The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-08-03
DISCIPLINE RUINED.
SAYS WEST POINTER
Reinstatement of Cadets Re-
moves Power of Officers to
Prevent HaZing.

NEW YORK. Aug. 3.-"The law that
cadets found guilty of hazing shall be
Hummarily expelled from the Military
Academy. There was no alternative for
the board Of officers. after their careful
investigation OF the charges recently
brought against eight students, but to
recommend that they be dismissed. To
enforce discipline in the face Of Presi-
dent RooseVelt's action in reinstating
these young men SENS a hopeless task"
An army officer with the highest mil
itary standing, and who is directly con-
nected with the military school at West
Point, thus made known the view that
is taken Of the Presidents change Of
attitude in reinstating the admittedly
guilty cadets after having once ordered
their dismissal
This latest action of the President
multiplying. as 1t does, the execution of
a law which he signed himself, has Gre
ated nothing less than CONSERVATION
among the officers and men who have
the best interests OF the army school at
heart. Speculation as 70 the final out
come IS running high, and none could
be found at West Point who did not
think a serious mistake mad been made.
Elf the instructors at the Academy
are to be deprived Of the support Con-
gress affords through its power TO enact
suitable laws, It viii be impossible TO
maintain the discipline such as mas
made the institution famous the world
over" continued the army officer. THE
situation is aggravated by the fact that
the students who were suspended pend
ing the action Of the Secretary of War
and the President had confessed that
they We're guilty Of the charge Of haz-
ing.
Now President Roosevelt says they
must be reinstated. In this case what
becomes OF the law? No punishment
team be administered after the cadets in
question come back 10 the institution,
as the law does not provide tor a modi-
fed penalty.
The officers in charge OF the school
Will be compelled 10 rs-enter the eight
men when they come back on the same
basis as a student who has been away
on Turlough, unless the Secretary OF
War takes 1t upon himself 20 order
some light punishment.
The effect upon the general discipline
OF the school cannot be other than detri-
mental. It removes absolutely the pow
er or the instructors 10 prevent haZtng
and viii be an incentive TO other stu
dents 10 violate disciplinary rules.
which are as necessary in an army
school as the book Of tactics"
Treated Lightly at Cyst Bay.
Not one of the officers at West Point
can afford. they say, 20 enter an open
controversy. as TO whether or not the
President has assumed the right or the
wrong position. The law which prevents
an army or navy official from comment
ing publicly on official rulings binds
them TO silence. At the same time none
were found who were not willing to dis
euss the matter privately.
The general impression prevails that
the President has given his approval TO
an act Of characterization, OF which the
students We're guilty when they went 20
Washington to intercede with Secretary
statutes. 1t is also pointed out that the
entire matter was treated lightly at
Washington and oyster Bay.
The eight cadets who have been rein
stated are William 7. Rossel, an ap-
pOintee-at-large, who stood sixth in the
first class, and Harry @. Weaver, of IL
hnois, also a member OF that class;
George W. Chase, jr., of New York;
William Male, jr., OF Virginia; Byron
@ Jones, OF New York; William W
Prude. Jr-. OF Alabama: Isaac Spalding,
of Oklahoma, and James Gillespie. OF
Pennsylvania, all members of the fourth
class.
Col. H I. Scott, superintendent. OF
the Academy, declined to comment on
the action that was taken on the find
ings Of the board and said that no Of
fetal notification of any nature had been
received from the Secretary Of War.