Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-12-15
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington. ID. c.. Dec. 20.

Washington. ID. e.. Dec. %.
With congressional investigation OF
Naval Academy hazing in sight, naval
officers here are engaged in an unofhclal
controversary with Congress as to where
lies the responsibility for the present
situation at Annapolis. Congress be-
ieves that the officers assigned to duty
with the brigade of midshipmeD have
wlnked at the "time-hOnOred running"
OF plebes in the same way they wlDked
a. the code OF honor finish fights up to
the time of the Bran CHI Meriwether
fatal encounter. The naval officers say
that Congress neutralized the effect OF
the anti-hazing law passed March 3,
1908, by reinstating boys who had been
dismissed under its provisions. As
matter of fact, there is grave reason for
believing that at the Naval Academy
the provisions of the law were misun-
dersloOd. Hazing was considered un-
lawful. but what constituted hazing Was
COMPOUNDED with running" by which
term every naval officer defines the
treatment accorded plebes by upper
clsssmen in teaching the new conels
their place. in the traditional scheme
of things in the naval academy
Testimony at the Meriwether court
martial was given by middies to the ei-
feet that Admiral BrownsOn, when SUI
perinlendent of the academy, received
pledges from the various upper classes
not to haze; there was az understanding
among the midshipmen, however, that
running" was not prohibited and
didn't come under prohibition OF The law
or their pledges. Testimony was also
given that Admiral Sands had not re-
ceived these pledges during his present
administration. While officers at the
academy, it is said, would doubtless have
condemned haziDg most vigorously and
in full accordance with the law at any
time during the past two years, compe-
tent evidence abluced in the Merlwether
trial showed that running" was not dis
countensnced. The fright to run" Is
privilege of a third classman fixed
by the code. For instance, a third
ciassman loses his right to "run"
plebes unless, rs plebe, he has
obeyed the code in the matter of re-
senting class and personal insults.
"There will be no more interference
with lower classmen by upper classmen
at the naval academy" said Rear Ad-
miral Sands, in conversation To-Day. He
said that he had held conference with
the midshipmen officers and petty officers
day before yesterday, the ranking mid
sbipmen being members of the first and
second classes who have disciplinary
charge of the brigade OF midshipmen.
"The law expressly prohibits interior
ence," said Admiral Sands. "The mid
shipmen officers were informed OF this
and declared that they would do every
thing in their power to prevent inter
ference in any way with uuderclassmen.
You could not ask them to do anything
more. aud | am sure that everything
will be done in the brigade itself to pre-
vent haziDg of any kind" 1--WE have
ScnOOl NJ AuudPVliSs 0"'N AA'' ~
Sands. Wwhere we are training officers aud
gentleman. This is matter which we
can settle within the walls Of the acade-
my. | am sure that it will work out
from now on most satisfactorily"
The first practical step toward lnau'
gurating a modern and thoroughly equip
ped railroad system in the Philippines
was taken today, when bids for The vari-
Gus concessionary grants were opened at
the War Department IN the office of
Col. Clarence Edwards, chief of the Blu
reau of Insular Affairs. The proposed
system contemplstes / lines, aggrega-
ting 200 miles in length. Standard
gauge of 4 feet 81 inches will be re-
quired, except on such short spurs as
may be excepted by The Philippine gov
eminent. Steam will be the general
motive power, except that electricity
may be employed on any particular line
with the consent of the governor general.
The concessioDaries will be given the right
of way through all public lands end will
have the right to secure private property
! tor RIGHT of Way through condemnation