The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-01-21
Disclaims Any III Feeling But
Attacks Official Acts of
Secretary
HE CLAIMS DANIELS
SHATTERED MORALE
In Awarding Medals Navy De-
partment Disrcgarded All
Precedent

Washington, Jan. 1G.-While dis
claiming aly thought OF making a
personal attack on So oretary Daniels.
Rear Admiral William Sims told the
senate subcommittee investigating ma
val war decorations today tha: morale
Of the service had been Knocked
to pieces" as a result of methods OF
the navy department in making
awards.
The underlying cause of t'the whole
unfortunate affair." Admiral Sims as
serted, was failure of Mr.. Daniels to
formulate a definite policy to govern
awards in his Instructions to the
Knight medal board. Grave injustice
had been done many officers because
Of this. he added. s
Admiral Sims, who during the war
commanded American forces i'll for
eiSn waters, said constructive criti-
c:sm was part of the duty to the SER
vice and his recent letter as well as
his testimony was not to be construed
otherwise He argued for withdrawal
Of department regulations requiring
officers not to publish critical articles
without specific sanction as in the best
interests Of the service.
In connection with his original let
ter refusing q distinguished service
medal pending action BY the secretary
on his plea for reconsideration of his
recommendations. Is 20 awards, hef
said Mr. Daniels had written him that
no final action had bceI taken. 8;
Admiral Sims vigorously reaffirrned
the position taken in his letter that
.nly commanding officers were com-
petent to pass on the relative value Of
services performed by officers under
them.
Taking up the secretary's announca,
ed policy OF awarding Distinguished
service medals to officers who had lost
ship: IN action where their service had
hecn meritorious. Admiral Sins de-
ciared such officers deserved ruedafs
Of honor or nothing
In this connection Admiral Sims
read a personal letter from Secretary
Daniels asking what steps toward
suitable recognition OF the services
Of Lieut.. Corldr. David W. EagieyS
Mr.. Daniels brother-in-law) and
OlHSl oliCciS -! tIfe Ce!otitiS u lJdCOOe
Jones sunk without warning bys an
enemy torpedo, had been tasen,s and
his own reply stating that officers In
cases like this deserved no psrticuIarS
recognition. Admiral SIMS also pre-
sented a personal letter he had writ
zen Ragley at The time, commencing
his conduct after the sinking Of the
Jones, which letter. he said, was in.
addition to the formal communication
made q part Of Bae!cy's military rec
ord.
during the hearing ADMIRAL Sims
engaged in heated verbal tits with
Senators Pittman, Democrat. Of Ne
yaGa and Trammell, Democrat, Flor
ida. who showed disposition to
cross question him in detail. Before
Admiral Sims was heard. Senator
Pittman made a determined effort to Z
have Mr.. Daniels called as the first
witness. declaring the committee was
showing d:scourtesy in calling sub
ordinate first His motion was de-
featcd on party lines.
Summing up his objections to the
decorations award policy, Admiral
Sims declared that 1.-The awarding OF
medals to men who lost their ships in
action without engaging the enemy
was without precedent in the history
Of American navy or any other navy
and had resulted in absolutely shat
terirg the morale OF the service.