The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-12-24
FAMOUS ADMIRAL HAD
PLANNED OTHER HONORS|
Fben His Recommendations
We're Not Followed Out He
Refused Medal for Himself
SENATE TAKES A HAND
hartman Page is Told by Dam
els that Secretary Has Final
Say in Making Awards.

|issatisfaction in the navy at the way
scretary Daniels arranged awards
decorations for war service came
n The surface today when it became
Known that Admiral Sims had declined
| % accept a distinguished service medal
While awards remain as they are at
resent Sims objected because DAN
sls did not follow his Recommendation
b making the awards.
It developed that Daniels held that
azardous duty in responsible posi-
tons at sea should be given prefer
tase over those ashore while Sims was
hcinad to stress the Importance of
S.ecting the work of officers ashore.
| This led to Daniels changing the lists.
nng higher awards to some and
Rer to others than as arranged by
zns
| Meanwhile Chairman Page. of the
anate Naval committee, called for re-
or. on awarding the medals, which
Daniels transmitted tonight, explaining
| he situation and saying that as sec
| atary of the navy he had final author
| II in awarding the medals except the
ngressional medal, and he simply
carrled out his beliefs in making the
Changes. Another point at issue was
,hat Daniels believed certain officers
whose ships were sunk by submarines
should get medals, which was particul-
arly criticized by Sims.
Secretary Daniels today ordered a
comprehensive report on awards for
naval decorations prepared for the in
formation of Chairman Page of the
senate naval committee. It will in
lgde all recommendation by indivi-
dlals or by boards and the action by
lie boards and by the secretary him.
SET upon the recommendations
The order was issued in response to
request from Senator Page which
aIowed criticism of the manner in
Ehich some of the awards We're dis
Ebuted. Part of this criticism was
made by Rear Admiral Sims, who
9Hmanded American naval forces
yerseas during the war.
IF, Daniels declined to comment on
be letter on the subject received by
III from Rear Admiral Sims, further
nan to say that published excerpts
E6n the letter appeared to be sub
saallaiiy correct, although he had not
12e to read the communication care
QaE In the letter Admiral Sims de-
eaEed the decoration-a distinguished
service medal-tendered him person.
ei! on the ground that injustice had
sen done some officers in the distri-
saAoA OF the awards.
"nen the list of recommendations
- awards is made public said Mr.
-7iIeis IN referring to the report to be
.4' 10 senator Page, Il have no doubt
@s american people will approve the
.leipie followed and the application
mat principle.
SI' Daniels added that the list of
s'aEos already made public was in
way hnal; that additions undoubt-
"oaIa be made as more recent
concentrations We're taken UP for
,.-SuerdtIon and it was not impossi-
mat some names might be removed
'Y'' the published list
!. =, - sentative Lufkin, republican
h. -1Ssdchusetts, a member of the
AdFa! committee announced to-
~ l'@' when congress -reconvened he
-, - NiFoduce a. resolution calling
A. Ie navy department. for a report
''nseS made by Secretary Daniels
~, e Concentrations for awarding
-%,"i decorations.
s5s @ resolution will ask for the
80. ses made by the secretary and the
'S Tor this arbitrary action, said
-. sentative Lufl1in "I had hoped
a. ms whole agitation was the re-
~ - disappointment Of one or two
Who had failed of recognition,
eu with the desire of certain
papers to stir up trouble I am
ieed, however, that the matter is
iar reaching. When an officer
prominence and distinction of
=. at Sims feels it is necessary to
10 receive the distinguished
'.Ce medal himself and to repudiate
eA'ife proceedings on the part of
secretary incident to the award. I
,0 the time has come when the
'eSs and the people are entitled
---OW the real