New-York tribune., 1908-08-02
CADETS RE[NSTATED
EXPULSION TOO SETERE.
President Leares Punishment of
Test Point Hazers to Colonel Scott.

-ovster Bay Aug 1.-Concluding that the dis
-,issal from the United States Military Academy
81 West Point Of the eight cadets found guilty
IF hazins would be toe severe punishment for
.he offences they committed President Roose-
,-.,- and Secretary Of T--ar Wright to-day de-
rfded that the eight vo-.- men should be rein
stated 10 their classe 4,.d other disciplinary
punishment be inflicted upon them by the super
trfendent OF the academy.
These eight young men. William T. Rossell, an
ennointee-at-large an honor man in the first
clsss and Harry G. Weaver. of Illinois. also a
member of that class: George w Chase, jr, Of
New York: William Male. jr-. of Virginia;
Pvron O. Jones. OF New York William W.
p-ude II. Of Alabama; Isaac Spaiding. OF Okla
bon,s. and James Gillespie. Of Pennsylvania. all
members of the third class, at present under
suspenson. and have gone TO their homes. Their
SUSPENSION resulted from charges made by a
hoard Of investigation appointed by Colonel
Hugh L Scott. superintendent OF the military
academy.
This board found that hazing in mild form
was being practised upon the newly entered
cadets but no brutality the part Of the
hazers was disclosed. Colonel Scott suspended
the eight cadets and ordered them TO their
homes 10 await the action Of the Secretary OF
var and the President.
Instead Of obeying the orders Of the superin-
-endent and going TO their homes the eight in a
bodv proceeded TO Washington 10 make an ep-
neal 70 the Secretary Of War. Mr Wright had
-us- returned and knew nothing about the
charges against them. but listened to what they
Ls5 n say Cadet RosseIl acted as spokesman
for the party. and his frankness in telling all
that occurred won the admiration of the Secre-
-s-v Of War In the mean time the charges
had been forwarded 10 President Roosevelt with
the recommendation of Colonel Scott that the
guilty cadets be dismissed.
The President approved their dismissal but
before the order had been promulgated by the
Secretary Of War the President asked Secretary
Wright TO come TO oyster Bay and talk over the
matter with him. at the same time Feeping the
matter open
Secretary Wright, after his visit to the Presi-
dent. said today that he had gone over the mat
Ter thoroughly with the President, and that they
we're Of the opinion that the dismissal was too
severe q punishment He said that the cadets
had acted IN manly way. and had been frank
IN telling him all about the offences with which
they were charged
Cadet RosseH had declared himself responsible
for the hazing, the Secretary said.
The charge OF hazng ''pIebes" made against
them was Investigated by board OF officers COM
posed OF Colonel Howe. Captain Morton Smith
senior instructor infantry tactics: Captain
Charles J. sUnmeral. senior instructor in artn-
leTy tactics. and Captain George :. Simonds OF
the 29d Infantry.
One of he things the luckIess .plebes'' had TO
CO was 70 gather ants II they did fall in at
the hrst roll Of drums in the morning instead Of
81 ASSEMBLY, five minutes later which was all
the rules required. the penalty was imposed by
ne haze-s on each Of the 'plebes' Of collecting
one hundred ants in the company streets II the
full number returned the victim was told to
Put them away IN his locker until further orders
5uT = the total was short he ordered 10 col
lect fifty more, to run back and forth Ger
tain distance Until told TO stop Another form
Of hazins was 70 make -'plebe' hold his
against tne underside Of the table while he ate
Bracing knuckng." tagging" cleaning rooms
snd da-ning socks were also forms Of hazfng
which il was shown enforced.
After q month OF investigation the board re-
ported il favor OF the dismissal eight
cadets under the rules which make expulsion the
penalty for hazing. by actively participating in it
or encouraging and countenanciHg il. Steps were
taken AZ once 10 secure remission of the pen
atty as all the esght popular with their
fellows, one being a lea1iag football player.