Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-05
HAzING A GENERAL PRACTICE
Many cadets Refuse to Answer for
Fear OF discriminating
Themselves.

ANNAPOLIS. Md. Jan. t-Today's pro-
ceedings before the court martial which is
trying Midshipman Worth w Foster of
New Albany. Ind. for the alleged hazinE
of Midshipman Chester $. Roberts were Of
interest, as not only were some new forms
Of hazing explained. but the number Of
witnesses who sought to be excused from
answering questions on the ground that
they would incriminate themselves indi-
Gates how thoroughly the practice of haz-
ing has permeated the institution. The
court ruled that a midshtpman did not in
criminate himself by stating that he was
present during hazing ii he did not actu-
ally take part in 1t himself. but even after
this explanation several midshipmen asked
TO be excused from answering questions,
saying they would incrtminate themselves
il they answered
The records of yesterdays proceedings in
Decatur's case was verified and some small
changes made in the record Of Midship-
| man Trenmor Coffins trial. The court
| then took up the case of Midshipnlan
Worth w Foster of New Albany Ind,
| who Is charged with hazng Midshipman
| Chester S. Roberts 1t is alleged that be-
tween 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 COM
| PEELED to specify more exactly. The court
was cleared to consider his request.
! Foster pleaded not guilty to the charge
and all the specifications.
Mdshipman Chester S. Roberts was the
first witness. He identified the accused by
name. He appeared most reluctant to
testify against the accused and parried
the question of the Judge advocate until
Captain Rees. president of the court, eau
toned him that he was under oath to tell
the whole truth I'm the matter He then
said that about two weeks after the school
had opened Foster had ordered him u
report to Fosters room and he had done
SO. Foster ordered him to go in the small
room, and that some one had then held
his thumb in four positions, these in
diCating, he said. that he was in success
sion to tell his name, where he was from
who he succeeded in the academy and ia
get on his head. He was compelled then
to do NO. 1G" and then to hang on tho
locker. both OF which he did. He ther
was asked if he could hear any better al
the table.
The witness answered that he had done
his best before. and was then-ordered &c
hang on the locker again. Roberts said
that Foster then sent him for Midshipmar
Clevenger. Foster and Decatur were IN
the room, he said. and he believed thai
Foster had made the motions with hi
. ! thumb.
Midshipman William r. MANNER OF tn
, | second class was the next witness Counss
asked that the witness be cautioned tina
, he need not give testimony which woul
incriminate himself. lie was then aske
IL he had seen Roberts sent under the tabl
, at any time, and in reply asked il in ar
swering this question hi the affirmative h
would be discriminating himself by admit
ting being present when hazing was goin
I on and not reporting It. The court rule
e that his mere presence would not ncrim
t nate the witness. lie then said that MI
Roberts had been put under the table b
| Mr.. Foster, he thought.
- In response to a question OF the cour
I MANNER said that Foster was RESPONSIBLE
for the conduct at the table and that II wa
not likely that a midshipman would b
placed under the table and the midshipma
. in charge not know il.
! Midshipmen G. r. Hyatt, William l., Bee
| and Paul H. Rice. who followed on tn
stand gave testimony corroborating Man
! nier.
): Midshipman John G. Campbell said tina
5 he had heard Roberts ordered under tn
I table by Foster. This was the first wit
It ness besides Roberts who said directl
5. that Foster had given the order to &c
e under the table