New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-15
HAZING WILL BE STOPPED.
DISMISSAL THE PENALTY.
Secretary Bonaparte Thinks Dr0st't
Measures Needed at annapolis.

Washington Dec 14--Hazing of every kind.
it was announced to-day will be stamped out at
the Naval Academy, regardless of the numoe@
of dismissals from the brigade of midshlprnen
necessary to bring about this result TWO nid-
shipmea will be dismissed FROM the academy
within a few days by the Secretary of the Navy
one for hazing and the other for countenancing
it bv failure while on duty to report its occur
renee Other dismissals will follow often as
midshipmen are found guilty of hazing or coun-
tenancing it.
Aroused by the condition Of affairs which re-
ports show to exist at the academy, so lar as
the treatment of fourth class men is concerned
Secretary Bonaparte late this afternoon teie-
phoned to Rear Admiral James H. Sands, super
intendent Of the academy, a request to come TO
Washington as soon possible for CONFER
ence. This conference will be held tomorrow
morning, Admiral Sands arriving here on an
early train from Annapolis 1t will be the first
step in a new and vigorous campaign to be
waged at Annapolis against haZing Admiral
Sands will have the unqualified support OF the
Navy Department in his efforts to abolish the
evil and Secretary Bonaparte to-day announced
that the admiral possessed the full confidence
Of the officials here in his ability to handle the
situation to the entire satisfaction of the de-
partnent- An investigation by Congress Of the
conditions at the academy has already been pro-
q
this afternoon by Representative Losid st
Michigan.
TWO NfIDsHIPMEN TO GO.
When Secretary Bonaparte reached the Navy
Department to-day he received an official report
from Admiral Sands announcing the suspension
Of Mtdshipman Trenmor Coffin. jr- Of the third
class. for hazing Midshipmen Jerdone Pettus
TItmbrough of the fourth class, by forcing him
to stand on his head until he became uncon-
scious. and of Midshipman Warren Able Van
derveer of the second class, because while on
duty he observed the occurrence and failed 10
report it. The superintendent called attention
to the fact that Coffin and Vanderveer were
guilty of violating a well known regulation for
the government of the Naval Academy, and
recommended their summary dismissal in &C
cordance with an act of Congress approved
March 8. 1903 The act provides that the
superintendent of the Naval Academy shall make
such rules to be approved by the Secretary of
the Navy as will effectually prevent the prac-
tice of hazing, and any cadet found guilty or
taking part in or encouraging or countenancing
such practice shall be sun1marily expelled from
the academy and shall not thereafter be re-
appointed to the corps Of cadets or be eligible Tor
appointment as a commissioned officer IN the
army or navy or marine corps until two years
after the graduation of the class OF which ne
member.
MR. MoODY'S OPINION ASKED.
Secretary Bonaparte this morning had a con-
ference with Rear Admiral Converse, chief oil
the Bureau of Navigation and a plan OF CAM
paign was mapped out 1t was first decided that
the law was mandatory, and THAI the recon-
rnendation of the superintendent would soon De
annroved and the two cadets summarily expelled
In the mean time, however, the Secretary wishes
to obtain from the Attorney General an opinion
regarding certain phases of the cases, which,
while exceedingly important, will not affect, 1t
is understood, his final action approving the
recommendation for summary expulsion Sec
rotary Bonaparte this afternoon sent letter to
Attorney General Moody, requesting the desired
information and closed his official day with an
announcement that be would complete his con-
sideration of the case and announce the decision
of the department at the earliest practicable
moment, but that so far informed he regarded
the cases as requiring prompt and drastic &C
ton
SUPPORT FOR ADMIRAL SANDS.
No secret was made at the Navy Department
of the determination Of the officials to make
short work with "hazing" running" and al.
such practices at the academy. In connection
with the court martial of Midshipman Minor
Meriwether, jr, for taking part in a fist fight
with Midshipman James r. Branch, 3rr soon
after which Branch died Secretary Bonaparte
has made a thorough preliminary study of af-
fairs at the academy. He had already been IN
formed of the continuance of hazing at Annap-
oils, and he had evidence that IT had been car
rled on for q long time under the name of run
ming" Admiral Sands became superintendent OF
the academy last July. The department has
promised its full support in his efforts TO |
eradicate hazng and other bad features OF mid |
shipman life
II necessary it is understood the President
will be asked to veto any bill which may be |
passed by Congress providing for the reinstate-
nent OF a midshipman expelled for hazing OF
it, Three midshipmen were rein |
stated nv a special act of Congress passed at !
the last session, after having been expelled from
the Naval Academy for .hazing, They We're re-
o,Iirad 10 stand a special examination, but |
egnffsraa no other penalty. Admiral Brownson, |
Tho was al that time superintendent OF the
Continued third page.
FLoRIoA's FAMOUS TRAINS.