New-York tribune., 1901-01-21
DEATHS NOT FROM HAZING
SUCH A REPORT EXPECTED FROM CON
GRESS COMMITTEE.
ACTION OF CADETS CAUSES sURPRIsE-GEN-
ERAL DICK IN A SPEECH PRAISES
THE ACTION OF THE CORPS.

West Point, N. Y, Jan. 2O-The Congress
Committee left here to-day for Washington after
| having finished the mission of investigation at
the United States Military Academy. Before
their departure, however. through a voluntary
agreement of the cadets. hazing abolished
This voluntary agreement the result of a
meeting of the entire corps of cadets held in
Grant Hall last right, announced yesterday.
This action came 5 a surprise to the COM
mlttee, which consisted of General Dick, Of
Ohio Judge Smith. OF Iowa; Congressman Wan
ger. of Pennsylvania and Messrs Clayton and
briggs of Brooklyn All of the members of the
committee pleased TO learn that the cadets
had seen fit 10 anticipate the action of Congress
in wiping out practices of calling OUT and
hazng of fourth class men from the traditions
of the institution
1t nearly midnight when Colonel A. l..
Mills. the superintendent of the academy,
handed a copy Of the cadets resolution to Cen
eral Dick. When the other Congressman learned
the nature of it Mr.. briggs moved that Colonel
Mills should read it, and afterward it should he
added 10 the record. Cadets Bettison. Mahaffey,
Gray and Atkins. " no signed the document on
behalf of their respective classes. called
before the committee. The courtroom was
filled with Army officers and their wives and
daughters. and none of them had any idea OF
what was coming
ACTION OF CONGRESS- ANTICIPATED.
AS soon as Colonel Mills read the resolution
and ii was seen that the cadets had taken the
advice given by General Dick to Cadet Burnett
earlier in the day, to render the country and
the academy a great service by resolving there
and then that such serious charges should
ever again be laid at the doors of West Point
General Dick, addressing Colonel Mills and the
four cadets, said:
This action taken by the corps now at the Ma
uonal Military Academy will be received by the
country Wlth signs or appreciation and approba-
ton. What you did here to-day will mark an
in the history of all educational institutions in this
country Tor when hazing no longer hnds a place
in other educational institutions.
hundred ye5rs Of history has brought this in
the hearts of the American people What you
in the good i0 Opinion fhs M rGe t aS
for il. We know and appreciate that men VINO
serVe their Country TRs duty ard this sscraco
do not go nna2pre;iated among your fellow I57 coIn-
lustre and fame to West Point that Congress has
for the eradication of anything which might seem
to be out OF harmony with ITS high purpose.
Congress will make permanent what you have
done hut IN antcipa ting the action OF Congress
achieved here In dsmissng you I hope you will
committee, its we'll wishes for their future sue
cess and its hanks And. Colonel Mills, in ieay-
ing, express the opinion OF every member OF ms
committee when return TO you, for many courte-
sizes sincere thanks; and desire, fuTtheT, 10
attest that in efforts here We have had the
full and hearty cooperation Of yonrself and your
that has been extended to this committee. While
~e are anxious to cave we are not happy 70
duties call elsewhere. While our duties have
seemed at times, unpleasant we are happy In the
thought that in their discharge have served this
splendid institution, of which you are The head, TO
some purpose. That you have accomplished much
report; that you have had the cooperation
of all your fellow officers here are also glad
TO testify and we shall go back 70 congress. ana
excellence of your institution and nope 10 convey
TO the people some idea Of the sense OF the obiga-
ton the people shoulc have for this excellent
Recollections of our work here will have their
goCdby, but a farewell. and wish for you and the
Academy long, happy aid successful career
(Applause)
COMMITTEE NOT TO BLAME CADETS.
Ever since the members OF Congress came
here they have worked nearly sixteen hours
daily in public and executive sessions. The
committee will hold the next meeting in the room
Of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Com
merce. at Washington. at 10 o'clock Tuesday
morning. They expect to make their report
in about ten days and it is said good au-
tboritv that they will recommend that he num-
her of tactical officers at the West Point Acad-
envy be increased 1t is also reported that they
will say that the deaths of former Ca Gets Booz
and Breth not cause by the hazing they
received at West Point. in the case Of Booz
the testimony showed that he was not very
strong at any time, and ii is said, the members
Of the committee believe that his health had
been injured by his treatment at the hands Of
his fellow cadets in the Academy. At the same
time it is contended that the committee has
failed to discover any connection between he
swallowing Of tabasco sauce and the subse-
quent death of Booz from tuberculosis.