The Washington times., 1920-01-20
Justifies Course of Secretary
In Giving Decorations as
Practical.
NO FIXED POLICY Defined
Administration Senators Pre-
pare to Grill Sims When He :
Resumes Stand.

Rear Admiral Henry T. Mayo, for
mer Commander OF the Atlantic
Fleet took issue today with Rear
Admiral Sims on the question OF
Naval decorations.
Mayo, testifying before the Senate
investigating committee, justified the
failure of the Navy Department to
consult with commanding officers
concerning decorations. Sims in his
testimony criticised the department
on this point.
Justifies Daniels Policy.
at is not practicable for the board
or the navy to consult with com
manders who made recommends
tions,r Admiral Mayo said. ut may
be desirable to consult with them
but IT is not practical. ] do not
approve the practive but in a mill
tary organization it is recognized as
the only practical course"
Admiral Mayo appeared to take
little interest in the medals contro-
versy and contented himself with
brief answers to questions.
Life is too short to go back and
discuss Individual cases." he said, re-
plying to one Senator.
Were you called in or consulted
when the recommendations you made
were cut DOWN" Senator Hale asked.
Not at all, sir" the admiral re-
piled.
Only one member of the staff that
served under Rear Admiral Mayo aS
commander of the entire American
fleet during the war received a navo!
decoration. the admiral told the COM
mittee.
Recommended Decoration.
He recommended a dozen members
the navy cross, the lowest grade. His
Chief of Staff, Captain o. p. Jackson,
was the only one rewarded. All were
at sea during the war, he said.
Admiral Mayo said he did not con-
fer with Admiral Sims regarding dec
orations and that the letter he wrote
Secretary Daniels criticising awards
made was not letter of protest"
Admiral Mayo said Commander
Percy Foote. aide to Secretary DAN
iels, was recommended for d. s. NJ,
which he received.
The records before the committee
showed that Foote was not recon-
mended for any award by command
ing officer.
Mayo said the effect on the future
spirit of the navy would be affected
by the failure of the department To
recognize some of his officers for
honors. The one recognized by the
Secretary, however, was the one most
worthy, he said.
Changed Recommendations.
He said he changed his recommen-
dations in two cases after he learned
officers doing similar work were rec
commended by other commanders.
"The awards board was not particu-
larly clear on policy. 1 talked over
the policy. l followed with Admira,
knight" Mayo said. 1T was my ide;.
that we should be conservative IN
the award Of the d. s. NJ"
Mayo said he knew nothing about
changes made by the board or tbs
secretary. He disagreed with tho
views OF Admiral Sims that the COM
manding officer should have been
consulted before the relative weigh
OF the recommendation Is changed.
GriIIing For Sims.
Administration Senators are getting
ready to give Sims severe grilling
when he appears before the commit.
tee again, to testify in the investiga-
tion of the navy.
1t was reported they were prepar-
ing an exhaustive list =. questions to
ask him on cross-eXamination, and
that he will be required to prove his
charges. Otherwise, Daniels may in
stitute a thorough inquiry by a navai
board, as he says he Is determined to
give Sims allegations a through air
ing.
The Investigation by q naval board.
while not an actual court.martinl or
Sims, would be conducted with the
idea Of making him prove his charges
or be branded as having made base
less allegations and thereby stirred
up an International commotion.
Sims. II Is understood, is prepar-
ing to bring forward proof. Oueu
naval officers will be called TO tes'
tlfy. The result may bs one OF tho
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