New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-03
PROFESSOR CLEARS
five MIDSHIPMEN
Commander Traut Has No
Proof of Cheating in
Notes Found.
EIGHT ACADEMY MEN
HELD FOR HAZING
May Not Be Allowed on Practice
Cruise-Squadron Expected
to Sail Wednesday.
GBr rslernph TO The Tribune. ]

tBy Telegraph 10 Inc Trbuhe.I
Annapolis, July $50 much ground
WAS covered to-day by the court OF
inquiry which is probing conditions
relating to examinations at the Naval
Academy that it Is expected the prac-
tice squadron will be allowed TO de-
part for San Francisco by next
Wednesday, as desired by Secretary
Daniels. The inquiry will probably
continue for some days after that
date, as there are several officers not
attached to the squadron, Ind in
structors and civilians who are to be
called and the arguments Of the judge
advocate and counsel will consume
considerable time.
The testimony to-day covered many
phases of the subject under inquiry.
Commander Traut, head of the depart
ment of modern languages, was called
to the stand and examined by Mid
shipman w. J. Nunnally, one OF the
defendants and member of the class
which was graduated last month. Mid
shipman Nunnally was made a de-
PENDANT after Commander Traut had
testified to the finding of certain notes
relating to the examination In the
handwriting of Nunnaily on examina-
ton day. Commander Traut stated
that the notes and the answers, as
written by the questioher, differed to
such an extent as 10 cause no sus-
p.cion that the notes were used in
1 the examination room.
Instructor Clears Five Middies.
The officer made a similar statement
as to Midshipmen Struble, HOugh,
Burhen and Rogers. His statements
were regarded as very important, as
these midshipmen, with the exception
| of Hough, are held as defendants al
most entirely upon the former testl-
mony of Commander Traut that mat
ter relating to the examination, and
in their handwriting, was found out
side the examination room shortly al
ter the test. Commander Traut SAID
he had no proof whatever of any I'M
proper conduct on lhe part of these
defendants.
Midshipman Hough gave his side Of
the visit to the engineering building.
He said he had been unsatisfactory in
mechanics during the first term Of the
year and had appealed 10 Mldshlpman
Nelson for help. He said he had gone
with Nelson to the engineering build
ing to find out his mark On this oc-
casion, and on one or two others, ne
said. he had taken sheets containing
problems which covered the work o.
eha n q
planned. contained no solutions and
were used merely as a guide 20 study.
During his testimony, hOugh said, ne
had learned more from Nelson in some
subjects than he had ever learned IN
the classrooms.
Done Same as Other Received.
Midshipman Nunnally stated he had
received some Of the dope, which al
terward proved to be the actual eX-
animation in modern languages, from
Midshipman Berwind. The dope, he
said, was no greater in quantity and
no more accurate than that ne hau
received on other OCCASIONS.
An important point in the inquiry
was covered by Midshipman W. r.
Hactor, of the graduating class. The
testimony shows that only a few Md
shipmen saw the papers received by
Moss, yet the bulk Of the information
was spread among the first and sec
ond classes. Midshipman Hactor tes-
tilted that a large number Of midshlp-
men, including himself, secured the
dope from Midshipman Harrison, who
received II from Midshipman Vessel.
Eight midshipmen implicated in the
hazing which has taken place during
the last month at the Naval Acad-
envy, with about twenty others VINO
are witnesses, were brought ashore
from the practice squadron this morn
ing. Those under charges were guar
tered on the Reina Mercedes, and the
witnesses in Bancroft Hall The in
/ vestigation will not be allowed to de-
Law the start of the practice squadron.
Those mdshipmen necessary. to the
proceedings will be retained at the
academy. Admiral Fullam stated to-
day that the midshipmen from the
ships were charged With hazlng OF a
lighter nature Those quartered in
Bancroft Hall are cnder more seri-
Gus charges and will undoubtedly be
dismissed il convicted.