New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-22
Three Witnesses Tell How
Nelson Got Advance
information
SAY YOUNGER MEN
AIDED IN SCHEME
Defendant Was Leading Student
of Class Which Just
Graduated.
Il, 800 q - Tr.Annc J


velopment thus far in the investigation
irto examinations at the Naval Acad-
my was the testimony before the court
Of inquiry to-day which tended 70 show
,hs. papers had been taken systemat-
,-allv before examinations and that
vidsb.pman Ralph NJ Nelson, leading
scholar Of the class which was Gradu-
,.ed this month, was the prime mover
IN tho system and had taken younger
r,.dshipmcn as his assistants.
This testimony was given by two Of
6eers and one midshipman. They did
not make direct statements Of facts
but related stories told 10 them by
Nidshipmen Charles NJ. Rcagel and
james +. Waddell, who will he the
chief witnesses tomorrow.
Lieutenant " ". Turner told Of
conversation he had with Midshipman
,op, p HcFernan, who said that Mid
stirran Nelson had reached his hiSh
,.lsre in the class by unfair means and
'r,,b the aid Of Midshipman Reagel
had regularly obtained examination
questions in advance. Lieutenant Tur-
rer declared the shame cast on the
academy had made him feel it was his
su,v % Mace his knowledge before the
court
Nidshipman Heffernan testified ms
.~ou.ledge came through statements by
Nidshirman Reagel made frequently
IN the presence of other midshlpmen'
whose names he gave, Reagel, he said'
stated that he had often entered build
ings in company with Nelson and had
,aken advance information. Recently.
he testified Reagel said he mad gone
with Midshipman James Z. Walden IN
stead Of Midshipman Nelson
Relations Were Not Pleasant.
The witness admitted thst his rela-
lions with Reagel and Nelson had not
been pleasant. He said he had once
called Reagel liar, but the latter did
not regard that very seriously. Nell
son. he said. had threatened TO report
him whenever he could. But wheh ne
talked TO Lieutenant Turner ne thotgnI
that Nelson had been dismissed ana
the affair was at an end.
Ensign Ivan VI. Graham told OF
conversatiop with Midshipman Waddell,
who told him he had often entered
the academy buildings with Midshlp-
man Nelson and taken information 10
which they had no right
Nelson had taken several turbine
sheets" with questions 20 Sc asked IN
recitation or examinations from
drawer which he seemed 20 have no
trouble in opening, the witness SAID
Waddel had told him. Naddell also
said. according 70 Graham, that Md
sbipman James +. Moss had oLce gwen
Wadden an entire eXaUinatlon IN cal
tulus in advance Those who had been
belped by Nelson, according t. Ensign
Graham. were Ensigns Hough, Over
esch. King and Barnett, al classmates
Of the witness.
Ensign Graham said he had about 80
rer cent of the modern language eX-
animation in advance, but that he did
not suspect that II was the actual ex-
animation. He received this, he said,
from Midshipmcn Hac'or and kriher,
Of his own class. who stated they had
received il from Midshipman II. H. Har-
rison, one Of the defendants. The en-
sign testified that Ensign 2. r. Adams,
president and leader Of the last grad
uating class, had within TIE last few
DAYS made an effort TO secure the res
irnation Of the defendants who were
guilty, but that nyne had acquiesced in
his proposal.
Nelson Read dope" 20 Four.
Midshipman W. r. Nichols. of last
years fourth class, said that he and four
of his classmates went 70 Nelson's room
on the night before the examination in
Spanish and that Nelson read to them
from typewriter sheets. Nelson told
them, the witness testified, that he was
not sure the dope was good and that
II they found on getting into the eX-
animation room that il was not good,
not to be discouraged.
The prosecution questioned the wit
ness. seeking 70 couple these typewrlt-
ten sheets with the alleged stolen
copies Of the Spanish examination. The
witness, however, said he did not get
a close view Of the papers, as Nelson
kept them in his hands.
Events Of the day have united the
Naval Academy authorities in a move
ment TO convict the seven original de-
PENDANTS and 20 help the additional de-
PENDANTS clear themselves If possible,
thus indicating the position taken IN
drawing the line in the recommended
tions for dismissal.
An unusual effort is being made TO
safeguard Midshipmen Reagel and
WAddell, on HON the case against
Midshipman Nelson rests, and twenty
other midshipmen who are expected to
shed some light on the matter. These
were brought from the ships to-day,
and after being taken 70 the officers
mess were closely questioned. They
were segregated under charge OF sew
eral young officers. They are carefully
guarded tonight in Bancroft Hall;
Ensign Graham testified he had been
informed that Midshipman Nelson
made an effort 20 talk 20 Midshipmsn
Reagel after the latter had been
brought to the building where the
eourf il heinV held