Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1906-03-19
CONGRESST
PUT STOP To
ALL HAz|NG
Vree|aRd Report To Be
Acted Upon Soon.
STATE OF AFFAIRS AT THE
NAVAL ACADEMY DISGRACEFUL
Rayner Of Maryland Has Made Most
Valuable Contribution to Rail-
way Rate Controversy
Correspondence Morning Journal.

Correspondence Morning journal.
Washington, Mar. 15-Representa-
tive Vreeland, of New York, chairman
of the committee appointed to inves-
tigate hazing at the naval academy.
has made a report to the house which
will be taken up at an early date and
in all probability made the basis of
congressional action that will effectu-
ally break up the practices that have
hitherto prevailed at the academy.
The committee found in the course of
its investigation that there We're four
forms of hazing, physical exercise,
Tagging" borrowed from the English
college, running" and rates" Run
ming may be described as mental tor
ture and rates as unofficial regula-
tions made by the upper classmen.
saying what the under classmen may
or may not do.
The state of affairs discovered at
the academy was a little short of dis
graceful and interests the whole coun-
try as it was found that 2S1 cadets
were under charges for hazing in one
form or another. IL was found that
many of the cadets had been put
through physical exercises to the
point of absolute exhaustion and fire.
quently to the point of dying. Fag-
glng was declared to be one of the
worst forms of hazing. implying
species of DEGRADATION, while the 9TH
er two, running and rates, might be
severe or not as the case might be.
1t has been recommended by the
committee that the number of officers
on duty at the academy be increased
as the cadets are confessedly not fit to
rule themselves and in all probability
there will be some regulations in the
next naval bill that will effectually
discOura~e hazing of all sorts in the
institution
The committee found out incident
ally that young Meriwether, who was
brought into unpleasant notoriety in
connection with the fight that result
ed in the death of upper classman
Branch, had more provocation than
had been hitherto admitted for the fa-
tai fight II appears that Branch had
not only hazed Meriwether. but had
forced himself into the lower class
mans room and made remarks about
Meriwethers mother and grandmoth-
er that were enough TO drive any boy
to fight.
People Wouldn't Believe II.
The question of railway rate regu-
lation has been taken up by Con-
gresham Rayner in the senate and
one of the most valuable contributions
has been made to the railway rate
controversy Senator Rayner says
that the discrimination existing in
rates between the different states is
such that the average citizen would
not believe it If the facts were put be-
fore him. The railroads in some cas-
es have charged less for transporting
goods 500 miles further than they
have charged less favored localities.
In some cases goods have been ship
ped to San Francisco from New York
and then shipped back to Salt Lake
to get a cheaper rate than the straight
tariff between Salt Lake and New
York. In other cases it has cost less
to send freight to the gulf points from
New England than it has from Chica-
go. Thus the railroads have been
able to build up one community and
one shipper at the expense of another.
Senator Rayner says that he wishes
the roads no harm, but he would call
their attention to the advisability OF
acting right less q worse thing befall
them. He says that the Hepburn bill
is all right and ought to be passed
without amendment and that If con-
gress does not pass a bill giving the
interstate commerce commission pow
er to name rates and enforce them
that there is every possibility of a new
party springing up which will have
for its cry the regulation of rates and
IN this comes to pass, the railroads
may look for rates on an almost con.
fiscatory basis
The Civil Pension Bill.
As there are over $4,000 govern
ment clerks In Washington alone and
more than 10000 in the classified
services throughout the country 1t viii
be of interest to almost every COM
munlty to hear that the clerks have
gotten together on civil pension bill
that while It will not cost the govern
ment anything as does the war pen
sion list. IL promises to provide a pen.
sion for all clerks in the service
reaching the age of superannuation
This matter of a civil pension list has
been discussed for some time and this
Is the first OCCASION when the employees
Of the classified service have gotter
together over a measure that prom
ises to provide for the clerks In then
old age as is done In every civilized
government abroad. The employe.
have had expert actuaries working OF
the problem for months. and the'
have now settled ON two bills which
will be presented to congress. elthel
one Of which Will provide for decer
civil pension system that will be self
supporting. and will take the annuitie
10 be paid In very small nstallment
out OF the clerks salaries without fur
ther expense To the general govern