The daily times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1902-1936, 1919-12-24
SIMS DECLINES
HIS AWARD
And Criticises Secretary Dam
. iels for Manner in Which
He Bestows Favors
TO THE NAVAL OFFICERS

Wdoh1r6 IOhs DOO. 61' OOh6At~S-
siOnal Investigation into the differ
ences existing between Admiral
Sims and Secretary of the Navy Dan
iels regarding the award of the dis
tinguished service crosses will he
made, it was announced today. Sec
retary Daniels has already sent to
Chairman Page of the Senate, Naval
Committee the correspondence on
the subject and that there will most
likely be an investigation by the
House of Representatives is indi-
Gated by Representative Luskin, Re-
publican. member from Massachu-
setts, who stated that he would call
for a report ON the matter at once.
Washington, Dec. 24.-Rumblings
of dissatisfaction within the navy at
the way Secretary Daniels has ar
ranged the awards of decorations
for war service, came to the surface
yesterday when it became known
that Admiral Sims, former comman-
der of American naval forces in Eu-
ropean waters, had declined to ac-
cept his Distinguished Service Medal
while the awards remain as at
present.
At the same time, the row, which
up to this time, has been a smoul-
dering one, gave indications of
showing up in Congress. Chairman
Page of the Senate Naval Commit
tee, asked for a report on the award
ing of the decorations and Secre-
tary Daniels transmitted it to him
tive Lufkin, Republican, of Massa-
chusetts, member of the House
Naval Committee, announced that
he would ask the House to call for
| similar report.
Coming as the climax to pub
| lished charges that Secretary Dan
| 1els had rearranged the whole list
| of awards, raising some officers to
higher distinction than recommended
| and "blue penciling'' others, publ
1
J ated new sensation in the NAVY
Department, and added a new chap
ter to the long contest in which
some naval officers have complained
of the Secretary's administration OF
affairs and others have defended
him with equal vigor.
| Admiral Sims, in his letter, doe,
not appear to refuse his decoration
unconditionally. He refused it un
der the conditions he outlines AM
he asked for an opportunity to ex
plain the reasons for his original rec
| concentrations. Beside that tn
admiral does not ask that the high
est award, be taken from any Office
upon whom it already has been con
ferred. but he does ask for a re
vision upward of some of the lesse
decorations.
Admiral Sims, long known as tn
p stormy petrol of the navy since hi
sensational ''last drop of blood
+ speech in the Guild Hall at Londor
| when he drew the attention of tn
! foreign Offices of Berlin, London an
q Washington, has figured in man
navy sensations before and hs
= many warm supporters among tn
r officers.
MI Secretary Daniels report
Chairman Page, of the Senate nav.
committee, outlines the general po
icy followed by the Secretary
= awarding medals and distinctions ,
O naval officers and enlisted men.
ISL Indicating that the entire contr
IL versy that has now come to ligl
revolves around the old Navy d
partment disagreement as to whit
tclass of service-shore or sea
S most important, Secretary, Daniel
in his report, said:
The value of the duty on shol
X was duly recognized, but, in my OPT
ion, it should be of the highest il
Ie portance and responsibility in ord
that this duty should be recognize
r. by the award of the same kind
medals as that given to office
le charged with great responsible
e and at the same time in positio
OF grave danger in the active