Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-28
Full Investigation Of the Con-
troversy Brought to Head by
Sims Has Been Ordered
BY Congress Committee.
NAVY DEPARTMENT TO ..
REOPEN MATTER ALSO
Daniels Says Due Considera-
ton Will Be Given to 0biec.
tions Voiced by Officers Who
Criticized Some Of Awards.


Washington. Dec. II Full inves-
tigation of the controversy over
awards OF decorations for war serv-
ice to naval officers. brouoht to a
head by Rear Admiral William, 5.
Sims recent protest against the ten
tative list issued by tie Navy de-
partment. will be r,ade both by con-
gress and by the department.
On the heels of Secretary Daniels
announcement that the naval board,
headed by Rear Admiral Knight,
had been ordered reconvened to re-
view its findings on recommended
tons for medals or Other decorations.
Representative f.ufkiE. republican.
ssachusetts. OF. the house naval
mittee. which does not nee dspecial
of the senate committee and stated
that Joint committee would take
ND the question when congress con-
vened. Representative T-ufkin said
Secretary Daniels, Admiral Knight,
Admiral Sims aud other officers
would be called before the joint conl-
mittee which does not need special
authorization for its inquiry. Changes
madc by Mr.. Daniels in the board
list of awards, as we'll as the action
of the board in each case, will be
examined. he said.
To Consider Objections.
Secretary Daniels said today that
in revising the list Of decorations and
in passing on new recommendations
for awards the Knight board would
be instructed to follow in general
the policy he adopted in revising the
original lists. giving due considera-
ton to the objections voiced by Of
ficers who have criticized some of
the awards.
The names of Admiral Henry B.
Wilson. who commanded Amer
ican naval forces III French waters
during the war. and of Rear Ad-
mirai Henry T. Mavo. who was in
command Of the Atlantic fleet dur
inc the pAriod of hos4iiities. were
added TODAY to the list of officers
who have written the secretary re-
ga-d;',o the awards. Other officers
who have irade protests include Vice
Admiral Hillary P, Tones. COM
nander OF SQUADRON 2 of the At
lant;c feet: Rear Admiral Decker.
commandin~ the Seventh naval dis
+rict Kew West. and Cast RAYMOND
y. uashrock Commando of the bat
flesh, Minresota. Admiral tones
and CAPTAIN Hasbrock refused the
ravv cross for which thew had been
recommended. supporting the posi-
ton taken by Admiral Sims.
Ho,es for Acceptance.
The objections voiced hv these
officers will be oiaced before the
Kricht board and Secretary Daniels
said today that he honed the revised
awards made bv the board could he
accented without change. He indi-
Gated that ne would send them to the
president Cor his nersona1 approval.
Letters Made Public.
The department. made public to-
night copies of letters as to the
awards received bv Mr. Daniels from
Admiral Iores. Mavo ard Decker
and CAPTAIN Hasbrouck. That from
Admiral Jones goes at some length
into the service rendered during the
war. heginr;ng as commander of a
SQUADRON of the patrol force. later
of a squsd dron of the cruiser force
still tater as commander of the New
oort News division. cruiser and
transnort force. ard finally as ad-
ministrator of harbor floating equip
ment in Hamrtop Roads district.
"Tt is submitted" the letter said.
chat If the DISCHARGE of these high
| lv responsible and largely irdepend-
ent duties were so successful as to
meet the department's apnroval. the
responsible officer should be recog-
nized surately; and those
subordina whom he recommended
as having contributed directly to
that success should also be recog-
nized. If, on the contrary, the du-
ties outlined above were not success
fullv carried out to the satisfaction
of the department there should be
no award of decorations"
Admiral Jones Refuses.
In view of these considerations Ad-
miral Jones said he felt it my duty
CONTINUED on Page Two, Column six.)
Wilson So Years Old;
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