Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-17
I TRIALS OF A PLEB,
Childish Behavior Of Upper CIassmen
- --=-s4 at West Point. fr=as-..
From the New York Tirnas

Childish Behavior Of Upper CIassmen
.---=-s4 at West Point. -fr=ay-s.
From the New York Times
A visitor at West Point one afternoon
last week had an opportunity to see how
the cadets Of the United States Military
Academy were getting along under the new
conditions, with hazing and tormenting the
plebes forbidden. From remarks made by
both new students and old it was gathered
that. although the superintendent and
commandant had been exerting themselves
to prevent hazing and had succeeded so
far as fragrant infractions were concerned.
the plebes were subjected to many punish
ments under the guise OF army regulations.
I'VE have to do what they tell u.s." said a
plebe, or else We might as well leave the
academy and give up the idea of going into
the army. If We don't brace and do all the
rest or the unnecessary things we are or
dered to do the upper classmen get 1t in for
us. When they do that they can have us
reported Tor so many little violations or
pretended violations Of rules that We'll get
enough dement's in a few weeks to cause
our expulsion Any upper classman who
gets grudge against a plebe can ruin him
In this way But can't you keep from
violating rules in the least?" the plebe was
asked. Well, we are new here and there
are hundreds of minor things we have to
learn. Then, the old students report us for
things that they don't report each other
stance, they can report us for swinging our
arms too much and We get demerited. They
are allowed to swing their own arms as
much as they like"
While the plebe was talking two cadets
passed by. One of them was shown to be
an upper classman by the stripe on his
sleeve, and the other was a new man. The
formers arms dangled loosely, while the
latter held his in an unnaturally stiff posi-
ton by his side. Seer" said the plebe to
the visitor. IF that fellow swung them
the other one would say, Brace up, there
And IL the bracing wasn't done double
quick the man who gave the order
would go to some corporal and ask that
the disobedient plebe be reported for
dress except to deny the report absolutely,
in which case the whole body of upper
classmen would tryito fix him. They would
watch him for every little mistake and he
couldn't possibly keep from making enough
of them to get the expulsion number of de-
merits before long" If the upper classman
who is disobeyed is not so yindictive as to
want his victim actually dismissed but
only wishes to teach him his business"
there are ways to do this. Only few days
ago plebe was ordered to do something
ridiculous. He refused. Some personal
abuse was directed at him, and on the next
day he found that he had been put on the
punishment squad,sson the ground that he
needed extra dril exercises. He learned
clined to follow had had him put on the
extra duty, whichf practically took away
from him all his leisurectime In the after
Moons When plsbe wants to know any
thing about the regulations the only way
for him to learn Is to ask Questions He
must go up to an upper yclassman, according
to unwritten law, and say: IF you please,
sir. may ask question:" Should he for
get to get this permission or should he ask
his question without the formal introduce
ton, he gets no answer and Is sternly re-
buked-and maybe ordered to ''conflne your
conversation to your equals" To tease the
plebes the upper classmen are wont to ask
such questions as this: Say. mister, how
long will 1t be before you are alive" That
means how long will 1t be before the LIST of
June. on which date the newcomer will be-
gin to be counted as human being rather
than as plebe. Another, 1avorite inquiry
is: How many days, mister. before the
Annapolis gamesT If the plebe does not
answer these inquiries double quick he Is
reprimanded sternly
Each afternoon p1ebe Is expected to
leave the camp grounds and to go over to
the barracks for bath. When he starts
to do this he has to go to the cadet officer
OF the guard and report that he Is about to