The Washington herald., 1922-12-02
ADMIRAL PUT
0N.DEFENSE|N
!. ORGY INQUIRY
Navy investigators of Middies'
Ball Drinking Hole First
Trial Session at Annapolis
Superintendent CALLED
Denies Any Personal KnowI-
edge of Liquor at Dance
Following Army-Navy Game

ANNAPOLIS, Md, Dec. l.
Investigation of the drinking orgy
On the part of midshipmen at the
Army-Navy football game in
Philadelphia last Saturday virtu-J
ally has assumed the aspects Of a
trial of Rear Admiral Henry b.
Wilson and other officials of the
Naval Academy.
HOLDS FIRST SESSION.
This developed when the board Of
investigation detailed by Secretary
DENLY held its first session here
this afternoon.
Admitting that as superintendent
of the academy he had directed
supervision over arrangements for
the trip, but that he knew nothing
of the reported drinking at the ball
held at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel
at night, Admiral Wilson testified
a. the first witness. Admiral VIII
son was informed by the board.
through Rear Admiral Ashley II
ARobertson. its president. that his
status before the inquiry is that OF
an Interested party" or defendant.
and as such he is entitled to be
present at all sessions, or to have
representatives or counsel there.
NAMES REPRESENTATIVES.
He replied that his duties would
prevent his Gegular attendance and
asked the board to recognize Capt
John j. Hallisan and Lieut.. Mahlon
8. Tisdale as his official representa-
tives.
Admiral Wilson in his testi-
mony stated that he did not at
tend the ball but returned 10 An
napolis after the game on account
Of the illness of Mrs. Wilson
Speaking of alleged misconduct at
the dance he said that it was the
duty of any naval officer present.
whether or not he was attached
to duty at the Naval Academy. to
report any improper conduct. The
only formal information he re-
ceived on the subject came
through Secretary DENLY. he said.
On the other hand. he said he had
Rceived a number of unsolicited
communications. written and oral.
from persons who attended the
conducted in porper style.
DUTY OF OFFICERS.
He said that midshipmen dur
ing the trip, were expected to
conduct themselves in accordance
with Naval Academy regulations
The ball. he said. was arranged
entirely by the midshipmen and
was an invitation affair. The
Middies were on leave. he ex-
planned. and officers who attended
the function were not there in an
| official capacity.
Others called as witnesses were
Commander Thomas r. Kurtz, COM
| mandant of Midshipmen and head
Of the discipline department. and
Midshipman George Castera, OF
California. chairman of the hon
committee. Commander Kurtz said
that the Midshipmen Sunday after
noon turned up in time and in good
order. He said requests for 464 OF
the regiment to go to New York
after the game were granted. and
147 others were let go to either Bal.
timore or Washington, to visit
friends.
kEFT BALL EARLY.
The hall. he said. was a subscrip-
ftion affair. and cost the students
~ 200. Commander KurtZ said that
he only attended until about
O'Clock, and he did not notice any
disorder. The ball continued until
in the morning.
Midshipman Castera told the
board that no misconduct came un-
der his observation. with the excep-
tion of two students who appeared
untidy with their hair mussed up,
whom he directed to leave the floor.
Rear Admiral Ashley H. Robert
son is senior member of the investi-
eating body. Other members are
Rear Admiral s. :. Robinson and
Capt. Sinclair Cannon. Capt. John
T. Tompkins is recorder
The board adjourned for the week
to recOnvene again Monday.