Evening journal., 1920-01-27
NAVY MORALE sHor no PIECES.

n DiRAL SIMS estlaes that the morale OF the navy
"A has been than IL is now"
He that failure the part Of Secretary Daniels
to recognize that the immediate superior in command is the
only who knows what each officer did has shot the
navy morale to pieces"
Rear Admiral Washington. Chief Of the Bureau OF Nav
cation. which has immediate charge OF the operation
Of ships says that the morale Of the lower
than at any time in years.
Admiral Sims mas refused 10 accept the distinguished
medal until the officers and men in his overseas
command have been suitably rewarded
Commander Bagley the secrelarys own brother-inlaw
has likewise refused the distinguished service cross be-
cause he could not consent to being singled out among
other destroyer commanders for special recognition.
And so II goes. Almost every official act Of civilian
Daniels aonts the professional pride Of the officers Of the
navy onends their sense Of honor.
As result the naval esprit de corps has suffered as
never before in recent years.
review Of the medal awards bestowed or refused by
Secretary Daniels gives accurate indication Of how his
arrogant reversal Of the judgment OF the technical eN-
pers Of the navy has injured the service.
Out Of 5000 officers and $1,000 men in his command
Admiral Sims recommended only three FOR the navy medal
OF honor the highest decoration and bestowed only for
exceptionally gallant service in actual contact with the
enemy.
Every one Of those recommendations turned down
by Mr. Daniels.
Lieutenant A. L. Gates Of the naval air force rendered
conspicuous service In rescung British airplane crew,
exhibiting such daring that the British government gave
him special decoration. On another occasion he flew
over the enemy lines and put up tremendous hght
against an overwhelmingly number OF German planes
until he finally shot down.
As substitute for the medal Of honor Mr. Daniels gave
this ofcer distinguished service medal, which has moth
ing 10 do with gaantry and intended only for mer
torious conduct where no peril TO life is involved.
Ensign H. c. Hammann was another young officer whom
Cfrns cola for HE
an air pilot detailed to assist the Italians in their cam
pagns against Austria He with another officer. was sent
up after enemy planes. which they attacked one after
another until his brother officer shot down Hammann
then dropped with his plane to where his comrade had
fallen into a heavy sea- picked him up before the enemy
could get him. and few with him under fire for seventy
five miles, landing safely.
Again Secretary Daniels dlsapproved the award Of the
medal Of honor.
The third case was that Of Lieutenant Frank Bruce an
officer on mine layer when she ~as struck by torpedo
II was evident that the ship would sink and that the
depth charges at the stern would explode as soon as ey
reached sufficient depth.
Lieutenant Bruce ordered all OF his men TO the forward
part Of the vessel himself UNDERSTOOD the task OF so
adjusting the deonatng apparatus the charges that
they would be rendered harmless lie knew that his act
meant almost certain death. thought that he might
save his crsw He was blown 10 pieces before he could
complete his task.
Admiral Sims thought that Bruce exhibited rather more
than his duty" but Daniels ignored his recommendation
and as result the memory Of the heroic young omcer
goes unrewarded.