Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-24
LINEUP OF MIDDIEs
MANY WASHINGTONIANS AT AN
NAPoLIS YESTERDAY.
New Men at Academy Are Unde
Stringent Observation-Disclosures
Of Douglas.
speci.l Correspondence Of The Evening Star

Specf8l Correspondence o. Inc Evening ctnE.
ANNAPOLIS. Nd. August %, 1903.
Dinner formation Of the midshipmen at
the Naval Academy, today was witnessed
by an unusually large number of visitors,
many of whom were Baltimore and Wash
ington execursionists.
The middies of the fourth class were
lined I'D in three divisions on the main
walk leading to the mess hall, or main
quarters few Of the upper classmen
who are here and who rate the "plebes."
or fourth-class youngsters, were formed
near the main quarters at right angles to
the line of formation of the fourth class.
At dinner formation the orders were read
out and assignments made to cadet petty
officers. Then the fourth class was mus
tered in. the midshipmen officers in charge
of squads, sections, buildings, etc., were
chosen alphabetically.
When the new middies are lined up in
their white duck uniforms with brass but
tons and dark navy blue caps they make
fine showing. Their average height is
about the same, but there few that
scarcely measure above the required height,
one of these being five feet one-quarter
inch and another five feet one-half inch,
while there are a few who measure over
six feet
One of these is the commander of the
fourth class battalion. Horace Dyer of
Minnesota who stands six feet five and
three-quarter inches in his stockings. There
are still some of the class admitted in June
who have not yet got the kinks" out of
them. while others are as straight and
soldierly as the upper classmen.
Under Stringent Rules.
They are now under the most stringent
military rules and discipline, and this ap-
plies to their carriage as well as to their
Rotations and is taken into account in
their marks. -
Since August the rules have been more
stringent and dement's have been given
for the least offense, and the MILDLY is con-
fined to me Santee or made do guard duty
for a second offense. That for which most
midshfpmen are punished Is smoking,
which the rules of the Naval Academy
strictly forbid.
Although only middies of scarcely two
months standing, some take desperate
chances and French out in town. This
is usually done at night, and either in
"cit's" dress or In some disguise; but II
caught the punishment Is very severe.
A few nights ago MILDLY who was on the
Santee for punishment took it into his head
to French" He borrowed sailors
clothes, and with this disguise and false
mustache he went into one of the stores in
town to make a purchase.
The proprietor did not at once recognize
him, but, glancing at his neck, he told the
MILDLY that if he did not want everybody
to know who he was he had better turn
the neck of his shirt in, for on It, stamped
in bold letters, was the midshipman's name.
1t took only a fifty for him to get out Of
the store. Hidden away from inquisitive
eyes at the Naval Academy are wigs and
mustaches that are brought into use when
a MILDLY wants to take French leave"
Douglas' Dismissal
A sincere regret Is felt by the midshhip-
men of his class for former Midshipman
Duncan Douglas of Albany, N. Y, who
for falsely stating his age to be eighteen
when it is twenty-six was dismissed from
the academy Saturday.
Douglas was admitted last May after
having passed an excellent examination in
all studies. He WAS considered the bright
est man in the class and was highly thought
of by the officers and professors.
He was called before the acting superin-