Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-08-03
THE HAzING PROBLEM
AND ITS HISTORY
As Practiced at Naval Academy
and Solved Hundreds Of Miles
Away.
DIFFICULTY OF DETECTION.
Is Due to Point of Honor That New
Men Called 'Plebes' Maintained in
Order Not to Betray Their
Prosecutors.
From Evansville. III. Jonrnal News. July 2sl
FART III.

tfrom Evansville. III Jonrnal News. July 90
PART III.
Discipline is difficult because its
maintenance is assailed by the rates.
customs and usages among the mid
shipmen that take the place of aca
demic rules. naval regulations and the
laws of Congress. The first class lays
dawn the rules, and all classes are ex-
pected and are required to obey the
unwritten law even though il flies In
the face of regulations. A first class
rate" is that a first class man must not
report another first classman for vio-
lations of regulations.
Several years ago two midshipmen,
on a Saturday afternoon, when the
corps had their recreation period. rode
bicycles to Odenton. fourteen miles
from Annapolis, boarded a train and
went to Washington. That afternoon
Assistant Secretary of The Navy Hack
EFT was on business at the Academy
and after finishing his duties asked to
see one of these two midshipmen. with
whom he was personally acquainted.
The midshipman could not be located.
The authorities thought it very strange
because the department of discipline
is expected to put its finger on any
at a moments notice.
A special investigation followed,
that resulted in the detection of the
escapade. 1t could only have happen
ed by some midshipman who was on
duty failing TO report the absence OF
the two delinquent midshipmen. He
was found. Then he boldly told the
academic authorities that he wouldnot
report classmate That is-a rate
among midshipmen who stood higher
with him than his duty to the Naval
Academy
Not 50 with Richmond Pearson Hob
son-no rates" kept him from the
performance of his duty. II was said
of him. "He would report his room
mate" ii il was his duty to do so
Many good rules and rates" obtain,
but others that find their way into the
"code" are ridiculous Following is
set of rules for pIebes:
No plebe must walk in lovers lane
unless he has his mother with him
sit on the benches on the main walk,
first classmen on the northwest bench
and second classmen on the northeast
bench.
"0n an upper classman entering a
plebe's room the plebe must stand up
and turn his face TO the wall
"Plebes must not laugh at any joke
told by an upper classman.
"Plebes must turn corners square.
They must say sir in their re-
ply to questions by upper class men.
"Plebes, on coming out of their
rooms for a drink of water, must put
on their caps and gloves and button
up their hlolses before going to the
cooler.
"Plebesm ust not look at the bulle-
tin boards of the upper class men.
"Plebes. when ordered. must wind
up thee locks of the upperc lass men.
"Plebes must go up and down stairs
in Bancroft Hall close to the wall.
"Plebes must not look upper class
men in the face"
The plebes, composing this years
class, according 20 TIE investigation
now in progress at the Naval Academy
have been compelled.
To stand face to the wall, with
arms outstretched. since ali plehes
must face tue wall as soon as an upper
class man enters his room.
To tell where they come from and 20
give a personal history of themselves.
7s.ff -. ole
on board ships in the roads of Annap-
oils composing the summer practice
squadron asking them how they liked
the cruise in the Chesapeake.
The detention in the bay was any
thing but a pleasure. and consequent
ly such an inquiry was a great offense,
and would certainly be punished when
the upper classmen returned to the
Naval Academy
To debate the question" Which Make
the Best Husbands. Married or Single
Menu"
To spell their names after the or
biography and manner of the midship-
men. For instance. standing upright
before his interrogation, the plebe
would reply in this manner: "Sir-M-
sir-e-sir-n-sir- z-sir-e-sir- -Menzer-sir."
To climb on top of his wardrobe and
make dive from it to his bed.
To get up several times during the
night TO take 4 shower hath.
10 dance, sing and make speeches.
To act as an orderly and get under
bench in the Academy grounds.
To report at gunfire. $50 D. m. at
an upper class mans room and to
stand on his head. after the Naval
Academy fashion.
To bend over chair and be spanked
IN the repartee contests in which
plebes are allowed to indulge when
Intercepted by upper class men. one
smart fourth class man proved so SUI