The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-11-18
HAzINC ENDED AT
NAVAL ACADEMY
Old-Time Custom Is
Minimized by a
New System
X ULES CHANGED

AhC hdNui uSuuciuy at AuQdpOllS 10
the object of national attention
through the cases of two midshipmen
of the new fourth class, who attempt
ed to take their lives.
So far no fact has been brought to
light which would connect the plight
of either Settler or Wetherstine with
hazing nor indicate, that 1t exists now
to a greater degree than at other
times. On the contrary Rear Admiral
A. 81. Scales, after a thorough inves-
tigation. is convinced that there is less
hazing than there had been for years.
At the beginning Of the academic
year, Admiral Scales let the discipline
officers, and also the midshipmen Off
GERS, know he would not countenance
the slightest hazing. He was assured
that the midshipmen officers would do
all they possibly could to carry out his
wishes. Admiral Scales had confidence
in the word of these young meq,. Mid
shipmen Of the first class can prevent
hazing at the academy If they wish to.
They insist that they are opposing it
and that there is no hazing.
Changes in Discipline.
Certain changes in the system OF
discipline were put into effect by Ad-
miral Scales at the beginning of the
year. The number Of dement's assign
ed for different offenses was diminish
ed by about 20 to 30 per cent as
rule, but stricter supervision was pro-
vided, so reports became more fire.
quent, at least at first, and system
of "walking-off'' dement's and confine-
ments to quarters was inaugurated.
These features are like the practice
at the military academy. ~
A high degree of responsibility has
been placed upon midshipmen officers.
who are members of the first class.
Throughout the history of the naval
academy the policy of heads Of the in
stitution has differed as to RESPONSE
bilities of midshipmen officers, as also
has the attitude Of midshipmen them
selves. At times custom has tolerated
a considerable degree of liberality on
the part of these upper classmen to-
ward the lower class, and midship-
man officer who reported too strictly
became unpopular with his own class
mates as we'll as with the lower class
men.
Admiral Scales believes in holding
midshipmen officers to strict RESPONSE
bility. Rigid enforcement Of regula-
lions would be impossible any other
way, with 2,1O0 midshipmen quartered
in one Of the largest buildings Of the
world, containing five and half miles
of corridors It would be impossible
for the officers of the executive de-
partment to make supervision effective
throughout the quarters.
Methods adopted by Admiral Scales.
which every member Of the navy con-
tingent knows to be the only effective
method of combating hazing and kin
dred practices. have led to consider
able criticism.
High Standards.
Many midshipmen do not like the
high standards that have been set nor
the authority which has been given
to midshipmen officers, nor do they find
walking off demerits and confinement
to quarters pleasant. AT this time Of
the year dissatisfaction always crys-
tallizes at the naval academy, and
perhaps the institution is more stirred
now than usual. "The whole world Ii
stirred, as matter Of fact" an officer
said recently, land the naval academy
is no exception"
Exaggerated rumors have spread,
It has been said midshipmen have been
penalized until they will have no priv
ileges for six months. This has been
denied by officials. It has been said
that the number Of designations is be-
yond anything ever known. There is
truth in this, but most of them are
from the present third Glass; the largc
est ever entering the academy. Many
Of them came in under the excitement
Of the war and have lost interest In
the service since peace.
If the secretary Of the navy orders
an investigation of the academy 1t WIZ
show that Admiral Scales has taken
the only method likely to prove effec-
tive against hazing. All experience
has shown that it cannot be handled
without the cooperation Of the first
class. The only other methods would
be to fill the buildings with marines
Or masters-at-arms and convert Ban
croft Hall into prison.
Midshipmen declare there is no haz-
ng but admit there is some running.
The most serious testimony is the
statement of Midshipman Henry G.
Wetherstine, who drank iodine. He
'ays he was required to answer ques-
ions and do physical stunts and that
lis classmates were required to do the
;ame.