Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1915-06-15
Says Mstatemen And nsnuaOn Reflected On Him Made By
sci And In The Press So He Appeared as Witness in
Naval Inquiry This Afternoon On His
Own Initiative
investigating Body Had Sustained Defene Objection To Academy
Chief Talking With Mdshpmen Prior To Their Appearance
Before The Court Two More Mddies Made Interesting
Parties To Proceedings Today, Making l6 In ALL

Replying 10 the letter addressed TO
him yesterday by Capt. Robert l.. Rus
sell president of the naval court OF
inquiry, engaged in the proving of ir-
regularities in the examinations at the
Naval Academy. Rear-Admiral Will
liam f. Fullam Superintendent of the
Naval Academy, sent a letter to the
court, in which he expresses strong
resentment TO what he characterizes
as grossly unjust statements contain
ed in the public press, and insinua-
tions made against him in open court
in course of yesterdays proceedings
of the inquiry.
Admiral Fullam further stated in the
letter that he wished TO avoid appear
ance about the court room as far as
possible, but that he stood ready to de-
fend himself against these misstate-
ments as the commanding officer of
the Academy, and would appear as a
witness before the court to do so, if
the court saw fit to call him. The
court was cleared for consideration of
the letter, after which President Rus
self announced the decision to allowAd-
miral Fullam to appear as a witness
at o'clock, following the luncheon
recess.
Lieutenant Manley, the aide to the
Superintendent, was also directed to
appear in the same capacity. The ac-
tion of the superintendent in seeking
an opportunity TO come before court
again results from the ruling that he
should cease his interviews with mid
shipmen prior to their appearance as
witnesses at the inquiry. This ruling
was made following a request by the
counsel for the accused middies.
Two more midshipmen were today
made interested parties before the ma
val court of inquiry that is engaged in
the investigating of the gouging scan
dal and other irregularities in the late
annual examinations at the Academy.
They are George d. Rice, of West Vir-
ginia; and Robrt j. Walker, of Penn
sylvania, members of the present first
class of midshipmen.
Shortly after the court resumed its
session this morning, President Rus
sell made the announcement that ow-
ing to the nature of testimony pre-
viously given by witnesses, ii had
been decided to make them parties to
the inquiry. and, therefore, entitled
to counsel.
Both accepted George d. Price, Sr..
father of one of the accused who had
been associated as counsel at the inqui
ry for the last several days. The i'm
plication of these two midshipmen was
based upon testimony given by Com.
f. Traut. head of the Department of
Modern Languages, and of Midship-
man VIM. S. Heath, of the first class,
both of whom mentiond tn mans of the
accused as having had in their pos
session advance information pertaining
to examinations in modern languages
This makes total of sixteen midship-
or ensigns, who are now parties to the
inquiry, including the seven original
defendants who were recommended for
dismissal by superintendent Fullam.
1t developed today that when counsel
for the accused parties take up their
side of the case considerable attention
will be given TO the honor" system
which is said to have been in vogue at
the Naval Academy several years ago.
In this connection several junior Off
GERS will be summoned as witnesses
before the inquiry. This move is to
be made. il is said, to show that cases
of gouging or other unfairness were
mo 4 81 haf
a midshipman was forced to leave the
service at the instance of his class
mates. without any recourse to the
Superintendent of the Academy.
The court this morning finished
with the examination of Commander j.
T. Tomppkins. head of the Depart
ment of Electrical Engineering and
Physics. who was on the stand at the
close of yesterdays session of the
court. He gave further testimony con-
corning the precautionary measures
taken to prevent leaks from his de-
partment, although he never suspect
ed that anything like fraud would be
committed. mmanderTompkiIis told
of rumors that had been brought TO
his attention that false keys TO draw
ers in the departments being in circu-
lation and said that the name of Mid
shipman r. NJ. Nelson, one of the de-
PENDANTS, had been connected with the
rumors.
He did not remember who repeated
the rumor to him, and said that he
never paid any attention to it. Further
questioned about his trusted clerk, Mr..
II. F. LeTourneau.C commander Tomp-
kins said he has always regarded him
as an exceptionally valuable and cap
able man. and only recently has been
recommended for an increase in pay.
He said he held great confidence
said he held the greatest confidence