Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-23

Ell forward. his chin resting In his hands,
his teeth set, as the story~went on-~1t was
the most dramatic point in the trial so far
Commander Robinson took up the cross
examination, comforting several times WITH
Mr. Munroe, the civilian counsel for the
defense, but failed to elicit any material
modification of the Doctors originally ex-
pressed opinion that the injuries resulted
directly from the blows administered In the
fight Nearly all the members of the court
took part in the questioning to all OF whom
DR. Stone replied quietly but reientiessy
lie was the most effective witness Tor the
prosecution so far. He said In reply to one
inquiry that the punching bag gloves used
IN the fight were more deadly than ordinary
ring gloves.
Admiral Mccormick pressed the question
ing closely but DR.. Stone did not vary ms
testimony. and refused TO OFFER any other
explanation for the death than Internal
hemorrhage or fracture of the base OF the
brain. caused by the blows in the fight.
Not Boxing Gloves Used.
Mjdshipman Fitch. who was the reeog-
nized expert on boxing in yesterdays pro-
-csedings. was recalled, and created some in
sterest bv a remark about the "bag-punch-
ing" gloves used in the fight He said the
gloves were authorized for bag punching,
but not for boxing. though there was no
objection to the men fighting with them In
the gym" Every one pricked up MS
ears at the word fight" but Fitch did
not offer any explanation of the word,
though he drew distinction between the
fighting gloves and boxing gloves. He said
however lie had never seen a fight in the
gymnasium.
Fitch was the last witness at the morn
ing session. and adjournment was taken till
pm.
A Well Recognized Code.
Yesterday afternoons session was largely
a repetition of the mornings. The story OK
the fight was told by each OF the midsnip-
men present. the accounts agreeing closely
One important point which the defense
managed to bring out in the story OF every
man was that lighting TO settle personal
grievance was the rule and SO much the
rule that there was well-recognizea cooe
covering all the points of a meeting.
Mirsnipman McI<ittrick, one Of Branch
seconds. admitted that he had been out
In eight fights, although never as a prm-
cipal Several of these fights had sent one
or both Of the me nto the hospital. Asked
sif these fights did not come to the Know
edge OF the authorities, witnessed rephen,
Not so far as l know outside the hospital:
Yes. they did and / will prove II, saiu
Commander Robinson half to himself. But
the point was not pushed at that time.
Midshipman Noyes, the referee, said ne
had offlciated at nineteen fights 1t was
said at the Academy yesterday that there
was a fight the day after the Branch-Meri-
wether affair and that there have been six
nights since, but, of course, this is not Off
cial.
one OF the most interesting witnesses OF
the afternoon was Mfdshipman Prftchard,
who recalled and told of helping 10
give Branch the hot shower bath that II
= seems was directly responsible for his
death.
He said Branch walked to his room after
the fight and went under the shower with
three other men, He said the shower was
hot, and after Branch went to bed they put
hat hi hon ppflaIn tba. H.
ing that had closed one eye. He was APP
parently all right when left for the night,
but next morning the clot had evidently
touched the brain, for his left side was
paralyzed and he was unconscious.
No Autopsy Performed.
Medical Inspector Byrnes, who was the
FIRST witness at the afternoon session, said
no autopsy was performed after death,
owing 10 the objet-to of Branchs father.
He agreed with DIR. Stone, that The hot
shower had no material effect In causing
the death.