New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-24
Had Full Test in Advance
Several Dismissed for
Same Offence.
ASSERTS FAVORITES
WERE TIPPED OFF"
One Man Had Key to Every De.
partment-Forty.five Made
Unlawful Entries.

annapolis, Md, June 23.--Midship-
man Karl Keller, Of the second class,
testified this afternoon before the
court Of inquiry that he had seen and
made use OF copy Of the paper re-
ceived by Midshipman James Z. Moss,
which afterward proved to be the Of
fetal examination prepared in modern
languages.
The statement caused surprise. be-
calse the Naval Academy authorities
took the ground that the use or THIS
paper was tantsmount TO guilt as every
midshipman should have recognized II
as a coming examination. Several OF
those recommended for dismissal dld
not have as strong a case against them
as Midshipman Keller made out against
himself to-day.
Keller and David Click, a classmate,
told more about the practice OF gong
about departments looking for marks
and Catching smokes" Click sald
Reagle, who testified yesterday. had
keys that would open the door OF any
department except that Of mathematics.
He gave the names OF forty-fve mid
shipmen known by him to have entered
department rooms unlawfully. Both
mdshipmen insisted that they had
never taken any kind of information.
Midshipman William II. Hopkins.
roommate Of Reagle, opened a new
and important line Of investigation
when he testified that Reagle had
given him Information that turned out
to be a large part Of the examination
in English. Testimony has been gwen
that the English department mad been
robbed, and the existence Of advance
information suggested possibility OF
connecting the secret visits or the mia {.
Simmer with the theft Hopkins said
it was understood that favorltes OF
the athletic coaches and officers often
got examinations in advance, although
he could give TO definite information.
The attack was again directed on
Midshipman Ralph Mex. Nelson OF
the last graduating class, who was on"
Of those recommended for dismissal
Midshipmen william c. Wade ana
Cleeman Withers, members OF last
years fourth class, told OF beng
coached in French by Nelson shortly
before the examination. IL is the the
DRY of the government that Nelson
after finding that one OF the papers
received by Moss was the examination
for the first and second class, obtained
the fourth class examination from NM
and used it az the basis for the help
he gave the "plebes."
Nelson contends he had been IN
formed. that the examination had been
changed, and regarded the first examl..
natio, as a mere model of what sort Of
examination might be expected. Wade
and Withers stated that Nelson mad
shown them some dictation about a
trip to Baltimore, a question which was
actually on the original examination,
but had told them that they would
probably not get it, but that the work
would help them.
The witnesses said Nelson did not
ask secrecy pledges, and nothing was
done to indicate he was using improper
material. Withers stated that he had
never he ,rd that Nelson owed has hign
standing to dishonest practices.
Captain Russell. president OF the
court made a strong effort during the
day to keep the inquiry within lines
close TO its purpose and ruled out a
number { questions asked by counsel.
He stated that the inquiry might last
until doomsday unless it kept more
closely to the lines indicated by .he
precept
By order Of Superintendent Fullam,
at the suggestion of the court, the
close restrictions on the seven mid
shipmen original defendants have been
greatly relaxed, and they are allowed
more opportunities for recreation and
consultation with counsel and wit
neSSeS