The Washington herald., 1919-04-13

the language of the navy, Sims is
known a. . great big two-nSted sail
or man. fun OF pep. brains and night"
Coupled with this he possssses the
dignity and Accomplishments of q
finished diplomAt-as much at home
in palace ss on board ship--an ex-
cellent linguist with q rare charm Of
manner. He viii rise from his desk
TO shake hands with a second class
seaman, who had called to pay his
respects, with the dignity that char
scterized his greeting of the Presi-
dent OF the United States upon his
arrival in Europe. A big man men
tally and physically who by his per-
sonaIity has every officer and blue
jacket In his command loyal to the
core.
Although upon occasions he has
demonstrated his ability to be dis
ciplinarian of the deepest dye, the
discipline which Admiral Sims has
always maintained and enforced un-
der his command has been the dis
eipline Of respect and admiration
rather than the fear of punishment
He has always believed. that any
military organization to be efficient
and efrective must be happy. which
has earned for him the popular nick
name Of the -Cheer Up Admiral"
Never gloomy himself. he insists
upon those serving with him doing
so in a cheerful. willing and hearty
manner. 1t is actually inspiring to
see oticers and bluejackets toiling
and struggling uncomplainingly be-
cause the "old man" will appreciate
it. Incidentally. they wouldn't dare
to call him an old man to his face
for fear he might accept the chal-
lenge and take them on at some
strenuous exercise at which they
would more than likely be downed.
Sixty years young. Sims con-
demns golf because il keeps too
many old stiffs alive who have no
legitimate excuse for living. Ply
steal fitness is almost a mania with
him. and the result is apparent at
a glance. Full Of vitality, he is
keenly alert to the situation at all
times and controls the various sub
divisions of his mighty command
with an intimate knowledge of de-
tails that is almost uncanny. Think
for a second OF one man directly
the operations OF battleships,
cruisers, gunboats, destroyers, sub
marines. mine layers, mine sweep
ers. yachts, tugs, troop ships, air
ships. seaplanes, naval bases etc
enough to make your head swim
even to think OF II. | Not that he
actually directs the details Of this
vast organizstion-the stan does
that but Sims runs the star.
Like Nelson and his band of
brothers, Sims and his stan OF
operations of the victorious Ameri-
can navy in Europe for the last two
years. This is where the human
touch comes in-the ability not only
to kindle but to keep alive in the
hearts of his subordinates the sort
o: loyalty and devotion to duty that
makes them put their very souls
into their work. The "Sfms touch"
is the most striking feature of the
American navy in Europe and one
which confronts one like slap in
the face from the Chief of STAN
down TO the lowest coal passer.
They do their work and more, not
for fear OF punishment or because
OF the navy regulations, but rather
because they are diUCtcd and
watched over by a man in whom
they have the utmost confidence.
Mutual loyalty is the highbrow
definition of such team work" 1t
means simply that Sims is the cap
tain of the team. elected by virtue
of the fact that he is the best man
in it
For years Sims has stood for all
that represents the highest and
best traditions OF the American
navy He is radical at heart
and believes in fighting for the
increased efficiency OF the service
which he so ably represents.
Mentally vigflant and alert. on his
toes all the time, he has always
BEEN several laps ahead of the rest
OF the gang. and his foresight has
frequently been the subject mat
ter OF bitter criticism The only
trouble is that he has always been
at least ten years ahead of the
game and has never been content