New-York tribune., 1919-07-23
Daniels IndOrses
Bill Making Benson
And Sims Admirals
Secretary Suggests Change
Permitting President to
Recall Them to Service
After Their Retirement
Ne,0 York Tribune
Wn9hfu0fO,1 P7irenn

WASHINGTON, July 22-In indors-
ing the bill introduced in the House
giving the permanent rank of admiral
to Admirals William S. Benson and
William S. Sims Secretary Of the Navy
Daniels to-day, in a letter to Chairman
Butler of the House Naval Affairs
Committee, paid high tribute to the
two officers.
Mr.. Daniels suggested change in
President the privilege of recalling
into active service the two officers
after their retirement, if the need de-
veloped The bill as written specif-
cally provides that the two officers
will not be placed on retirement ex-
cept upon their own application.
Long before the war began" Sec
retary Daniels wrote Chairman Butler,
congress created q new position Of
leadership in the Navy Department
known as chief of naval operations.
To that place of sponsbility the Pres
ident called William Shepherd Benson,
then captain in the navy.
In every previous assignment to
DUTY he had demonstrated ability and
capacity, and soon the country felt that
in the new chief Of operations it pos
sessed man who would measure up to
the highest requirements in prepara-
ton Tor war or in the wise professional
direction of war. The naval service al
ready knew Of his fine qualities and had
confidence IN his sound judgment, and
had confidence in his sense Of Justice.
Soon the public learned what the Presi-
dent knew when the selection was made
-that captain Benson had rare quail
lty OF states smanship, as we'll as knowl-
edge of his profession, and possessed
ability to visualize naval needs and to
carry out we'll matured naval policies.
Saw Need for Preparation
From the day he came to Washing
ton he sensed the national duty and
/ need for naval preparations. When
war came, it found the navy ready with
all Its units for the service required.
Shortly after our entrance into the
war, after study and conference, Ad~
mural Benson was selected to go abroad
tc confer with our associates. and he
lald before the admiralties the views
OF his country, and co0perated with
them in the joint naval policies which
more than justified their adoption.
when the American peace mission
assembled in Paris, Admiral Benson
was chosen as the naval adviser of the
mission and served his country in that
quasl-dlssplomatic post with the devo
ton to his country and sound discre
, ton which had attended his Who'll;
, career. Allied nations have conferred
thelr highest honors upon him, and hi:
own country, | am sure, will honor it
self by giving him the highest ranl
; that can come to naval officer"
Estimate of Admiral Sims
OF Admiral Sims Secretary Daniel
, wrote.
! In the anxious days before dut,
led the United States to enter tn
world war, when it was decided to arm
merchant ships, the President deter
4 mined to send to Great Britain a nava
: omcer OF high rank and approved abil
n l'y 10 represent our country. He wa
I selected Tor what was then a dclicat
t m'ssion' as 1t was during all the sue
ceeding months, an assignment tha
q mastery of his profession and abilit
}. 20 SIT as the equal in any conference O
: inc naval leaders OF the free nations
d ne country approved the seloctio
d o. or Near Admiral William Snowde
g SIN 3; lie had already shown the oualitic
"hlch made his mission not only Of tn
greatest service to his own country
out which brought Allied navies int
warm friendship as we'll as in close &c
operation. He was at once welcome
. l"to the conferences of naval leader
4 ana curing the whole war was recoo
hiZed among our allies as we'll az hi
own countrymen as one of the ables
and most brilliant naval officers in tn
!. cause that demanded initiative. undn,
standing and comprehension, whic
included among others, the hard dut
10 safeRuard the carrying CT million
.. nghtlng men acroas the seas and t
4 oedeat the submarine menace.
II is a matter fer national pratif
: eat'on that in Rear Admiral Sim
america sent as commander of tn
United States naval forces operatin
~ european waters an officer VIII
served tho world with such conspicn
a Gus aoility as to win the con6denc,
I me approval and also the sincere aJ
& miration Of the whole world Iio ha bo
q necn gwen the highest honors hv f., aT,
J. eign countries, which appreciated y;
rare accomplishments lie was ,,ri
= motcd during the war becaus%c co of ~ y; ;
n,Hn merits successivcly 70 vice -adn,ira
,.,,o admira and it is jurt tbat ~
pigness st rank shall be conferred upo no
I'm I'm, ny ms countrymen, and that npo
Sia'I DC decoration for life Of wb bic
=" "'' ch''nren may be proud