The Washington times., 1906-02-24
Junior Classes Likely
to Continue the
Practice.
COURT WILL GO AHEAD
Further Cases to Be Heard
Notwithstanding Con-
gresSional Action.

ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 24.-It appears
to be certain, Notwithstanding an al
most universal belief to the contrary,
that the court-martial which has tried
a number of midshipmen on charges Of
hazing and convicted most OF them.
viii reassembIe and that a number of
midshipmen will be brought before it.
This is likely to be the case even
though the measure which has passed
the Senate becomes a law, though il is
possible that a new order detailing the
court may have TO be issued. 1t is not
probable. however, that much change,
if any, viii be made in the personnel
Of the court.
Marked for Dismissal.
This assertion IS made because un-
der the proposed law the penalty Of
dismissal remains for serious cases Of
hazing, and it is stated on authority
which, though not official, is thorough
" trustworthy, that the record Of the
board of investigation discIoses cases
Of hazing against a number of mid
shipmen quite as serious as the worst
cases which have already been tried
These WILL il is thought, be marked
by superintendent Sands for dismissal
and will. of course. avail themselves Of
their right under the bill as proposed
to ask for a Court-martiaI-
At any rate no order has been issued
TO dissolve the court. as would have
been the case if there had been no
need for its further activity. Admiral
Sands could have exercised this power
at any time and his failure TO do so,
a well as the refusal to give the dtplo-
mas TO the three members Of the grad
uating class. indicates almost conclu-
siVely that more midshipmen must face
the cOurt-martiaL
Hazing Not Dead.
In connection with the question of
whether or not hazing is dead at the
Naval Academy or only sleeping. it is
interesting to note the significance Of
the distinct refusal of the second class
10 condemn the principle OF hazing and
the refusal of the two lower classes to
take any action against it whatever.
The second class. now the senior class
at the institution. did agree TO rigidly
enforce the regulations, but made 1t
plain in their resolution that they took
this position because they regarded II
as their duty as midshtpmen officers
and not because they desired 10 see the
Although it is known to be the wish
of the authorities and of the members
Of Congress that the under classes
should follow suit, they have
failed TO do so and il is stated that
they are unwilling TO take this stand
Granting that the members or the sec
ond class are sincere, and Il IS appar-
ent that they are. the authorities have
gained to this degree, that the mldsnlp-
man officers are now on their side and
can be relied upyn to report haZing and
lighting. which has not heretofore been
the case
The point arises however. that as
only a limited number of midshipmen
office officers are on duty at at a a. time, it is
lower classes are on the lookout 10
seize opportunities to haze. will it not
be nearly as easy for them to do so
under the eyes of commissioned officers
for so many years.
Old Rates Maintained.
The upper cIassmen have made it
plain TO the Juniors that the Old rates
are still 10 be maintained. that they are
10 abjure Lovers Lane. and female So
ciety. walk on the inside of the stair
way. and do or leave undone the other
things which the unwritten law enfOrces-
with no cOerciVe force to see that these
rules are performed. some of the under
classmen are likely to forget them and
the question of how they can be made
10 keep them I'm their recollection will
arise. 1t is then that there will be a
real test of whether OF not hazing still
exists in the Naval Academy
Lieutenant Commander H A Wiley,
of the department of discipline. was
ugating Committee at the Naval Acad-
eTny this morning, and Superintendent
Sands, Commander T. G. Dewey and
Lieut. A. Buchanan were called during
the day. 1t was almost certain that the
committee will finish its work this aft
srnoon and the members viii return to
Washington
TIE committee will he given the
hOnoTS which are accorded a visiting
committee Of Congressman, which con-
sist of the turning out of "A battalion
and four ruffleS Of Fl I'D music