Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-12-26
Secretary Daniels BIunders

| T'HE record of achievement OF the American
| Navy during the war is one of the treas
| ured memories of that great struggle. It's
service was splendid and in keeping with the
| best traditions of the seailghters of the nn-
| ton. great deal OF credit for the fine and
| effective work of the fleet must necessarily go
to the administrator officer, Josephus
Daniels. just as he would have been compelled
| to bear most OF the blame If the fleet had
failed in its service and had been disgrace
to the flag under which it sails.
because of the navy's consummate work in
the war and because of the secretary's own
contribution to its success the mistake which
he seems to have made in taking the award of
war honors out Of the hands OF his own eX-
pert board issuing medals and decorations
upon his own Judgment, is all the more de-
p!orabe. 1T seems great pity that the en-
cellent Impressions of Mr.. Daniels which the
country now has should be obscured If not
removed entirely by bitter controversy
perhaps a scandal-within the service over
the awards for bravery
The refusal of Admiral Sims, who COM
manded the American naval forces in Euro
pean waters. to accept Il Distinguished Ser
vice Medal rendered him by the secretary on
the ground Mr. Daniels had misused his power
to override the naval board OF awards honor
ing some officers not commended by that body
and failing to honor some which we're COM
mended, brings to sharp issue the policy OF
the secretary. And it will result in con-
gressional investigation which will revive
many OF the unfortunate service enmities and
rearouse many of the unfair prejudices
against Mr.. Daniels himself.
The fair-minded attitude for the country
TO assume in such situation as this would
be one OF imRirtia interest until Mr.. Daniels
has concluded his defense until he has
explained TO Congress why he took the matter
OF honor awards out of the hands Of his SER
vice board; why he refused to decorate some
officers and insisted upon decorating others,
and what general policy he followed in deal
ing with this important matter But the
enemies of Mr.. Daniels, both in and out OF the
navy are so aggressive and so active that
they VIII not allow the thinking people of the
country 10 maintain an even keel They will
exert all their influence and will make use of
all their opportunities for publicity in an en-
deaNor TO discredit and to condemn the sec
rotary without n hearing.
1T Is all very true, of course that Mr.
Daniels, as his friends now contend cxer-
clsed his executive function and his legal
right TO review the action of the board of
awards or the action of any board which
serves under his orders. That is granted
freely, put 1t is unfortunate that he should
nave taken that course in a matter affecting
the service SO intimately and involving what
Admlral Sims describes as the navys morale
ferhaps the secretary will survive this
fresh ASSAULT upon him as he has survived
so many others of similar nature His
friends sincerely hope that when he gives his
answer to Congress to the charges which
have been leveled at him that it will he full
and convincing, and that the country will
accord him the privilege OF Friendly hear
ing.