New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-09-30
CADETS GRIEVANCES
AGAINST CAPT. LONGAN
One Tells of Alleged lndignltles
to Which They Were
Subjected.
TRUTHFULNESS QUESTIONED
Made to Do Punishment in Rain,
While the Captain Looked On
from Shelter, Says Balti-
more Letter.

Baltimore Sept GA statement of
the cadets side Of the existing trouble
at West Point. as a consequence of
which the entire corps is under restric-
lions. was given in a confidential letter
from one of the cadets TO a friend in
this city. who said tonight:
The cadets alleged that Captain Lon
gan started out at West Point by say
ing: This here corps has gone to hell.
I'll make EN- buck up
The trouble was cumulative. First, on
the target range though it is by order
that the cadets as a protection from the
conclusion of the guns, put cotton in
their ears. Captain Longan accused them
of stufTing their ears with cotton so that
they would not hear his commands. The
Young men were surprised. but said
nothing
Second. the cadets say that he 'cussed
out one of the finest men in the first
class.
Third. when Cadet Burt. first class
man, returned from his brothers funeral.
he himself having appendicitis at the
time. he went twice TO Captain Lon
gan's office to report Each time Cap
tain Longan was absent at the officers
club. Accordingly, Cadet Captain Brad
lev of the corps. officer Of the day and
next in command. inspected Burt's bag
gage. took his money and contraband
and sent him TO the hospital. Next day
Burt was operated on. and was also
reported three times by Longan. Brad
ley told Captain Longan the circum-
stances. but the captain would not be-
lieve him and started in on a TRADE
against Burt.
Fourth. one of the cadets visited
Longan thought enormously that it was
a first class man. whereupon he report
ed the wrong man. The first class man
explained in writing that the report was
a mistake. Captain Longan. calling him
up. said: I don't believe what YOU say
in your explanation. You've got to prove
your statements One inviolable rule OF
West Point is that when a cadet gives
his word of honor it is always taken
without question. No greater affront
can be put upon a cadet than to ques-
ton his veracity.
THE final grievance was when Cap
tain Longan made area birds walk in
the rain. Under this form of punish
ment cadets have to walk with their
guns two hours on Wednesday afternoon
and four hours on Saturday afternoon.
It is the immemorial custom that they
can walk on the stoop of the barracks
when it rains. But Captain Longan
lined them out in the downpour he being
under cover, dry and smoking a pipe.
and said: You men have got to walk in
the rain, for I'll show you who is boss
around here Moreover he refused to
let the men oil their guns, and made the
so that the cadets had to clean off rust
for days afterward.
THE first silence was spontaneous
and fairly without the element of pre-
meditated conspiracy. The men simply
refused to eat or to speak word while
Longan was in the room. 1t was wrong.
insubordinate. but human. It was a
to be tyranny. The men do not regret
their action. Their attitude is that their
code has been broken and their word
questioned.
IF every cadet is called before the
court of inquiry and asked If the above
are true he will answer ar
though not man of them
has vet consented to say more to the
court than We have formed a dislike
for this officer.
THE men resent Captain Longan's ex-
PLANTATION that he was a new man and
that the cadets wanted TO break him in,
and they feel that he has not made a
correct statement; but they have great
confidence In the Justice and common
sense of General Barry, the superin-
tendent who. they believe. will put a
different light upon the situation within
another week"