The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-28
MIDDIES WANT ACADEMY
TO REGAIN ITS HONOR
Continued from FIRST Page.


nal examination sheet still insist that
they did not NOV IL was a real ex-
animation paper. Opinion seems to be
against them. even in impartial quar-
tiers. 1t is asserted by the authorities
ana expressed as a belief by others. in
Guiding mldshipnen. that they ought to
nave known II was the real examination
paper.
The writer was shown the
ton paper In question. and he also saw
the sheets issued by various depart
mtnts in review month, called dope"
with which the accused claim to have
confused what they saw. II would seem
to have been very dif1cult for any one
familiar with academic routine to con-
fuse the two.
The examination sheet was of white
paper with purple mimeograph ink. At
the top was a heading and date at the
bottom the time allowed and the hour
when the bells would ring. TIE aues-
tons were arranged in groups, each con-
tanning several questions. groups and
questions both being numbered.
Several testified that the heading OF
the sheets they saw had been cut of and
mat they thought therefore IL must b.
an ola examination or Just dope" This
Is by the statement that as no
one would have u reason for removing
the head OF an old examination paper
Its absence alone ought to have been re-
sarded as a suspicious circumstance
others said they did not notice the
line at the bottom giving the time and
bell hour. but as there is hardly an
'lshth OF an inch between the last line
OF the last question and the time and
pell line. II Is held that no one could
iall 10 see the latter II he read the last
question.
IL is true, however. that only two
or the four examination papers caught
'nis iast lhe from the mimeograph ma
chine. Finally, the las, question itself
called for a description of the trip of
midshipmen to Baltimore Ia September
OF last year. and hence could no, have
peen on an examination paper Of former
years.
These are the reasons why the author
lties hold that those who saw the orig
inal sheet had guilty knowledge. Their
Vie" gets It's strongest support from
the fact that m"ldshipmen told THE St.S
nan privately that they felt sure that
no class men could have failed 10 recog-
hlze the examination sheet. though tech-
nically IT might he shown that the con-
trary was possible.
The Court Of Inquiry.
II was the raising Of this issue which
led to the suspension OF Admiral Full
Jams recommendation for dismissal NJ
the original seven, brought about a court
OF inquiry and the appearance of what
Is termed political influence" in the
in the proceedings OF Rep
resentatives Hay and Carlin OF virginia
and other civilians.
Midshipman Moss. the third class man
who distributed the papers TO a few
friends. is the son Of Robert Moss OF
regarded as the leading Grim
lnal lawyer OF southern Maryland and
a man OF no little political influence in
the region. When he learned his son
was In trouble he went 10 Admiral Full |
in great distress and among other
things asked II his son would be per-
to resign. He was told that
depended on the results OF the investiga-
ton and the findings OF the board.
Moss was included in the seven recon-
nended for dismissal on the ground that
thelr onence was too serious to permit
Of their being allowed 10 resign.
Meantime the aid OF Senators Blair
Lee and John Walter Smith OF Marylan nd
invoked by Mr.. Moss in behalf Of
son. and Representatives Carlin and
Hay OF Virgins soon appeared TO look
after the Interests OF Midsummer Har-
and Evans Of their state.
Secretary Daniels personally held an
Informal hearing at Annapolis and was
urged TO order a court ,
n inquiry on the basis OF the defence
by the defendants and counsel,
IA mely, that they did not have guilty
and II they did scores OF
others had knowledge equally as guilty.
The long distance telephone and teie-
graph lines TO Mr.. Daniels's Office in
Washington were kept busy and the
President was seen. with the result, tina:
court was ordered and the recommen-
lation OF Admiral Fullam and his board
" inquiry temporarily shelved.
From this action Of the SECRETARY the
trouble" began The Secretary is be-
ng condemned on all sides as the one
'esponsible for the painful developments
hat followed. Even those who besought
he Secretary 10 take this action assert
he "~bungled" the situation. thai he
$ the tool OF Admiral Fullam and that
le could have settled the whole thing ,
'ut of hand with his own authority.
The academy authorities on the other
land feel hat they fulflled their duty in
he regular way. that the evidence
howed the seven defendants guilty and
hat their dismissal should have followed ,
he academy's recommendation made in
Iue order. that "A court OF inquiry was
either the necessary nor tho usual pro-
Their troubles in this respect
hey attribute TO political influence"
The midshipmen feel that had not the ,
curt been ordered the seven would have Z
zen dismissed and the whole academy
you'd not have been held up 10 the coun- I
~ as a nest of corruption and th.every. 9
he laval service as a whole feels much I
he same way. s
Mr.. Daniels or the other hand is TN =
erstood TO nave ordered the court of .
inquiry on the ground that unless he did =
o the members OF Congress Interested c
'ould have brought about an investiga-
lon by Senate or House next winter. I
lie felt II better for the navy to conduct c
IS own court. to do such housekeeping T
: might be necessary Al Annapolis /
han that the institution and its admin I
'tratlon should be placed wholly at the
,ercy OF n Congressional inquiry.