Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-12-15

1t is the universal opinion in Wash
ington that the affairs at the Naval
Academy are nj a "demoralizing"
condition, aud a general sentiment
prevails that hazing by its own or any
other name must be effectually stamp
ed out, regardless of the number of
dismissals that it Will entail.
Admiral Sands Sent For.
Late yesterday afternoon Secretary
of the Navy Charles j. Bonaparte tel
ephoned to Rear Admiral James II.
Sands, superintendent Of the Naval
Academy, requesting him to come to
Washington as soon rs possible for q
conference.
Admiral Sands left this morning
and the conference with the Secretary
is expected TO be the initial step of a
vigorous campaign to be waged at the
Academy against hazing. Admiral
Sands will have the unqualified sup
port of the Navy Department in his
efforts to abolish the evil, and Seore-
tary Bonaparte has announced that
the Admiral possessed the full conf
denee of the officials there in his abil
tire satisfaction of the department.
Congress Wants Investigation.
Congress is taking "a hand in this
Naval Academy muddle and an inves-
tigation is being sought by several
resolutions introduced yesterday. One
resolution was introduced by Mr..
Mudd, who is "A member of the House
Committee on Naval Affairs, and the
resolution which he has introduced is
regarded as aiming at the cuplability
of officers in charge OF the Naval
Academy, aud is certain to excite con-
siderable comment when discussed in
the House.
The resolution was referred TO the
House Committee on Naval Affairs,
and will be brought up for considera-
tion by that committee Immediately
after IL holds its first meeting OF the
present session this morning. There
are eighteen members on the commit
tee. two of whom are already com
mitted to the substance OF the resolu-
tion.
Mr.. Mudd has always been staunch
friend of the Naval Academy and was
instrumental largely in having the
bill passed that appropriated $40, ,OOO,-
900 for the New Naval Academy, and
also for deepening the channel to ad-
NIT battleships.
Mr.. Loud's Resolution.
The resolution of Representative
George A. Loud. of Michigan, which
was passed yesterday aims at a Con-
gressional investigation of conditions
at the Naval Academy. Some members
.f 10 fa fn
that if this investigation is held there
will be some startling developments
The sweeping character of the resolu-
tion is evident from its text, which is
as follows
"Resolved, That the Committee on
Naval Affairs be and is hereby direct
ed to make thorough investigation
OF the situation and conditions at the
United States Naval Academy, at An
uapolis, and especially to ascertain
and report whether there has been
violations of the law ard regulations
governing the Academy, and especial
ly hazing, tagging, whether there bas
been running and class fist fighting in
practice there, and the knowledge and
responsibility of the officers of the
Academy for any conditions found.
"Suoh committee may act by sub
committee, if found advisable, and
may sit at the Capitol or at the Naval
| Academy or elsewhere and may send
for persons and papers and examine
| witnesses and take such other action
as may be found necessary.
Opinions of Congressman.
Mr.. Loud says he is very fond OF
the navy and everything pertaining tC
the Naval Academy. but is opposed tC
fist fights and hazing, and he calls
| it brutality and cowardice.
Representative NJ. Alden Smith
saws he thinks such a condition oil
affairs that prevails at the Nava
Academy reflects upon the govern
ment of the country.
Representative Roberts, of Massa
| chusetts, says: "The evident failure
of the superintendent TO control tn,
situation and enforce the law agains
hazing is detrimental to the Interest
of the institution and the practices
| INDUCED in there reflect upon the
country as "A whole. -
Referring to the MeTiwether cas-,
| Mr.. Roberts said "The present re
markable conditions resulting from
| the Meriwether trial that the princi
/
| tence, but no reduction in grade. while
| the two assistants at the fight are re
| duced year-a punishment that will
| follow them in material way al
their lives.
The Cause of The Trouble.
The oyerzealousness of Prof. JohI
| G. Pettus the grandfather OF Midship
man Jerdone p. Kimbrongh, is saiC
to be largely due to his grandson hav
ing been so strenuously hazed at tht
Naval Academy The family exceed
ingly regret the affair. Relatives
say that recent letters from younI
Kimbrough tell of some of his exper
fences at tue Academy. Ono lettel
states that broomstick was dressed il
female apparel and that the younl
man was forced to make love- &
the dummy.
Jerdone's grandfather recently re
/ ported the running to the authori
| ties, aud when the midshipmen wer,
called upon fer explanation they be
came strongly incensed. The angar O
the students was increased by tn,
forced appearance of Jerdone befor
the investigators and his narration o