The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-12-19
TO ACT AGAINST HAziNG
Representative Loud Introduces Res
olution Calling For Investigation.
NGidship,nen to Be Dismissed From the
Naval Academy at Annapolis,
Nd, For Breaking Rules.

Washington, D. Gin the Navy De-
partment and in Congress the feeling
over the recent hazing at the Naval
| Academy calls for even more stringent
| treatment than has usually been ac-
corded to these offences.
| 1t was learned from official sources
that the hazing Of Midshipman KIM
brough was even more brutal than was
first supposed--more dangerous in its
| natural results and more blameworthy
in its origin. He was undoubtedly
hazed because he testified, under COM
| pulsion. before the investigating board
| and implicated some upper classmen.
| For this he was threatened by upper
classmen that they would Kill him,
| and he is still under that threat, it is
said, repeated since the occurrence
Representative Loud Of Michigan,
a member Of the House Naval Affairs
| Committee, and formerly in the navy,
| introduced resolution providing for a
| thorough investigation of hazing and
| fighting at the Naval Academy. BY
| the terms of this resolution the Naval
| Committee, of which Representative
Loud is member is instructed to
4
! tions of the law and the regulations
governing the Naval Academy con-
tinue and whether hazing, tagging,
running and class fist fighting con
tinue in practice there, and the kn0wl-
edge of and responsibility of the Off
GERS of the academy for any cOndi-
tiOns found to exist
The resolution was referred to the
Naval Affairs Committee. The resO-
luton further provides that the COM
rlittee may work through a sub-com-
mittee, which may hold sessions at
Annapolis or in Washington.
Secretary Bonaparte received an Off
cial report from Rear Admiral Sands
announcing the suspension of Midghip-
man Trenmore Coffin, Jr., third class
man, for hnzing Midshipman Jerdone
PettuS Kimbrough, fourth class man,
by forcing him to stand on his head
until he became unconscious, and of
Midshipman Warren Able Wander
veer. second class man, because while
on duty he observed the occurrence
and failed to report IT,
Secretary BOnaparte expressed the
opinion that the situation at the acad-.
envy was serious. and called for strin-
gent action. Hehas become convinced
that the promises made two years ago
| by the student body to. former Super
intendent Brownsoh TO cease hazing
was only a subterfuge, and that even
| that quibbling upon words does not
afford ground for any statement that
hazing has not continued ever since.
Late in the afternoon, after the Loud
resolution mad been introduced in Con-
gress, he issued the following state
ment M
Secretary BOnaparte has received
report from the Naval Academy In re-
gard to the cases of alleged hazlng,
and has the report under considera-
ton. In view OF the fact that he has
asked the Department of Justice for
an opinion on certain points involved
in the matter he was unable to make
statement, but said that he would
complete his consideration Of the mat
ter and announce the decision Of the
department at the earliest practicable
moment, and that, so far as informed,
he regarded the cases as requiring
prompt drastic action" sssN
Since the penalty for hazing, accord
ing 10 the law passed two years ago,
is dismissal from the service, Secre-
tary Bonaparte's announcement is
taken to mean dismissal for Midship-
men Coffin and Vandeveer.
DR.. W. g. Vandeveer, the father of
Midshipman Vandeveer, whom Adj
miral Sands has recommended to be
summarily dismissed from the Naval
Academy for hazing, called at the
Navy Department to confer with Sec
rotary Bonaparte in behalf Of his son.
DR. Vandeveer did not see the Secre-
tary. but left for him letter setting
forth his wishes in the matter.