New-York tribune., 1920-05-29
Saved Daniels
And Navy,Too,
Fiske Asserts
''Instead of Abusing Me,
Secretary Ought TO Thank
Me-" Says Admiral i'm
Telling of Vital Help
Senate Hearing Closes
Sims Backs Unprepared-
ness Charges; Denies AL
legations Against Him

WASHINGTON, May 2e.-The Sen
ate investigation of the navy's conduct
OF the war was completed to-day and
Chairman Hale said he hoped to have
ready within a week report embody-
ing the committees findings.
Rear Admiral Sims was the only
witness to-day, but the chairman read
into the records supplementary state
ments from Rear Admirals Fullam and
Flske, replying to portions of the testi-
mony of Secretary Daniels. Admiral
Fiske reviewed his efforts to obtain
reorganization of the department when
he was aid for operations, and de-
clared that but for his efforts the navy
would have entered the war without
the two principal agencies the Secre
tary and his advisers declared to be
vital-the Office of chief of naval op-
erations and the administrative plan.
Fiske Tells of Assistance
'1nstead of abusing me-" Admiral
Fiske said, 81 submit that the Secre
tary ought to thank me for saving not
only the navy, but himself"
Admiral Fullam denied statements by
Mr.. Daniels to the effect that he was
a disciple of Won Tirpitz and "wished
to Prussianize the navy" He said he
had devoted his life to the problems of
organization and preparedness and
that he was proud to have my name
linked with the names of Sims and
Fiske."
Admiral Sims told the committee that
Secretary Daniels had attempted to
gloss over criticisms of the depart
ments conduct of the war and reiter-
ated his charge that Mr.. Daniels failed
to direct the action required both be-
fore and during the war.
an defending the navy" Admiral
Sims said, "the Secretary also has seen
fit TO introduce matters rejecting upon
the war services Of the navy of q
friendly nation with whom we were
associatod in the war He has charged
had no plans and he has quoted the
Presidents assertion to the effect that
in the crisis it was helpless to the
point Of panic.
Denials Made by Sims
"He has further charged that I was
so hypnotized by this service that I
genufected continuously to its policies
and leaders; that my dearest hopes
were bound up with such trivialities
as decorations; that / consistently de-
preciated the efforts Of my own service,
ignored my own department, attempted
to deceive she head of my nation and
endeavored to use the forces under
my command in the interests of Great
Britain and contrary to the interests
Of the United States.
These charges are, Of course, so
baseless, so thoroughly in contradic-
tion to the established facts that it
seems hard to understand how they
could be seriously made"
The admiral denied all of the
charges and told the committee that
Mr.. Daniels had entirely "misinter-
preted" his attitude
In conclusion, the admiral submitted
an outline of legislation for the reor-
ganzation Of the department under
which the civilian secretary would have
two assistants. one civilian and one
military, the first to be charged with
handling of all civil questions, nclud-
ing contracts, industrial matters and
appropriations, and the other to be
responsible for all matters of a strictly
military nature.
The bureau chiefs would be directly
under the military advisor who would
be responsible for the efficiency of the
navy, it's readiness for and it's conduct
IN war.