Evening star., 1937-02-14
RIGID TESTS GUST
135 M|DSH|PMEN
D. c. CoIored Youth Among
Students Failing to Pass
Examinations.

One hundred and thirty-five bud
ding naval officers failed to weather
the storm of rigid examinations at
the Naval Academy, and Secretary
Swanson yesterday accepted their
designations, among them James Lee
johnson, jr., only colored midship-
man, of 1887 S street.
In Johnson's class, the fourth. cor
responding to freshmen at civilian
colleges, 81 failed to make the grade.
In addition to the 1875 who will never
pace the quarterdecks of battleships
as naval officers, six additional mid
shipmen saw the proverbial handwrit-
ing on the wall and submitted their
designations previously, officials said.
One midshipman who would have
graduated in June, failed to measure
up to the requirements, five in the
second class and 48 in the third class,
making a grand total of 141.
Appointed by Mitchell.
The Naval Academy, which has
never had colored graduate, prior
to Johnson's admission last Summer,
saw its last colored midshipman in
1874. johnson was appointed by the
colored Representative of Chicago, Ar
thur w. Mitchell, Democrat.
The Representative. reached yes
terday afternoon, declared: Il haven t
anything to say just now, but will have
statement some time next week."
At present, Capt. Chester W. Nimliz,
acting chief of the Bureau of Navi-
CATION Navy Department, in the ao-
sence from the city of Rear Admiral
AdolphuS Andrews, said yesterday that
141 designations represent the largest
due to examinations. At the same
time, he made it clear the Naval Acad :
emy now has its greatest peace time
student body. In October there were
1923 midshipmen, but since then a
few designations have reduced that
number Only once before were there
as many midshipmen in Annapolis as
at present, and that was during the
World War, when 2,499 were recorded.
Academic Board Is Judge.
All found deficient in their studies
or who fail to pass the physical tests
are permitted to resign. Capt Nimitz
asserted that under the law, the Aca-
demic Board at the Naval Academy is
the judge of the scholastic standing
When the Academic Board is no longer
willing to vouch for their standing in
their studies, midshipmen are per-
mittef to resign. If they do not, they
are dropped by the authorities. but it
has never been necessary to resort to
this drastic action. The usual course
was followed, he said. in the case Of
the 14l now leaving the Naval Acad-
emy, all having submitted their resig-
nations, including johnson.
Secretary Swanson lost no time in
accepting the designations yesterday.
Acceptances should be in the hands
OF those concerned early this week.
Former Representative Oscar De
Priest, eolored, also of Chicago, nom
mated as midshipmen Emile Holley
and Edward Weir likewise colored, but
they failed to pass the entrance re-
quirements. Weir's eyesight was con-
sidered defective.
Rear Admiral David F. Sellers. sup
erintendent Of the Naval Academy, as
serted Johnson had too many dement's,
deficient eyesight and had failed in
English.
Navy Department records reveal
there were only three colored midship-
men previously. They were James H.
Conyers, Alonzo McClennan and Henry
Edwin Baker, jr. From South Caro-
lima Conyers was appointed on Sep
tember 81, 1872, but due to deficiency
in his studies he resigned November
IL, 1873. Likewise from South Caro-
lima, McClennan was appointed a cadet
midshipman on September 25, 1873.
He resigned on January 7, 1874, ION
account of being badly deficient in
studies
Baker, named from Mississippi on
September "a. 1874, was dismissed on
November 4, 1875, for applying a very
profane and vile epithet to a cadet
midshipman at the mess table"