Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-31
LOOKS LIKE PERJURY
Two Midshipmen Charge De-
catur With Hazing,
He PLEADS NOT GUILTY
INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE.
Annapolis Court Shown Methods of
Hazing-Rigid Cross-E1amination
Failed to Shake Stories.

midshipmen of the fourth class-Isaac n.
McCrary of Calvert Tex, and Gaylord
Church of Meadville, Pa.-testified positive
ly this afternoon that Midshipman Stephen
Decatur jr., of Portsmouth, n. H, mem
Der of the first class, had hazed them on
different occasions
Decatur will according to his counsel, go
on the stand on Tuesday, when the court
will again meet, and deny under oath the
statement which the two under classmen
made discriminating him.
As the evidence of each of the prosecuting
witnesses was to separate incidents and
entirely uncorroborated, there is possibil-
ity that the evidence vail be considered in
sufficient to convict Decatur; but the APP
parent fact will remain, should the latter
make the denial promised, that a perjurer
is wearing the uniform of a midshipman of
the United States navy.
Decatur Pleaded Not Guilty.
Young Decatur was arraigned at 2:2O this
afternoon and pleaded not guilty to every
charge and specification.
Midshipman McSrary was then called and
testified clearly and positively that he had
been hazed by Decatur, who, he said, had
sent for him to come to Decatur's room.
There he had ordered him to stand his
head in the closet, and he had done so
until he was exhausted, about 100 times.
Decatur then compelled him to do mo.
16" and then he was ordered by some one,
possibly not Decatur. he said, to perform
1.-The leaning rest All of these were con-
tinued until the witness could do them no
more.
The witness showed the court the manner
of performing two exercises. In No. 16'
the hands were placed on the hips and the
body lowered and raised by bending the
legs outward and Strengthening them again.
In the leaning rest" the hands and feet
were placed on the floor, with the body
rigid and the body raised and lowered by
bending and Strengthening the arms. This
was designated as mo. - in the specifica-
tions but this was apparently a blunder
Rigid Cross Examination
McCrary was rigidy cross examined, but
his story was not shaken. Finally he said
In answer to questions that he would not
believe Decatur If he -swore that he had
not told him to stand on his head and per-
form mo. 49,
Midshipman Church testified that De-
catur had ordered him to stand on his head
but he was not SO positive as McCrary and
admitted that he might be mistaken. These
were the only witnesses for the prosecu-
ton.
The remainder of the session was taken
up by witnesses who testified to the good
reputation for truthfulness enjoyed by
Decatur. Those who gave this testimony
were Commander w. F. Fullam, Lieut.
Commander Edward q. Capehart Professor
Harry P. Huse and Midshipmen Lawrence
S. Stewart and Charles E. Hovey.
Decatur to Deny Every Charge.
Mr.. TheaH, Decaturs counsel, stated that
the accused mdshipman will go on the
stand Tuesday and deny specifically every
statement made to the effect that he had
hazed either McCrary or Church, and that
there would also be evidence offered tend
ing to establish an anbi He would prove.
Mr.. Theall said that the case was one of
mistaken identity.
Trenmor Coffin, jr.. whose trial for the
alleged hazing of Midshipman Jerdone P.
KinBbrough was concluded yesterday, was
before the court for brief period and
heard the record of yesterday read and ap
proved. 1t is practically conceded that
Coffin has been convicted and will be dis
missed. though. Of course. nothing is
known officially.
Charges Against Foster.
Charges have been filed against Midship-
man Worth Wright Foster of New Albany.
ina. 1t is specified In his case that he
hazed Midshipman Chester S. Roberts of
Joliet, H., by compelling him to get under
the table while eating his supper. This is
another usual form of hazing at the
academy, but one which has not yet been
specified in any charge
As an officer Is always in the room DUR
Ing meals, the hazing, II 1T took place, must
have been under an officers eyes, but it is
explained that he cannot see all that goes
on because of the large number of midship-