New-York tribune., 1901-01-27
ALLEGED HAzING AT ANNAPOLIS
REPRESENTATIVE SHERMAN DETERMINED
TO SECURE AN INVESTIGATION OF
THE NAVAL ACADEMY

Washington. Jan % (speciaD.-Representativ
James 5. Sherman, of New-York. seems thorough
ly convinced that the United States Naval Acad-
emy at Annapolis IS deep in the hazing mire as
the recent Congressional Investigation has shown
the Military Academy at West Point to be- Mr.
Sherman bases this opinion on numerous letters
and complaints he has received from cadets
parents and others directly interested In the Naval
Academy. He has accordingly introduced reso-
luton demanding that the House apply the same
sharp probe OF inquiry at Anna polls as IL apDlied
at West Point. His resolution has been referred
TO the Naval Affairs Committee and II is under
stood that II an investigation Is ordered the sub
committee on the Naval Academy will have charge
Of it. However, II is possible that Mr. Sherman
may object 10 this programme, and. following the
precedent In the West Point investigation, demand
the appointment OF a special committee TO inves-
ugate the charges of excessive and cruel hazing
OF 'pebes" by the upper class men at Annapolis
Mr. Sherman declares that II the reports made
TO him are true II IS evident that the conditions
IN the Naval Academy are every whit bad as
they were shown TO have been West Point be-
fore the cadets there voluntarily agreed to aban-
don the practice of hazing He refuses to discuss
the subject in detail. and Will not even give the
names OF some of those who have come to him
with their grievances. Indeed, It is not understood
how II happens that Mr.. Sherman was selected 10
start this agitation in Congress. as he is not a
member of the Naval Affairs Committee nor in
any way conspicuously connected with naval legts-
lation. 1t is generally thought however that one
or more of his constituents who have sons at
Annapolis have filed charges with him
The officials of the Navy Department show no
disposition to balk delay the investigation de-
manded by Mr. Sherman On the contrary from
Secretary Long down 10 the lowest Bureau chief
the wish seems earnest that the investigation may
be begun al and prosecuted thoroughly and
expeditously. 1t will he recalled that soon after
the Booz Investigation started at West Point
sensational newspapers printed stories one day
about the death from hazing Of cadet at Annapolis
and the day reluctantly reracted after investi-
cation had shown that there was absolutely moth
ing in the stories, the person who died being an
enlisted in the Navy who in way
connected with the Naval Academy and who died
from causes remote from haZng.
Representative Mudd, of Maryland. a member OF
the Naval Affairs Committee and OF the sub-com-
mittee to which the Sherman resolution probably
will be referred, denies Indignantly that there is
the slightest foundation for Mr. Shermans charges
Mr.. Mudd a member for years of the Maryland
Legislature has been in Annapolis great deal and
1t his intimate acquaintance with the Naval
Academy and its traditions and system that COM
mended him tCg place the Naval Affairs Com
mitree when he came to Congress He declares
that not IN all the years OF his acquaintance
with the academy has a cadet been hazing
hazed or otherwise maltreated by upper class
West Point. Even If Speaker Henderson is
induced by Mr.. Sherman to appoint a special COM
mittee to make the investigation demanded, It is
believed that Mr.. Mudd will insist on being made
member of It,