Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-05
DESCRIBE NEW
FORMS OF HAZING
INTERESTING TESTIMONY IN
NAVAL C0URT.M MARTIAL
Midshipman Worth w. Foster on Trial
Most Of the Witnesses Try
to Avoid Testifying
in the Case
By Associated Press.

by Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS. Md. Jan. A.-Today'a
proceedings before the court-martial
which is trying Midshipman Worth
w. Foster of Now Albany. Ind. FOR
the alleged hazng of Midshipman
Chester s. Roberts were of interest
us not only were some new forms of
haziug explained, but the fact that
most Of the witnesses who sought to
bc excused from answering questions
did SO ON the ground that they would
ncriminatC themselves indicates how
thoroughly the practice of huZing has
pelmcated the institution. The court
rulcd that a midshipman did not in
criminatc himself by stating that he
was present during the haaing if he
did not actually take part in it him
self, but even after this explanation,
several midshipmen asked to be eX-
cuscd from answering questions, say.
ing they would inCriminate them
selves if they answered
The record of yesterdays proceed
ingS in DCCatur's case was verified and
some small changes made i'm the record
Of Midshipman Trevmor Coffin's trial.
The court then took up the case of
Midshipman Worth w. Foster of New
Albany, Ind, who is charged with
hazing Midshipman Chester :. Roberts.
1t is alleged that between the middle
of October and December Foster 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
indefinite nature of the time alleged
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
advocate be compelled to specify more
exactly. The court was cleared to con-
slider his request.
Foster pleaded not guilty to the
charges and all the specifica tions.
Mdshpman Chester S. Roberts was
the first witness. He identified the
accused by name He appeared most
reluctant to testify against the ac-
cused and parried the questions of the
judge advocate until Captain Rees, 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 to Fosters room and he
had done so. Foster had ordered him
to so in the small room and that
some one had then held him thumb
in four positions" these indicating, he
said, that he was in succession to tell
his name, where he was from, whom
he succeeded in the academy and to
get on his head. He was compelled
then to do number 16' 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 wit
ness 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
Midshipman CleVenger Foster and
Decatur We're in the room, .he said
and he believed that Foster had made
the motions with his thumbs.
Midshipman William r. MANNER of
the second class was the next witness.
Counsel asked that the witness be
cautioned that he need not give testi-
mony which would incriminate him
self. He was then asked if he had
seen Roberts sent under the table at
any time, and in reply asked if, in
this question in the aftlrma-
tive he would be discriminating him
self by admitting being present when
the hazing was going on, and not re-
porting it. The court ruled that his
the witness. He then said that Rob
erts had been put under the table by
Mr. Foster he thought
Midshipmen G.. r. Hyatt, William l..
Beck and Paul II. Rice, who followed
on the stand gave testimony corrobor-
ating MANNER
Midshipman John c. Campbell said
that he had heard Roberts ordered un-
der the table by Foster. This was the
first witness, besides Roberts, who said
directly that Foster had given the Or
40, TO 11p6ar tha t1 h1a