The Mena weekly star., 1919-12-25
SIMS CALLS DOWN
 |SECRETARYDANIELS
Admiral Grows Caustic in Refusing d Distinguished Service Medal-He Charges Discrimination and Un-
 fairness Awarding Decorations.

l,am g Sims. commander of the fight E ing forces of the American navy In the war with Germany, has declined to accept the distinguished service metal Erecently awarded the nations fore most naval hero by President Wilson anon recommendation of Secretary of kthe Navy Daniels.
 The highest mark of distinction it &was possible for the President to con- fer upon him in recognition of his war service Admiral Sims has refused un- der circumstances so sensational that they bid fair to create a navy scandal that will attract the attention of con eress.
 If declining the honor, Admiral Sims has written a letter to MP. Daniels se- serely criticizing the secretary, his zssuperior in command, for the alleged Discrimination and injustice involved in the recent awards of distinguished seryice medals and navy crosses.
 swivel Chair" Men Rewarded.
 In a dozen or more sizzling para graphs the admiral conveys to the Secretary his indignation at the action of MT. Daniels in awarding the distin- guished service medal to many offi- cers who got no closer to the war than navigating their swivel chairs in Washington, and to officers who lost
 ships at sea, under circumstances hot to their credit, wnilo the decora- ton was withheld from officers who covered themselves with glory in rout- ing the enemy in actual conflict.
 Admiral Sims ponts out in his letter that the historic record of the navy is written by the men who brave the Hangers of warfare at sea and dis \ charge their duties with such courage Strategy and resourcefulness as to in sure triumph over the enemy and add to the reputation of the American nayy.
 But Daniels Ignored Them.
 As American commander in the war zone, Admiral Sims had first hand knowledge of the distinguished ser Z sice of the officers of the American $ Edestroyers and other craft, which
 helped signally to suppress the sub # marine menace in the blackest days #of the conflict He recommended x these heroes for the distinguished service medal His recommendations were approved by the board of < awards. Then Secretary Daniels blue penciled the list with the result that many of the officers who served gal lantly under Admiral Sims in actual ' ar-o If erfxr the navy cross, while the medal was accorded officers who did shore duty throughout the war and to officers who lost their ships.
 Such injustice. says Admiral Sims, will go far toward destroying the morale of the navy and he makes it clear that he does not purpose to be a party to such determination even by accepting the honor bestowed upon him
 A reference to 6agIey?
 The admiral's reference to the hon bring of officers who lost their ships at sea involves a number of cases, most conspicuous of which is that of Lieut. David Worth Bagley, Secretary
 Daniels brother-in law. Lieutenant Bagley was commander of the new destroyer Jacob Jones, which was tor pedoed by a German submarine and sunk Lieutenant Bagley was recom- mended for a navy cross and the board of awards Is said to have ap- proved this recommendation. But Secretary Daniels gave his brother-in- law the higher honor of the distin- gnished service medal.
 Barely Rewarded a Real Hero. Among those said to have been re- commended by Admiral Sims for the medal, but who were given the lesser cross, is Capt Hutch I. Cone, who or sahEed naval aviation on the war zone. While crossing the English Ohannel on a passenger vessel, which was torpedoed, the British captain asked him to take charge of the work or getting the women into the boats rom the main deck. While so engag- ed a second torpedo struck the ship. niting Cone on a column of water thirty feet high. When he came down ms leg was broken in three places. lie swan to a boat, but, finding it iiiied With women refused to be haul ca aboard. Then he became uncon- scious, was passed over by rescuers.
 Wno thought him dead, and only by cnahce was taken apoard a boat "here a doctor perceived signs of life, anu after two hours work resuscita tea hlm. He is now with Admiral olins at the navy war college, New port.
 Admiral Sims's rejection of the medal Is the continuation of the indig ndtlon With which the entire navy has been seething ever since Secretary pahiels announced the awards of the nohors. The secretary has been charged with playing politics and re- sarding friends and punishing enemies m tne service in the bestowal of these marks of distinction The action of
 Admiral Sims points out in his letter cause congress to investigate the whole affair and particularly to call lor the report of the board of awards ', wAch Admiral Knight was chair man, the list which Secretary Dan- iels penciled.
 VIII He Be Punished?
 There is much speculation in Wash lngton tonight as to whether Secre- tary Daniels will attempt to discipline admiral Sims for his outspoken criti- cism as Admiral Fiske was shelved after frequent clashes on policy with the secretary.
 Lost-Check book on Planters Bank.
 .Mena, between Hatfield and Smith, viiie. Reward for return to Star off, nee. or to B. F. Owens Zafra. OK