Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-20
SEC. DANIELS UNDlSTURbED
IN FACE MOUNTING CHARGES
AGAINST UNCLE SANS Navy
Naval Head Confident Clean. Proud Record
VIII Be Shown When Many Charges Are
Probed - Sims Must Make Good 3 fore
Senate or Naval Board = Providence Edit
Ors Charges of immortality to Have Fullest
Light - Floating Death Traps" Reference
by Gen. Wood Must Also Be Explained
DIVERS CHARGES

washington. Jan. 19-Charges Of
Fear Admiral Sims that the navy de-
parrTnent failed TO cooperate fully
with the Allies during the great v.ar
Will be investigated By the Senate
subcommittee before which they
were made This was decided today
by the full naval committee. which
also authorized appointment Of an
other snb-commitlee TO determine
whether there should be an inquiry
into charges made by joan f.
Rathom. editor of the Providence
r. / journal that with the know
ledge Of Secretary DanIels MANY
seamen II the navy have been used
for most vile and nameless practices
in order 10 eu--ap innocent men"
While The Senate committee WIS
n session Secretary Daniels an
nounced that Admiral Sims would De
called upon TO make good ms
charges either before rhe Senate or
a naval board.
simultaneously Chairman Butler
Of the House naval comm Irree IN
nounced that Maj. Gen. Leonard
Wood would be called before mat
committee 70 explain statements at
Lributed TO MIN that American naval
vessels were floating deuth traps
General Wood explained al Port
land, Maine today, that what ne
SAID was that naval ships manned
by unframed crews would he deHth
traps IL battle.
Inquiry INFO Adrni-al Sims
! charges viii not be started by the
i, Senate subcommittee Until its
present investigation Of naval dec
orations is completed. which probab-
~ will be within ten days. Thal in
veStiga-lon was continued today.
with Admiral SIMS concluding MS
MS tasLiYnory. Fear Admiral MAJ
commander in-chief o. the Atlantic
fleet during the war. viii be called
tomorrow
The full naval committee mat To-
cay III Legislative session. Senator
Pituan Of Nevada. sought 10 have
the entire committee conduct he IN
quiry into Admiral Sims allegations,
but Senator Lodge. Republican,
Massa cnuserts. objected on the
ground that the committee was toe
busy with other pressing matters.
Senator Putnam then sought to have
special subcommittee appointed.
I1-- nj ia-'aHraI
With this matter disposed Of. tn
committee took up kilograms sem ID
Senator Lodge and other members
by M Rathon, charging immoral
conditions in The navy and il auth
orized Chairman Page 10 appoint a
subcommittee to NIKE a preliminary
inquiry to develop whether an in
vestigatlor was warranted.
Mr. Rathorn alleged that there was
d division Of the naval intelligence
created and maintained for the
specific purpose Of using naval sea
men 10 "E.nrrap innocent men" and
that as the result OF the practices
resorred 10 the morale Of the navy
department is being rapidly dc
st-oyeo.
He added that the entire blame for
this situation stands al the door OF
Mr. Daniels and nowhere else ami
that We have ample evidence in
proof Of these assertions"
Secretary Daniels declined To com
ment on Mr.. Rataou s charges. de-
cIaring that ne die not desire 10
make a statement until ne was NOR
familiar with the allegations.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt. who
was said by M. Daniels 10 be tmora
familiar with the matter asserted
that the special board of inquiry ap-
pointed by the Judge advocate GER
e-al of the navy, two weeks ago. ma
full authority t0 investigate the
methods employed by naval intelIi-
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