Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-15
Two Late Cases Under Inves-
tigation.
SANDS ORDER
APPOINTS BOARD AND DIRECTS
RIGID INQUIRY.
Young Midshipman Stricken With
Paralysis-Suspicion That There
Are Other Hazings.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star
ANNAPOLIS, Nd, December 15.-Naval
circles are deeply stirred over the hazing
of Midshtpman Jerdone Kimbrough and the
mysterious condition of Midshipman Henry
g. Cooper jr., the latter of whom while in
class room Wednesday being stricken with
paralysis, which affected his whole right
side. There is still no direct evidence that
Cooper was hazed, but suspicion has not
been removed by any means.
The details Of the hazing of Kimbrough
are gradually coming to light ana show the
lowest degree of brutality on the part of
his tormentors. He was compelled to stand
on his head until he was unconscious and
then LETT in that condition. 1t was stated
by an official of the academy that If he had
not been discovered promptly and skilled
treatment given him he would probably
have died. Gravity Is added to the offense
by the fact that his hazing was evidently
In retaliation for the evidence which he
had given before an investigation board
before whom he had been compelled to tes-
tify few days before.
Regarded as Inexcusabls.
The hazing of young Kimbrough was re-
garded as entirely inexcusable from any
standpoint He is known as youth of most
gentle manners by no means lacking in
manliness, but the kind that gave evidence
OF most loving and careful training. These
very facts seem to have made him tar
get for certain members of the upper
classes and his prosecutions began even
before he entered the institution The in
cidents of the haZing, however, have been
lost sight of in some degree by the evil
dence that Admiral Sands proposes to
strike at hazing in a manner so direct and
determined that it is unlike any other at
tempt which has ever been made to sup
press the practice.
Directly after the Meriwether ceurt-mar-
tial adjourned the superintendent ap-
pointed board of officers with instructions
that it should inquire into ''all customs
among midshipmen which are contrary to
naval regulation or the laws of the United
States" This board was composed of four
officers the ranking officers of the depart
ment of discipline, with the exception of
Capt George P. Colvocoresses, the COM
mandant of midshipmen, who is chief of the
department. They have been pursuing their
work quietly and the hazing Of KIM
brough grew out of the testimony given
by him before the body. Other cases under
similar circumstances are suspected.
Members of the Board.
The officers who compose this board are
Lieut. Commanders B. c. Decker, E. H.
Durell, H. A. Wiley and C. B. McVay. jr.
They will be in session for several weeks
more soon as any practices are dis
covered which are not permitted by law
or regulation the matter will be laid be-
fore Admiral Sands. The board is pro-
vided with powers similar to that of a
grand jury. 1t can summon witnesses and
compel testimony under oath. HaZing and
fighting the twin evils which, 1t is said,
Admiral Sands is determined to suppress.
The attitude of the admiral toward the
matter is shown in his summary action in
the cases of Midshipmen Trenmor Coffin,
jr and Warren a. Vanderver, the former
of whom admitted having been implicated
in fact, with being the ringieader-in the
haZng, and the latter a second clasSnlan
who was on duty and failed to report the
occurrence.
1t is not yet stated what the recommen-
dalton of the admiral was, as he declined to
give it in advance of its receipt by the
Navy Depa rtment. but it is almost certain
it was dismissal in the first case at least.
In fact, the admiral could have inflicted
practically any punishment short of dis
1nssal without reference to the department.
The work of the board is still going on
and there may be more important deVel-
opments in few days. The midshipmen
are reported to be frightened as tney never
were before. Both Kimbrough and Cooper
are reported in an improved condition.
Vandever's Statement.
dispatch from Mount Holly, n. J., last
night says Mdshipman Warren A. Van
dever IN a letter to his parents received
Tuesday night at the time the hazing oc-
Cured at the Annapolis Naval Academy,
for which his dismissal has been recon-
mended by Admiral Sands.
The midshipman, who is accused of fail
Ing to report the hazing which resulted
seriously to a frst-year cadet Jerdene P.
Kimbrough, says that the hazing was done
in the watch before he was placed on duty,
and that he knew. nothing of 1t till the case
had been investigated by the officer in
charge.
That portion of Wanderers letter which
deals with the hazing incident is as fol-
lows:
"They have been making investigations
into hazing, and 'plebe' told I came on
duty last night on his floor, and when l
inspected for absentees an upper classman,
who was in his room, told me that this
'plebe' had nearly tainted and that he was
trying to fix him up. / did not know
why he tainted and did not think it
serious, SO L didn't report it. The officer
in charge inspected later, and on finding
the .plebe' In bed made an investigat ton
and found out that some one had been haz-
ing him. The officer IN charge asked me
why didn't report the matter. 1 told him
that l didn't know the cause of 1t and didn't
think it serious enough. He reported me
to the commandment for deliberate neglect
of duty and being unfit to go duty.
Il was up before the commandant and he
said about the same things and said he
would recommend me to the superintendent
for dismissal He relieved me from duty
and l am under suspension. That is, i am
confined to my room and not allowed to
go out for drills or on duty.
THE haZing didn't take place while l
was on duty and l didn't know a thing.
about it. The worst l thought they could
fifty dement's. But they have gone ahead
and recommended me for dismissal