New-York tribune., 1901-01-24
DETAILS OF WEST POINT HAzTNG
SHELDON WHO HAD BOoZ AS
SPECIAL, DUTY MAN

Washington Jan 2S-The Congress Committee
which is investigating the hazing Of Cadet Booz re-
sun1ed the taking of testimony to-day for the pur-
pose of clearing up remaining points. The
committee assembled in the room Of the Committee
on Banking and Currency. all the members and
many spectators being present.
Former Cadet Rowland F. Sheldon was examined
Z considerable length He entered West Point in
June. 1925. and remained three and one-half years
In the summer of 1897 he drillmaster. and then
met Booz. who cadet. Booz after
ward allotted 10 him as special duty man. accord
ing a custom. When asked whether the Acad-
emy rules did forbid this service, the witness
said he had never required any menial service of
Booz or anything to demean him. Sheldon said he
did not believe in such service and did not require
It. At most Booz had been required to set out re-
freshments ar a tent spread. Booz did not look
strong we'll He lacked vitality and seldom
looked one in the eye.
Were lower class men allowed 10 look upper
class men In the eye?'
1T a custom" said the witness. for upper
class men not 70 permit lower class men TO look
them in the face. But considered this absurd and
never observed it
He recalled nothing Of the hazing OF Booz or Of
his fight or his taking tabasco sauce. The witness
did not retain Booz special service man long
He had exercised fourth class men, but did not
remember exercising Booz. The only thing he
recalled in connection with Booz's name as the
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
to various hazings. Sheldon said he knew little
nothing of these cases. he did not approve
OF hsztng and therefore saw little of il. Booz was
unpopular. he said, but he was shiftless and the
expression OF his face surly. His character
was all right. the witness said.
Messrs Wanger, Griggs, Clayton and others on
the committee cross-examined the witness at
length he stated frankly the circumstances of
his own leaving the Academy. which, however de-
veloped no connection with the case. Although he
of some cases those of cadets Hawev and bsIn
probably being the most severe he had heard of.
& special duty man included making beds sweep
ing preparing the for inspection. prerar-
include biacking boots. Which the witness consd-
cred menial The practice has been much limited
Was BooS retiring in nature?' asked Mr. Dick
man" answered the cadet
Mr.. Dick also brought out that the alternatives
fight or be cut by the corps. The witness said he
did not know BoOz had been cut for failing to tight
Witness related one incident of the serving of
Cadet Ray was severely hazed in 1895. The wit
ness had been required TO do footballs" eagles
extreme fatigue. particularly the eagles" but
toned he said Cadet sealer was considered as be-
ing a severe hazer About a hundred eagles
and about thirty wooden willies" The witness
described these on Wha hsye @
soap were other of exercise mentioned bv the
e was En5pE nat Was %esa ssS hazn
administered because of foul language. Chewing
the wooden frame of a stretcher. turtles" Chow
chows," ostrich and large number of other
forms of hazng were gone over. The lower class
man looked tired and bored after being hazed IL
was against the code TO look sullen.
Sheldon said he had been hazed for looking at an
upper class man, also for being slow He thouehf
IL did him good he hazed for being SLOW as If
made him quick He submitted because he was
one against four hundred. and because n was a
rule OF the Army that the inferior was suhordi-
nate the superior. Chairman Dick and the wit
ness argued at some length to what constituted
'inferiorty"
This closed Sheldon's testimony and tho baarpe
went until tomorrow at 10 a m
of Interest to