The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-22
SENSATIONAL LINE OF
EVIDENCE DEVELOPS
Midshipman Indirectly Charged With
Series of Theft, Covering Several
Years.
NAVAL EXAMINATION
GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE
Annapolis Institution Seems to Have
Been Permeated With a Mania fof
Cheating In Examinations.

Annapolis, June 21.-Judge Ad-
vocate Watts. of the court of inquiry
which Is investigating conditions re-
Iating to examinations at the Naval
Academy, developed the most sensa-
tional line of testimony which had
been produced when he placed wit
nesses on the stand this afternoon
who gave testimony tending TO con-
meet Midshipman Ralph Mex. Nelson.
one of the seven original defendants
who were recommended fer dismissal
by Admiral Fullam, with a series OF
thefts of examination papers EXTEND
ing over a number of years. Nelson
IS one Of the best students In the
class which graduated this month. but
his diploma was withheld pending the
outcome of the present investigation
and the action of the Secretary OF
the Navy.
The testimony as to Nelson's actions
in these matters was all indirect; IN
fact, such as would not be admitted
by civil courts. because 1t was hear
say. but II was received under the
liberal procedure which obtains In
courts of this kind. President Rus
sell stated the position of the court
to be that the testimony as to the
vague ruffors would not be accepted.
>3St that as the court was, not con-
duceing a trial, but an Investigation,
testimony as to direct statements o!
othzrs would be received so that the
makers of such statements could be
called upon to give first-hand state
ments.
Much Hearing \vidence.
The important testimony of the day
was given this afternoon by Lieuten-
ant William w, Turner. Ensign ]. NJ
Graham. and Mldshipman j. e. Heffer-
nan. Lieutenant Turner gave Mid
shipman Heffernan as the source Of
his statements as to Midshipman Nell
son, while Midshipman Heffernan quot
ed Midshipman G. NJ. Reagel as his
chief authority. Ensign Graham re-
lated a statement made by Midship-
man J. E. waddell, In which Midship-
man Nelson was inculpated- Neither
Reagel nor waddell appeared on the
stand this afternoon. but they are ex-
pected to be the star witnesses tomor-
row morning.
Lieutenant Turner stated that Mid
shipman Heffernan had stated to him
that Nelson had secured his high rank
in his class by securing advance In
formation on examinations. and that
Midshipman C. NJ. Raegel. who ad-
mitted being his confederate, had given
ner stated that this had been told
him privately about June 1. bat that
when he saw that the academy was
being Inundated by the statements
that were being published. he had
feft hts duty to offer himself az wit
ness, and had SO informed .Midship-
man Heffernan.
Midshipman Heffernan stated that
his information az TO the performances
OF Midshipman Nelson were based on
Reagels statements, and the general
conversation of members of his class
who belonged with him to the seventh
company. Raegei had frequently said
Heffernan stated. that he had, with
Nelson. gone Ia different academy
buildings and distracted advance In
formation. and also mentioned Nell
son recently. but had spoken OF Mid
shipman Waddeil. as his confederate
Another important statement was that
Midshipman Wade and Withers had
stated to him. that they had secured
the whole OF the recent examinations
In modern languages in advance.
Had Had Tronbte With Them.
On REORGANIZATION HeffernaT
stated that he had had some trouble
with both Reagel and Nelson, but
that MOI special feeling was against
them He said that he had called
Reagei a liar on one occasion. bu
THAT Il was nothing very unusual IL
Eaeagel.s case. and thatr Nelson swhf
was high cadet officer. had SONS
feeling against him. and had threat
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