Evening capital. [volume] (Annapolis, Md.) 1922-1981, 1922-12-12
ActIcn was Expected

al =
Acticn Was Expected
The Presidents action in dismiss
ing Hawkins and Robinson IS in com
plete accord with the recommends
ton Of Roar-Admiral Henry 3. viii
son, Superintendent OF the Naval
Academy. VINO was the converting
authority of tae court. And the modi-
foaiion OF the sentence IN the cases OF
Thomas z. Boyce. OF Mount Vernon,
Ind; Thomas J. Carey, Roxbury
Mass. and Howard c. Fish. New
York. all fret olassmen. also up
holds the academy administration
Four Other Gases Pending
That dismissal would follow as re-.
CARDS those midshipmen who were
implicated in hazing was generally
accepted here. Four other such cases
are s-ll pending. and il is generally
understood. 'hat like re eommenda-
tions have been made The offenders
are: Jack II. Kerans. Washington
d C.; John p Gilmer Jr.. san Diego
Gel; George II. Lord. Honolulu
Hawaii, and Francis w. Laurent
Wisconsin. All are os the senior
class.
That their cases have not been dis
pcsed OF is due TO the fact that the
records have been before Navy De-
portmsnt officials much shorter
time than in the cases Of Hawkins
ard Robinson.
Brutal Hazing Praeticed
Hawkins and Robinson were the
G'e. students to go to trial. and the
charges against the latter involved
hazing Of a more brutal nature than
all others. Robnson's vistim was Will
liam IL McGregor, fourth class. from
Bremerton. Washington State Evil
dcnce was adduced at the trial that
tie "Plebe" had been compelled to
perform physical exercises 10 the
point OF exhaustion; that the muscles
% the supper part of his legs were
badly strained: Shat he suffered an
organic injury that compelled him. to
50 to the hospital. He had 20 he con
yoyed in an ambulance, and then
could scarcely support himself by
crutches while testifying IN court.
The case of Hawkins involved mall
treatment OF Ralph b. Pearson, of
Pells City,. Ala. principally at mess
table. Pearson though his testimony
WIS unsupported. told that he was
dealt blow in the back by Hawkins
with his, fist and that Hawkins swore
At him because he seemed inapt lin
loarning the big Hand" mart Of an
athletic demonstration at the acad-
erays lie also said he had been conlr
pciled 10 do physical stunts" This
Hawkins denied In both cases, it de-
voioped that the %Plebes" were mo-
Tested because of their failure to give
answers TO some ridiculous questions
pertaining 70 seamanshiD.
These Not Court Marilaled
Boyce and Casey were, in way
linked with the hazing episodes by
reason of presiding at mess" tables
" Atlt NtAlttin vi tHt nNiSiHS nAtH
either practieed, orihad its origin. Adj
mfral Wilson handled their cases as
well as that of Fish. whose offense
was that of ahsenting himself from
tie academy while on duty and with
out permission on his own initiative
Gross neglect of duty was the
charge upon which Admiral Wilson
first recommended their dismissal
but It afterwards developed that there
were certain mitigating circum-
stances and manliness shown by
them. and after q conference between
Secretary DENLY and Admiral Wilson
a modification of sentence, in that
they be permitted TO continue their
naval career by dropping back 6
class. was acquiesced in by the super
intendent