Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-06-08
BEGINS PROBE Of !.
GOUG|NG SCANDAL
Investigation Expected to
Uncover g-standing
System
MANY ARE INVOLVED
First Classman Asserts That Good
Dope" Had Been Given by Teacher
of Languages.

Annapolis, Md, June s-That it
was not the first time the midship-
men became acquainted with the
questions propounded by the instruc-
tors at the Naval Academy prior to
the annual examination was admit
ted by one of the junior officers, ac-
cording to the testimony at the hear
ing before the board of officers sew
eral weeks ago and which was made
public. yesterday, when the special
board of inquiry began its investiga-
tion.
All of the evidence then obtained
was read by the judge advocate fol-
lowing his reading of the precept
and became part of the record.
Another statement made at this
hearing by one of the frst-class men
was that he had heard that the
questions which constituted "good
dope" had been given out by teach
er of modern languages.
None of the many students then
examined admitted, however, that ne
knew the questions were to be SUBJ
mitted at the examination. They in
sisted they believed they were dope
or interrogations along the line OF
those bearing on the studies. They
were traced to James P. Moss, n
third class midshipman, who claimed
he had received them from source
unknown to him. They came in a
sealed envelope, and as he had re-
ceived similar communications here
tofore, the questions in every m
stance being different from those
asked, he concluded these were OF
the same character.
It developed also that the entire
graduating class had addressed
letter to Secretary Daniels in behalf
of one of the seven against whom
specific charges have been filed. They
endeavored to deliver. this to the
Secretary when he was here, but ne
could not be reached.
This was probably due to the fact
that all official communications to
the Secretary must go through rou-
tine channels, and cannot be de-
livered informally over the head OF
the next highest officer in command
The resolutions follow:
"Whereas it has come to the
knowledge of the midshipmen OF the
first class that Midshipman Nelson
was on June 2 recommended by the
Superintendent of the Naval Acad-
envy to the Secretary of the Navy for
Dismissal; and,
"Whereas we understand that the
General charge is one of fraud, and
participation in the offense known as
gouging; and,
"Whereas we are in Ignorance OF
the exact testimony adduced before
the board of investigation convened
to examine into this affair, but have
knowledge as q classmatee of the
above midshipman, and to HIM ho!c
the closest bond of comradship and
the brotherly feeling of classmates
and,
"Whereas we as body feel our
selves guilty in equal degree OF tht
offense of which he is charged a
this time, VIZ: failing to report nav
ing advanced information of the an
nual examination in modern Ian
guages.
eve members of the first class d
hereby testify to our personal KNOW
edge of the integrity and honesty o
our, classmate and we hereby unan'
mously resolved not to stand idly D,
while only he is punished for an OF
fense of which hundreds OF othe
midshipmen were guilty, but in; tn
interest of honor and justice to hir
and to other midshipmen, we urgent
" request that an exhaustive recon
sideration of the whole affair b
made
The court met yesterday in pun
suance OF, the order of the secretar