the face. But / con-
Sidered this absurd and never observed it.
He recalled nothing Of the haZing of
Booz, of his fight or his taking tobasco
sauce. The witness did not retain Boozr a
special service man. very long. He had
exercised fourth-class men, but did not
remember Exercising Booz. The only
Booz's name, as witness had heard him told
to blow the foam off himself Booz had
obeyed their orders, Stimulating. the blowing
of foam off his shoulders.
When asked as to various hazings. Shell
don said he knew little nothing of these
cases, as he did not approve of hazng, and
therefore saw little of 1t. Booz was I'M
popular, he said, because he was shiftless
and the expression of his face was surly.
His character was all right, the witness
said.
Messrs. Wanger, briggs. Clayton ami
others on the committee cross-examined the
witness at length. He stated frankly the
circumstances of his own leaving the acad
envy, which, however, developed no con-
nection with the case. Although he had
seen no severe cases of haZing, he had
heard of some cases, those of Cadets Hav-
ley and Dean probably being the most
we're.
To Chairman Dick the witness said the
service of a "special-duty man. included
making beds sweeping out, preparing the
tent for inspection, preparing refreshments,
cleaning buttons. etc. 1t did not include
backing boots. which the witness consd-
cred mental. The practice had been much
limited of late years.
WAS Booz retiring in nature?" asked
Mr.. Dick.
Certainly, very retiring-he was a lower
class man." answered the witness.
Mr.. Dick also brought out that the alter
natives presented to an offending lower
class man were to submit to hazing, fight,
be cut by the corps. Inc Witness Sdlu
he did not know Booz had been cut for
failing to fight to a finish.
The witness related one incident Of the
serving of tobasco sauce, several drops be-
ing put on bread. Cadet Ray was severely
hazed in '95. The witness had been re-
uuired to do foot balls" eagles" hanging
on stretchers, etc. These had subjected
him to extreme fatigue, particularly the
eagles" but never to the point of faint
ing.
When closely questioned, he said Cadet
Sealer was considered as being severe
hazer About hundred eagles were re-
orired of an evening of a lower class man,
and about thirty wooden willies." The wit
ness described these processes, which have
heretofore been explained. Sitting on
bayonet and eating soap were other forms
of exercise mentioned by the witness. Eat
ing soap was not considered hazing. as 1t
was not severe, the witness said. 1t was
administered because of foul language.
Chewing the wooden frame of stretcher,
turtles" chow-choWs, ostrich and large
number Of other forms of haZing were gone
over The lower class man looked tired and
bored after being hazed. 1t was against the
code to look sullen.
Sheldon said he had been haZed for look
ing at an upper class man, also for being
slow He thought it did him good to be
hazed for being slow, as it made him quick
He submitted because he was one against
400 and because it was rule of the army
that the inferior was subordinate to the
superior.
Chairman Dick and the witness argued at
some length as to what. constituted in
feriority."