The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-03-19
LIFE'S CHIEF JOYS
DENIED MIlSHIPNEN
RECONSIDERATION
Severely Punished for At
tempt to Show Displeasure
by Maintaining Silence.
HOPS AND OTHER
PRIVILEGES CUT OFF
Superintendent Bowyer, of Naval
Academy, Takes Deter
mined Stand.

ANNAPOLIS. Nd. March 19-In an
order issued today. Captain J. NJ Bow
yer. superintendent of the Naval Acad-
envy, charactarizes as lnsubordinate the
conduct OF the brigade OF midshipmcn
In giving the officer in charge at supper
formation yesterday evening what is
known as silence"
Captain Bowyer has visited upon the
whole student body. one Of the sever
est penalties on record IN the history
OF the Academy. Every midshipmar is
practically under arrest indefinitely. and
is confined TO the Academy limits until
further notice; all the hops previously
arranged arc Cancelled and every privi-
lege Withdrawn.
Special punishment is visited upOn
the first class by nOstponing the pri,f-
leEe Of forming tie first class ,lub. IN
which thv members we're looking for
ward, and for which permission had
been granted
The severity of the penalties which
the order carries With il cannot be an
precisted by any except those who
know how rigid is the routine and how
lew the privileges Of the ruidsLfnpcr
or the United States NAVY The ban
on Jne hopS and the confinement 10 the
academy precincts means bitterness in
deed, especially To Iha FIRST class men.
upon whom the responsibility of tbs
functions In their graduating year de-
vClve.
Show Their Displeasure.
The privileges, which by the terms
OF the order are suspended are gen
eral liberty. special liberty. late hon
liberty, and visiting officers quarters
in the grounds"
The offense for which the whole
brigade of midshipmen was punished
was committed last night The mid
shipmen have conceived a dislike for
one OF the officers Of the discipline
department, Lieut.. W. BerthoIf. and
attempted 20 show their dispIcasure
by remaining silent during the period
Of taking supper. An attempt OF the
same kind was made some time ago. but
failed because some of the midshipmen
did not enter in combination and con-
versed during the meal. II is under
stood that there was an attempt TO ar
range the silence" AZ dinner yesterday,
but that the move was frustrated by
some Of the midshipmeu.
The report was generally circulated
yesterday afternoon. that the silence
would be attempted and accomplished
yesterday evening There IS no dOub-
s.
from the standpoint Of the midshipmcu
than any Of the others.
A Solemn Stiffness.
II is said that there Wes some talk
ing among the midshipn en- at the Ia
bic at which the officer IN charge sat.
bat that this was the only break in the
stiffness which hung over the usually
lively dining hail. L = said that most
Of the midshipmen refrained from eating
so that there would be no sound from
handling knives and forks
At any rate. there was a lively run
on the midshipmcn's exchange during
the afternoon, and the naval lads were
apparently laying I'm supply 20 take
the place of the supper which was moi
to be eaten.
Il is clear that a fight 10 the finish
between Superintendent Bower and his
charges is on The midshipmen can hc
very stubborn as body and hold on TO
their traditional sChOolboy privileges
ltkO grim death. SUill, times have been
known when they have been forced to
bend 10 authority, and those who have
watched the course or superintendent
B0wyer know that the midshipmen have
man OF iron with whom 70 deal
An visiting punishment upon the whole
BTtSade, Superintendent Bowyer has
taken the Onfy course open to him.
That there was a prearranCCd attempf
TO show disrespect TO the authorities
through the officer In charge cannot be
denied and that practically every mid
shlpman took part or acquiesced in ii
equally beyond question
on the other hand. the punishment Of
individuals is impossible, as there Is M
rule requiring the midshipmel to talk at
meals.
The order was read at dinner forra-
ton, and as yet the midshlpmen have
had little opportunity To talk the matter
over or formulate plan Of action