Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1912-01-16
An Open Letter.

To The Public:
About the first of December | was
approached by civilian who inquired
of me if had rooms to sub-rent. The
rooms had been previously adver-
tised. replied "Yes, who is iuquir-
| ing for them?' "Some midshipmen,
was the reply. / demurred, because
as am at Bay Ridge very much, !
1 preferred to rent to a private party as
a better protection to my place. how
ever, the rooms not being satisfactory
to private callers. finally consented
to rent to the midshipmen as request
ed for place to smoke and a refuge
from the streets when at liberty, and
| right here, did not think / was do
ing the slightest wrong in renting the
rooms for such a purpose as / was
told or was under the impression they
were first classmen.
| The rooms were required in time to
enjoy the holiday season. so prepared
them for occupancy about the 21st Of
! December. On the 22nd some furni-
ture was put ina night latch was
pnt on the door, the door was closed
and from that time until the raid by
the officers on the afternoon of New
Years day had not put a foot in or
seen the inside of the rooms.
During Christmas week, in passing
the door of their rooms, | noticed
suspicious smell of stimulants; shortly
afterwards | encountered two or
three midshipmen in the hall and
warned them they would have to be
very careful what they did or there
would be trouble. l understood it was
just little Egg Nogg" for the
Christmas occasion, and right here |
must confess | felt a little sympa-
thetic. l was asked to take a little
myself. l refused with the remark
that in the past had taken my share
and had given it up. This conversa-
| tion took place in the passage, their
door being open.
The situation of the rooms in ques-
tion is entirely apart from my busi-
ness and the only meeting Of the oecu-
pants was on the stairway or in the
hallway and as they were there only
about four times-to my knowledge
| during their occupancy, | saw very
little of them. Very shortly after the
raid / heard a midshipman trying to
| get in the rooms. ! told him of the
| raid, and also told him to tell his com
rades so they might defend themselves
as best they could.
Being summoned to a board Of in
quiry at the Naval Academy, | ap-
peared, conscience of my own inno-
cence of any completely in the drink
ing, at the same time feeling my dan
ger of being suspected of such.
My reluctance in giving the name
| of the only midshipman that / en-
countered that l knew by name Dos
sibly hurt my cause ; my action was
not sympathy with their doings. but
pity for the possible punishment that
would be meted out to them. | knew
midshipmen were forbidden to VISIT
places where liquor was served, but
it has never been possible to obtain
| any kind of drink on the premises |
occupy. don't allow it on the place.
and it was my intention to meet the
| midshipmen on the Wednesday of New
Year week and insist on its discon-
tinuance or vacation of the rooms
The reason did not do it at once was
that being so busy with holiday busi-
ness, could not do it without being
abrupt and | wanted to do it kindly
and with possible good results. And
for my part in this unfortunate affair.
| feel that though may be blamed.
shall never feel ashamed, for no
wrong was intended.
Signed GEO. R. BUFFHAM
Subscribed to and sworn to before
me this fifteenth day of January.
1912.
SEAL. MAMIE s. STOCKETT
Notary Public.