The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-01-05
Cadet at Annapolis Stood on His
Head and Did Several
Other Stunts.
HAZING A REGULAR HABIT
MANY UPPER CLASS MEN IMPLl
GATED.

ceedings before the cOurtmartial which
is trying Midshipman Worth w. Foster
of New Albany, Ind, for the alleged haz-
ing of Midshipman Chester S Roberts,
were of interest as not only were some
new forms of hazing explained. but the
number Of witnesses who sought 10 pc
excused from answering questions on the
ground that they would incrlmlnate
themselves indicates how Thoroughly the
practice of haZing has permeated the m
stitution. The court ruled that mid
shipman did not incTiminate himself by
stating that he was present during haz-
ing if he did not actually take part IN
II himself. but even after his explanation
several mtdshipmen asked to be excused
from answering, saying they would IN
criminate themselves if they answered.
Fosters Case Taken Up.
The record of yesterdays proceedings
in Decaturs case was verified and some
small changes made in the record OF
MidShipman COffin's trial. The court then
took up the case OF MldShlpman worm
w. Foster. 1t is alleged that between
the middle of October and December Fos-
ter haZed Roberts by compelling him to
stand on his head, to hang from the
clothes locker and eat under the table
Mr.. Theall Fosters counsel, objected to
the Indifferent nature of the time al
legged for the commission of the acts. he
said that he was not able to properly
prepare a defense when the time was so
uncertain and asked that the judge adVO-
I
/ actly. The court was cleared to consider
his request.
Foster pleaded not guilty TO the charge
and all the specifications.
Accused Identified.
Midshipman Chester s. Roberts was the
first witness. He identified the accused
by name. He appeared most reluctant to
testify against the accused and parted
the question of the judge advocate until
Captain Ross, the president of the court
cautioned him that he was under oath
to tell the whole truth in the matter. He
then said that about two weeks after the
school had opened Foster had ordered
him to report 20 Fosters room and he
had done so. Foster had ordered him to
go in the small room and that some one
had then held his thumb in four posi-
tons, these indicating, he said, that he
was in succession to tell his name. where
ne was from, whom he succeeded in the
academy and to get on his head.
Did Number TO-
He was compelled then to do Number
l6' and then to hang on the locker, both
Of which he did. He then was asked if
he could do any better at the table. The
witness answered that he had done his
best before and was then ordered to
hang on the locker again. Roberts said
that Foster then sent him for Midship-
man CleVenger- Foster and Decatur were
In the room, he said. and he believed that
Foster had made the motions with his
thumb.
Afraid to Answer.
Midshipman William R MANNER of the
second class was the next witness. COun-
SCI asked that the witness be cautioned
that he need not give testimony which
would incrminate himself. He was then
asked if he had seen Roberts sent under
the table at any time. and in reply, asked
If. in answering this question in the af-
firmative he would be discriminating him
self by admitting being present, when the
haZing was going on. and not reporting
1t The court ruled that his mere pres
snce would not incriminate the witness
He then said that Roberts had been put
under. the table. by Mr.. Foster he
thought
Midshipmen c r. Hyatt. William L.
Beck and Paul II. Rice, who followed on
he stand, gave testimony cOrrobOrating
Midshipman John c. Campbell said
that he had heard Roberts ordered I'M
der the table by Foster. This was the
first witness before Roberts who said
directly that Foster had given the order
% get under the table.
Another Case Ready.
Lieutenant Commander S. T. P Ma
gruder. aide to Superintendent Sands,
and who has charge of the preparation
Of the charges and specifications upon
which midshipmen are tried before the
| Ccurtmartial, said this afternoon that the
only charge which had been prepared up
No this tive except those already tried
Has one against Midshipman s. 2. B.
MarZOni.
However he said. there will be
charges in a new case ready for the
court as soon as il was disposed of the
previous ono and 1 cannot say when the
end will come"
In all the cases tried so far the charge
has been framed under the act of 1874
under which active participation in hHz-
ing must be proved. In future cases the
charges will be framed under the amend
ment to the law approved March 3, 1903
The words of this act make it an offense.
punishable by dismissal ito participate
In. encourage or countenance hazing."
\ printed form for the charge under
the act of 1903 has been made out by
order Of the superintendent and these are
Indications of q wholesale use of them.