The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-16
FULLAM BATTLES WITH
ANNAPOLIS ACCUSERS
Admiral Admits Advising Midshipmen Under Charges,
but Says 1t Was His Duty-Explains Daniels
Interview-Two More Defendants.

ANNAPOLIS. June 15.-Indignant over
the charge made by Representative Hay
OF counse for the defendants before the
court Of inquiry investigating "gouging
at the Naval Academy that he had in
Inundated and tempered with midship-
men called as witnesses. Rear Admiral
Fullam. superintendent of the academy,
made the request hat he he allowed to
appear and make a statement. Permis-
, sion was promptly given and the Ad-
miral occupied the stand during the
| whole OF the afternoon session.
He admitted giving the midshipmen
certain advice about their course be-
fore the court. but disclaimed any
thought OF influencing their testimony.
He asserted that his position as their
commanding officer made 1t his duty to
advise them.
Though cautioned by Capt. Russell.
president of the court, TO confinc his
testimony as much as possible to an
swers to questions. Admiral Fullam
claimed the right to cover what ground
he thought necessary In defence OF him
self and his administration of the acad-
envy.
MY administration has been attacked
before the country he said. and | fee
that / shout get the opportunity OF
explaining my position"
Admiral Fullam said that after Mid
shipman \. c. Rogers had been accused
he learned that Rogers had asked the
counsel for the seven original defendant
t. act for him. He thought Rogers had
placed himself in a serious position by
taking this step and advised him to con.
-. II. .a,-. a.. uh,,.t ~ ,,nttAr
lie said that Rogers had asked his ad-
vice and that he had suggested to hin
that his association with the Others
would result in his being placed under
the same restrictions.
other midshipmen. Admiral Fullar
testified. called as witnesses or named IA
defendants have received the same gen
/ eral advice by the superintndent or his
aid, Lieut.. Manley. He was emphatic In
saying that he had not suggested any
line of testimony to them and that MS
only suggestions a been those HE
he felt impelled to make by his sense OF
duty toward them
Representative Carlin OF counsel for
! the defendants was the only questioner
of Admira Fullam outside OF the presi.
dent of the court. The examination COW
cred not only the matter Of the caution
ing witnesses but n meeting of Officers
OF the academy. which Mr.. Carlin un-
derstood to have been a conference &c
arrange a curse of action In connection
with the investigation, and Admiral Full
lam's interviews with Secretary Daniels
In which the cases OF seven midshipmer
recommended for dismissal were dis
cussed.
Admiral Fullam said that the meeting
was a regular meeting of the academic
board and that the subject of the in
quiry was probably discussed in an in
formal way, but that no general plar
OF action was outlined.
Mr.. Carlin tried 10 bring out tina
Admiral Fullam had sought to impress
Secretary Daniels with his view of thu
case In advance OF the action of th'
court. The Admiral said that he hat
an interview with Secretary Daniels anC
that N had urged upon HIM the impor
lance of upholding the measures take
for the maintenance OF discipline an
high standards of honor at the academy
He defended this course as being propeI
when his administration had been at
tackled and denied that any d!srespec
to the court had been intended or com
mitted.
Then you did not say that you woult
resign from the navy unless Secretary