New-York tribune., 1919-12-29
Congress Urged to Delve
Into Decker's Statement
He Prevented Madrid
From Joining Germany
Inquiry Into Sea
Force Morale Likely
Allegations Ambassador
Opposed Admiral's Ac-
tivities To Be Taken Up
Ne1D York Tribune
Washington Bureau

New York Tribune
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 28.-The con-
troversy over the awarding of naval
honors, precipitated by the refusal of
Rear Admiral William S. Sims to ac-
cept the Distinguished Service Medal
on the theory that favoritism was
shown by Secretary of the Navy
Daniels in the distribution of the
medals, took another turn to-day when
Representative w. W. Lufkin, of Mas
sachusctts, indicated that the invest-
cation by Congress will seek to dis
close the full part United States naval
officers had in keeping Spain from join
ing with Germany in the war in the
spring of 1918.
Representative Lufkin to-day wrote
a letter to Repre- sentative Thomas S.
Butler, of Pennsylvania, chairman of
the House Committee on Naval Affairs,
urging him to call meeting of the
committee for Tuesday for the purpose
Of selecting the House members on the
joint committee to be named by the
Naval committees of the House and
Senate on January 5. The letter also
urged that the investigation be not
confined TO thc controversy between
Secretary Daniels and his critics, but
general scheme of maintaining the
morale of the American Navy be con-
sdered
Decker to Testify Early
Under this heading it was said that
the charge of opposition advanced by
the American Ambassador at Madrid
to the work of the American naval
officers in keeping Spain from join
ing the side of the enemy in the war
is to be thoroughly investigated. Rear
Admiral Benton c. Decker, whose let
ter declining the Navy Cross revealed
that naval and diplomatic representa-
tives in the Spanish capital worked
at cross purposes, is to be called as
one of the first witnesses before the
joint committee.
The committee, it was said, doubt
less will decide to summon all the
naval officers who have written let
ters to the department pointing cut
The dissatisfaction in the service with
the list of awards published.
Rear Admiral Austin NJ. Knight,
chairman Of the Naval Board of
Award, also is expected to be called
to tell the committee the general pol
icy pursued by the board in deter
mining who among the men recon-
mended were entitled to decorations
for meritorious services. 1t is certain
that Secretary Daniels and Rear Ad-
miral Sims, the central figures in the
hn RI
opportunity by the committee to "state
their cases.
Senators Seek to Fix Blame
1t is known that the majority mem
bers Of, the Senate Committee Oh
Naval Affairs are as enthusiastic as
the House members to get to .he
bottom of the naval dispute and see
where the blame lies. In this connec-
ton, the visits to the White House of
Senators Pittman and Gerry. Demo
cratic members of the committee, for
conferences during the last week are
considered significant
While it Is not expected that the
Democratic members will seek 20
block the investigation, a hint was
dropped to-day by Representative L.
p. Padgett, of Tennessee, ranking
member on the Democratic SIDE of the
House committee, that it may develop
that the committee was without
authority to make suggestions on the
matter of awarding naval honors ex-
cept through specific legislation. Mr..
Padgett said he stood with Secretary
Daniels in welcoming an investigation
of the whole affair if some good effect
were likely to be accomplished.
Whether the naval board of award
will adopt new methods in reviewing
the awards already made and recon-
mending new ones is matter of specu-
lation here. Admiral knight. the
boards chairman, has been absent from
the city for the holidays, but is ex-
pected back tomorrow, and may then
make public his views of the work the
board is to perform.
Board Expected to Stand by Action
Navy men generally believe that the
board will stand on it's original de-
cisions, which in some instances were
changed by Secretary Daniels and re
suited in the controversy now raging
1t was recalled tonight that during the
administration of George Won l. Meyer,
Secretary Of the Navy under President
Taft. Admiral Knight served as
chairman of naval board on promo
ton. The recommendations Of this
board, made after careful cons liberation
Of the fitness of each officer entitled to
advancement in rank, We're not salts
factory 70 the then Secretary Of the
Navy, who returned them to Admiral
knight with suggested changes Ad-
miral knight and his fellow members
on the board declined to be swerved
from their position, it is said, and their
original recommendations eventually
were approved by President Taft.
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