Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-17
D. s. JUGGLING
Has Shattered Navy
Morale
Rear Admiral Sims Declares at
Hearing Senate Sub Comm tree
Probing Naval Decorations - No
Personal Attack on Danieis In
tended

Washington. Jan. 16-while dis
claiming any thought Of making a
personal attack on Secretary Dan
lels, Rear Admiral William Sims
told the Senate subcommittee IN
vestIgaring naval war decorations TO-
day that the morale of the service
had been knocked 10 pieces as re-
suit of methods followed in making
the awards
The underlying cause Of the
'whoie unfortunate affair" Admiral
Sims asserted, was the fault Of MIR.
Daniels to formulate definite
policy to govern awards in his in
strucrions 70 me Knight Medal
Board
Grave injustice has been done
many officers because of this. he
added
Admiral Sims. VINO during the war
commanded American forces II for
eign waters, said constructive senti-
ment was part OF his duty to the
service and his recent letter as well
as mis- testimony was not TO be con-
strued otherwise.
He argued withdrawal of the de-
partmert regulations requiring Off
ers not 70 publish critical articles
without SPECIFIC sanction. as n the
best interests of the service. In con-
nectlon with his original letter re-
fusing & Distinguished Service medal
pending action by the secretary on
his plea for reconsideration of his
Recommendation as 10 awards. he
said Mr. Daniels had written him
that no final action had been taken.
Admiral Sims vigorously rea1frmed
the position taken n his letter that
only commanding officers were COM
petenr 10 pass on the relative value
of services performed by officers IN
der them He cited changes IN
awards made both by. the knight
Board and the secretary as being
uniusrifed and advanced the opinion
that the service generally would wei
come withdrawal Of all medals be-
cause OF the unfortunate and IN
necessary controversy which had
arisen.
Taking UP the secretary's an
nounced policy Of awarding Distln-
gulshed Service medals to officers
who mad lost ships IN action where
their service had been merItorlous.
Admiral Sims declared sucn officers
deserved medals of honor or nothing.
He cited the case of British mys-
terry ship" which sunk a submarine
after a battle from which the Z boat
emerged unnurt.
The British officer received ne
said the Victoria Cross. equivalent
of the medal Of honor. IN TINS con-
necrion Admiral Sims read a per
sonal letter from Secretary Daniels
asking what steps had been taken
toward suitable recognition of the
services Of Lieut.. Commander David
"a Bagiey. fMr Daniels brorher-in-
law and other officers Of the de-
srroyer Jacob Jones. sunk without
warning by an enemy torpedo and
his own reply stating that officers in
cases like this deserved no particular
recognition. Admiral Sims also
presented a personal letter he hac
written Bagley at the time. COM
menGing his conduct after the sink
ing of the Jones. which letter. h.
said. was in addition To the forrna.
communication made q part Of BAG
ley's military record.
During the hearing Admiral
Sims engaged in headte verbal tits
with Senators Pittman. Democrat,
Nevada and Trammei. Democrat
Florida who showed a disposition 70
Cross question him in detail.
Before Admiral Sims was heard
Senator Pirtman made a determined
effort TO have Nj Daniels called as
the first witness. declaring the COM
mitree was showing discourtesy II
ealing a subordinate first His mo-
cian was defeated on party lines.
Summing UP his objections to the
decorations award policy, Admiral
Sims declared that the awarding
Of medals to men who lost their ships
in action without engaging the enemy
was without precedent ii the history
of the American Navy or any other
navy and had absolutely shattered
the moral Of the navy.
He attacked the changes MADE by
Secretary Daniels. bluntiy stating
that he did not have confidence in
the knight boards ability TO judge
of the relative merits Of officers.
Officers of the navy the admiral
said. would much rather have ne
medals awarded than To have them
i,r-yieG around. He said that his
chief criticism was that by awarding
medals Of different value than ne
recommended TO various officers on
his staff. the board and the secretary
had changed the relative order OF
most Of the service of the ufncers.
comforting high decorations On Off
GERS who performed more or less ruu-
tine duty and lower honors on OH
GERS who administered posts of i'm
portance.
Admiral Sims is expected To con-
cIude his testimony tomorrow and
CTS, lrrnan Hale did not Indicate what
officer would be called Monday.
he said all officers that were made
recommendation would be called be-
fore the Knight board or Secretary
Daniels II was indicated that Mr.
Daniels would be the last witness
called.