Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-20
SENATE COMMITTEE
FOR FULL INQUIRY
Daniels Declares Admiral Sims
Must Make Good His
Allegations.
NAVY MORALS ARE ASSAlLED
Rathom Accuses Naval Secretary
With Sponsoring Vile and
Nanelcss Practices.
NAVY MORALS ARE ASSAlLED

WASTIiNGTON, Jan. la.-CharSes az
Rear Admiral William 5. Sims that
tho Navy Department failed to COOP
crate fully with the allies during the
world war will be investigated by tho
Senate subcommittee before which
they were made.
This was decided today by the fun
Naval Committee. which also author
lied appointment of another subcom-
mttec to determine whether there
should be an inquiry into charges made
by John Il. Rathom, editor of the
proyidencs ~, 9,h ,hdG &c CT, ~ Journal, and a
knowledge of Secretary Daniels many
seamen in the navy have been used
order to cntrap innocent mem
Meanwhile, Il court Of inquiry is in
sigh, so-, -Admira! Sims, il the CON. n
bottom Of all the charges made by the
admiral, and his motives in attack
ing the naval administration. OF which
actual and active head" Secretary
Finish Awards Probe First.
Inquiry into Admiral Sims charges
VIII not be started by the Senate sub
committee until It's present investiga-
which ,proba bly, will be within ten days
That Investigation was continued to- J.
day. with Admiral Sims concluding his
mander- -in-chief of the Atlantic Fleet
during the war. will be called tomor-
The full Naval Committee met to-,
day in executive session. Senator
pittman. Democrat, Nevada, sought to
xs aa4a sm saTesst h
saeh9setts, objected on the GROUND
other pressing matters. Senator Pitt
man then sought to have special
ton was defeated.
Charge Immoral Conditions.
- VIII, Wltn this matter disposed OF. the
Senator Lodge and other members by
Mr.; Rathom. charging immoral con-
ditions in the navy. and it authorized
mittee to make a preliminary inquiry
TO develop whether an investigation
was warranted
MIR. Rathom alleged that there was
division OF the, naval intelligence
created and maintained for the specific
trap innocent men" and that as the
result of the practices re orted 10
The ss,n morale al e,s, e the Navy p,partnsns
that the entire blame for this situa
tion stands at the door of Mr.. Daniels
and nowhere else" and that I'VE have
sertions."
IL is alleged in the charges that the
me purpose OF giving bad name % to the the
that the naval framing ts Station .ae [eSa.s Was
own state. North Carolina.
Secretary Daniels declined to com.
ment on Mt Rathom's charges. de-
a statement until he was more fnmil.
lar with the allegations. Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt, who was said b.
the matter. asserted that the specio
board OF inquiry appointed by the
}nase na xv.sss ,adysoeateo genera! OF the na.,
investigate the methods employed by
naval intelligence officers In securing
evidence against persons under suspi-
rion OF moral delinquency, and to IN.
anire into judic. al procedure OF the
ravy at Newport
While charges OF improper methods
OF obtaining evidence In such cases
hsns hsye been s,nn in tn the hands of the Nay
Roosevelt said. the department. has
withheld action upon them until the
cases OF several civilians brought to
navy. Including the Rev. Samuel Neal
Kent, were disposed OF in the Federal
oegir;s, eonr,s; The aoard Of inquiry. the
ut once with it's investigation, with
full power to subpoena witnesses and
get at all tho facts.
Entering general denial of the
Sims charges against the Navy De-
partmcnt, the Naval Secretary declared
unless at the Senate Investigation tho
charges are proven to the entire salts
faction of the American people. an in
4uiry VIII be made by naval board"
Sims has simply charged that his
superior officers were acting in bad
faith with Great Britain. 1t was
stated that this Is the consideration
that, caused Secretary Daniels to issue
his letter disavowing the construction
put on his instructions. by Admiral
sims. The letter was manifeStly intend
ed to head off some possible inquiry OF
made by Admiral sims The s''istats stats
DDepartment denies that 1t asked
Daniels in his letter says IL was sus
'seSted by some one of diplomatic
ability" lie declined. however, 10
The Secretary emphasized that Ad-
miral Sims was not COMMANDMENTS
chief of the American naval forces
e was snbordinats a TO Amlra ,he xs war
as commander Of the. Atlantic q Fleet,
and to Admiral Benson, chief Of naval
operations. Hc said Admiral sms'
to the department.. and then TO obey
the orders issued after those recon-
mendations were considered.
Daniels Hints at Clashes.
Mr.. Daniels indicated that thcrs
were frequent clashes between tho de-.
partment and Admiral Sims because
destroysrs were not withdrawn from
duty In tho submarine zone. and added
that IL was the paramount duty OF
the navy to protect American soldiers
Declaring that when all tho facts
were laid bare the country would aa
proud OF the navy's record In the war.
be required TO establish every csiti-
cism he has made OF the department. =.
When the smoke blows away" the !,