Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-19
DISCUSS TOBACCO, DRILL
AND RESPECT TO FLAG
AT MORNING SESSION

The morning session of the Whittier
inquiry was conducted in the presence
only of the board Of charities, Super
intendent Greeley. one witness at a
time and the newspaper reporters.
Capt. L. E. Wade testified that he
reported Capt. Vegely for intoxication,
but that the superintendent took no
notice Of it.
Superintendent Greeley made a
statement here that Vegely was dis
charged for intoxication.
Erasmus Perkins, whom Superinten-
dent Greeley accused of being drink
ing man, was recalled at his own re-
quest and stated that he never took
drink on the Whittier grounds.
Capt. Charles A. Van Derpool testi-
fed that the discipline here was not
so good as at the state school in which
he formerly served.
Capt. A. E. Lynch, commissary
clerk, said there is no discipline among
the cadets. He denied that he had
spoken profanely toward them.
He admitted that he may have said,
Il won't stand any more of your
damned insolence," but no more.
Cole Defends Himself
Mai. Truman Cole, military instruc-
that he knew Of any boys drinking Oh
of any supply kept in the school.
He denied that he had any arrange
ment with Capt. Coan and Chef Z. %
White TO bring any liquor to the
school, adding:
"As you and others know, 1 was not
on friendly terms with Capt. Coan."
Maj. Cole said he was not tobacco
chewer in the sense that he made q
~ nnna GfnnallW he kent a
piece of tobacco in his mouth, but did
not expectorate nor did he ever keep
tobacco in his mouth during school
hours or office hours.
Mai. Cole admitted to Secretary
Gates that he smokes, but not on the
grounds.
some of the boys in the school use
tobacco" he said. Il suppose they
know | do. We have not yet been
able to break up the tobacco habit in
the school, but I think we will be
able to-"
Takes Fling at Captains
Here Maj. Cole took a fling at the
military men who said the discipline
was poor, by saying that these wit
nesses know nothing about military
drill themselves.
Several board members expressed
interest in how military discipline
works.
Mai. Cole said that when he frs
came to the grounds he selected one
of the cadets as his adJutant, as IL
done in army work, and arranged fol
proper salutes and replies.
when the companies were to ap-
pear the first time l found there was
a mutiny," said Maj. Cole.
1.-THE officers sent me word that they
would salute no convicts and threat
ened to prefer charges against me
with the principal because l asked
them to observe military courtesies.
Witness said his authority applies
only during battalion drill, which Il
held once a week, and to the individual
company which he commands.
Altogether Maj. Coles testimony wal
pleasing to the Desmond side, as i
showed that Superintendent Creole,
permitted the subordinate Officers
much liberty.
Officers Lack Patriotism
One point made by the witness wal
of interest. He said that in the even
ing when the flag is hauled down ar(
retreat is sounded the cadets all stanC
at attention wherever they happen Il
| be when the bugle sounds, but thu
officers pay no attention to it.
Last Sunday when the band played
america" and the bugle for retrea
sounded the cadets could be seer
standing at attention all over thu
grounds, but the captains and othel
officers lolled around on the grounds
| ignoring the general practice Of respec
! for the flag.