The Pensacola journal., 1920-01-21
FILLIBUSTER HALTS PROBE
Hitchcock and Other Democrats
Oppose Republican Counsel
i'm Naval Awards Case.
ACCUSATIONS POINTED
Controversy Was First Started
in Senate by Resolution OF
Walsh Criticising Sims.


Washington, Jan. 21--ln eonouc.iiie
a successful filbuster today against
resolution authorizing the senate sub
committee investigating decorations 70
employ counsed,s Senator Hitchcock
democrat of Nebraska, charged repuo-
licans with employing republican party
leaders us counsel in trying to develop
every fact that could be used in par
tisan manner.
Chairman Hane interrupted the de-
bate 70 say ii was evidently a filibus-
ter was in progress and he would WIN
draw the motion for immediate vote
1t viii probably come up again tomor-
row.
The controversy first reached the
senate today when Walsh, democrat
of Montana introduced a resolution
critizing Rear Admiral Sims for laying
before the world during his recent tes-
tinony before the committee, 'Intsruc-
tions o. most confidential nature"
After a short debate on the objection
with Senator Lodge of Massachusett
the resolution went over.
Rear Admiral Grant told the COM
mittee today that contrary to popular
belief Thomas A. Edison had but little
10 40. with the perfection of subma-
rine detecting devices during the war.
Grant ssid two young officers on his
staff Commander @. c. Mcdowell and
Lieutenant Commander Miles Libbey
We're largely responsible for develop
ment of the apparatus. He said he
reeomme nded them for navy crosses
bur they did not get them.
The resolution declaring that the
action OF Rear Admiral Sims in max
ing public official instructions of the
most confidential character" affect
ing inter national relations. deserved the
condemn alton of all Americans, was
introduced in the senate today by
Senator Walsh, democrat of Montana,
a member of the naval committee. His
request for immediate consideration
was denied on objection of republican
leader Lodge.
The resolution quoted from the letter
read by Admiral Sims before the SEN
ate committee investigating naval deco
rations ii which the admiral said that
before he left the United States for
Europe IA March. 1917, he was told by
naval official not to "let the British
pull the wool over your eyes; it is none
Of our business pulling their chestnuts
out Of the fire; we would as soon fight
the British as the Germans" Admiral
Sims must have and did consider these
instructions. if they ever were given,
10 be OF the most highly confidential
character, the resolution says, adding
that his action in making them public
deserved universal and unqualified dis
approval
Il cannot but believe that whether
the above admonition was or was not
given to Admiral Sims the disclosure
under almost any circumstances must
receive tie disapproval of every Ameri-
can" said Senator Walsh.
Senate. Mccormick. republican of
Illinois declared the resolution affected
a matter that was to be later inyesti-
gated by a subcommittee and Senator
Lodge objected to consideration of the
resolution on the ground that it con-
tanned grave charges against one of the
most prominent officers in the Ameri-
can navy without giving him an op-'
portunity to defend himself.
Replying to an inquiry by Senator
Borah. republican. of Idaho, whether
Admiral Sims volunteered his letter.
Chairman Hale. Of the decorations
sub- committee said:
The admiral produced it because I
insisted. and am entirely willing to
take all responsibility"
Declaring Admiral Sims could not
object if the committee ordered the
letters production, Senator Borah said
he thought the senate was making a
mountain out of a mole hill in this en-
tire affair"
The wa ening given to Admiral Sims
against letting the British pull the
WOOL" over his eyes was approved by
Senator Borah who said the official
giving it should be commended.
Il don't find anything to censure
either Secretary Daniels or the adj
miral" sad Mr. Borah 1T was very
proper aomonition and I regret the
secretary has denied it."
Senator Walsh said the whole uues-
tton was over disclosure of confidential
orders by the ADMIRAL and senator
Thomas. democrat, of Colorado. said
II seemed % him there was sgross vio-
Iation OF somebody's confidence
Senator Phelan, democrat of Califor-
MIA, inquired whether the committees
INVESTIGATION proposed to consider. cen
sure of Aomiral Sims if he acted i'm
properly and Senator Hale replied that
the whole field would be covered. in
Guiding general investigation of the
conduct of the war in connection with
naval matters