The Washington times., 1908-07-25
May Come Up for Disobe-
dience If They Escape
Hazing Penalty.
SECRETARY WRIGHT
HEARS THEIR PLEA
West Pointers, After Telling Story,
Go to Respective Hotels to
ae Await Results.

The eight West Point cadets who
came to Washington to invoke the aid
OF the powers that be against their ex-
pulsion for nazing now fear that they
have stepped from the frying pan mo
the fire, for in coming to the Capita,
they acted In direct disobedience Of the
orders Of Col Hugh L. Scott. superin-
tendent Of the Military Academy. Aware
Of the penalty 10 which they had made
themselves liable, even il they were
absolved on the charge of hazing
''plebes," they sought Obscurity when
they reached this city. and We're I'm the
city for twenty-four hours before their
presence was known. Only one Of them
wore the conspicuous gray uniform.
Admits Disobedience.
This was admitted by one Of the ca
diets yesterday. when he pleaded that
their presence in Washington be not
published as It would result in charges
Of disobedience in addition TO their other
troubles. According to his statement
they were suspended and ordered TO
their homes awaiting action by the Sec
rotary of War. Instead Of separating
and going to their homes in different
parts Of the country they came in a
body TO Washington and sought out
their Congressman and others OF infiu-
ence.
Senator Tick has been retained to
present the cadets case to the War
Department. William Male. jr-, of
Culpeper, Va. a third class man. and
his father. Gen. William Male. called
on the Senator YESTERDAY
Should they be successful in secur-
ing reinstatement on the hazing charges
it is possible that they viii be called
up on the charge of willful disObedience.
which is a grave Offense at the Acad-
envy.
Thinks Affair Magnifed.
One Of the cadets declared to a Times
reporter that the affair has been great
" magnified. and that the form Of haz-
ing which they administered to the
yearlings was not real hazing at all
"Of course, it would be disrespeCtfuI
Of me to talk about the affair."" said the
cadet, so 1 won't" He evidently n cant
It, bur he fairly itched to give his own
side of it, At last he could restrain
himself no longer.
why. say" he exclaimed. there is
as much difference between real hazing
and the baby stunts those yeariings did
as there is between ping pong and a
football game. Every one Of us have
undergone far worse.
And we are not expelled. either. as
the newspaper reports have it. We were
just suspended and ordered home, pend
ing the outcome OF the affair"
Timing their call 10 catch Secretary
Wright Just after he had had lunch.
the squad marched into the Office Of the
Secretary Of War yesterday afternoon
They were a detected looking bunch Of
sons Of Mars, and as they sat in a row
and commiserated with one TO another.
they were picture Of woe. They told
the Secretary they wanted TO talk It
over, but he headed them OF by inform
ing them that he had not yet perused
the report of Colonel Scott. But he was
touched by their woe-begone counte-
pances-
Wright Hears Story.
''You lock like a right brave set OF
fellows. Now, sit down and tell me all
about it." he said, finally.
They were at home at once. Cadet
William 7. ROssell was the spokesman,
and he poured the sorrowfuI- tale into
the ear OF the war secretary. He told
the whole story, with no Discrimination,
admitting their guilt, and declaring that
he himself was the worst of the lot
Then they fled out in true military
style.
The concensus Of opinion is that If the
l.cadets are expelled nothing short OF an
act Of Congress can reinstate them. II
they are merely guilty of a slight form
of hazing. there may be a chance for
them. But II the serious charges Of
willfuI disobedience or characterization