Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-06-30
MYSTERY SURROUNDS
SENDER OF PAPERS
Naval Court Unable to Uncover
This Important Point.
MIDSHIPMAN MOSS TESTIFIES.
Others Who Saw the Good Dope, -
Also Give Evidence in Examina-
ton Frauds Today.

For an hour and half more this
morning Midshipman James +. Moss.
the pivot in the dissemination OF ad-
vance information. that proved 10 be
genuine, and wound up in the com
mission of fraud in the late annual eX-
aminations at the N4ya Academy,
gave additional evidence before the
naval court of inquiry that has been
investigating such matters for three
weeks and over.
And despite a variation Of questions
put 10 him by the Judge Advocate, the
source from which the papers were
| sent to him through the mail is still
deep mystery. Throughout the grill.
ing" this morning and the two hours
he was examined yesterday. Young
Moss remained steadfast on the point
| that he knows nothing concerning the
sender of the paper, and he is like
wise as firm that he did not enter
tain the slightest suspicion that the
parpers contained the actual exam
ination questions
Holding that he has been subjected
TO harsh treatment since he has been
under arrest in connection with the
present scandal. and that the strain
has been severe on his mentality to
the point of having material effect
upon him in making his defense was
among the additional evidence given
by young Moss.
It was in reply TO a question OF the
Judge Advocate as to whether he had
anything further to say concerning his
guilt or innocence before the inquiry,
that Moss replied: Iwould like to
call the courts attention to certain
things, since / have been under ar
rest the manner in which myself and
other defendants have been treated"
Witness then related several instan-
ces, including the fact that he and his
companions have been in close con-
finement i'll a compartment below the
water line of the station ship Reina
Mercedes, and not allowed to see any
one; that they are compelled to sit at
separate"mess" table;"fall in" with
separate squad at formations at Ban
croft Hall; also what he deemed as
hostile treatment at the hands of the
officers in charge Of them.
Moss also said that they had been
allowed a separate room in which to
consult counsel; that the door if this
room was subsequently removed. and
he believed this to be none other than
an act that would permit anyone to
hear what transpired in the room He
also told of an incident that happened
few days ago since the hazing dis
closures were made, when he and the
other defendants upon going 10 the
room set apart for them found a
'plebe" was in there alone. and he gave
it as his belief that this was a trap"
set for them by some one
Moss was also asked whether he
ever was party to the raids made on
any of the academic departments for
the purpose of securing advance in
formation on the markings of midship-
men. He said he never engaged in
any specific lark. but told OF an oc-
casion when he. in company with Mid
shipman T. w Harrison, and +. H.
Jones, while walking about the Acad-
emy grounds. on a Saturday night two
or three days after the examinations
had been completed, they met Midship-
man Reagle, who told them he was on
his way to one of the buildings to pro-
cure marks, and that they sat on the
steps at one end of the corridor, while
Reagle proceeded on his mission
Moss, pressed as to his belief for the
reason why the heading Of the papers
received by him were cut off. replied
that at the time he did not give the
matter consideration, but now he is of
the opinion that it was done to con-
ceal their identity.
Secretary of the Navy Daniels has
sent forth an edict TO get the ships of
the practice cruise squadron off by
July z. and President Russell. Of the
court, further announced this morn
ing that every effort will be made to
expedite the inquiry as much as pos
sible. without, however, impairing the
rights of any of the parties to the
/ inquiry.
After Moss left the stand. the court
began the examination of AIidshipmau
VESSELS, one of the several defend
ants. who received the advance infor-
nation from Moss Vessels said he
also got good dope" from other
sources, but otherwise his testimony
was in the nature OF connecting links
IN the evidence given by Moss.
Before the luncheon recess was taken
Midshipman T " Harrison. Jr. a
classmate of Moss. went on the stand
Harrison, it seems. knows a good deal
about papers received through the mail
by Moss, because the latter talked with
him. and furthermore, one of the pa-
pers remained in Harrison's room
where, il is said. a number of other
midshipmen were enabled to make !
copy Of the questions.
Like Moss and Vessels. Harrison
testified as to the character of the ma
pers. but said he had no knowledge
as 10 who might have sent them IA
Moss, because he did not talk OF this
phase of the matter, and also that he