Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-09
INQUIRY TO BE MADE
CAPT. WALKERS EXPULSION
FROM WEST POINT.
Allegations That Impugn His Charac-
ter as an Officer and
Gentleman.

Secretary Taft has decided to ignore the
charges preferred by Capt. John P. Walker,
u. 8. A., retired, against Col. A. L. Mills
superintendent CT the Military Academy,
and has ordered Col. E. A. Darlington, in
spectoc general Of the Department of the
East, to investigate the circumstances
which led to Capt. Walkers expulsion from
the Military Academy with view to the
trial of that officer by court-martial, II JUS
tilted by the facts developed. This action
was taken on the recommendation of Judge
Advocate General Davis, who Investigated
the correspondence involved in the contro-
yersy between Capt Walker and Col. Mills
and expressed the opinion that the charges
made by Capt Walker against Col. Mills
are not sufficient to justify any proceedings
against that officer. Gen. Davis further
stated that the allegations as to Capt. Wal
ker's behavior at West Point are such as
to impugn his characte: as an officer and
gentleman. He therefore recommended
that an investigation be made of his alleged
conduct at West Point with view to such
disciplinary measures as may be warranted
by the facts.
That the President and the Secretary of
War find nothing to criticise In the action
of Col. Mills in this matter seems to be In
dicated by the fact that since the investiga-
ton at the War Department Col. Mills has
been appointed a brigadier general In the
army.
It is charged against Capt Walker that
while guest at the Military Academy he
grossly insulted Miss Ella Hager. the only
woman stenographer at the academy, and
that he was banished from the academy by
order OF Col. Mills for that alleged offepse.
Accordingto the New York Sun of today
Miss Hager has made the following stat
men in regard to the occurrences:
rF;-e no oar,s Staternenf
"In the early part of last September
Capt. James H. Smith, who is secretary
of the Graduates Association, was pre-
pairing the biography of Capt. Brady. de-
ceased I was helping him In the work.
which was being done in Capt. Smiths Of
fee in Memorial Hall. On day, don't
Of information about Capt. Brady that
we couldn't find anywhere. Capt. Walker.
who was sleeping at Memorial Hall came
In the Office and told Capt. Smith that he
could help him out with the biography.
He went out and returned in a little while
These had to be typewriter. so Capt.
Walker stayed In the office at my desk
while Capt. Smith went out after time.
eI was working away when Capt. Walker
to the late Capt. Brady. They were very
personal and very unpleasant. l won't say
what they were. because Col Mills has
requested me to keep silent. asked Capt.
Walker to behave himself. The next day
he came to the Office again, and. finding
nobody there but myself, he began to say
things that frightened me. Something else
occurred. but cannot tell you about that
now.
Probably day or two later, while
was at work, boy brought letter and
box of candy addressed to me. Tho letter
was signed by Capt. Walker and Its ec.i-
tents were shocking. 1t was the most OBJ
thing ever saw. ! showed 1t
to a friend. Miss Reuter-, and then / sent
it back to Capt. Walker, with the box of
candy. by an orderly, and I didn't touch
the candy either.
by that time / was SO mad that when
Capt Smith came In he found me crying.
Then | told him the whole story Capt.
Smith went to Col Mills. ana the next l
heard was that Capt. Walker had been
ordered on the reservations