Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-01-21
ADMIRAL MAYO AND SIMS SPLIT IN THE MEDAL CONTROVERSY Comparative Value of Duty Ashore and at Sea
 is Issue PRAISES OFFICERS OF
 SHIPS THAT SANK Two, Whose Awards Were Opposed by Sims, Meet With High
 Approval From
 Mayo

Washington, Jan. 20.-Direct is- sue with Rear Admiral William s. Sims on two leading controverted points in the naval decorations dis pute was taken today by Rear Ad- miral Henry T. Mayo, wartime con- mander of the United States fleet, in testimony before the senate sub committee Investigating the medal award controversy.
 Reading his letter to Secretary Daniels giving his views of decora- tions awards, which views, he said were not presented as protest, Ad- miral Mayo first disagreed with Ad- miral Sims as to the relative impor- tance of sea and shore duty. Admir- al Mayo explained to the committee that he wrote to Secretary Daniels because he did not believe the Knight Board of Awards or Mr. Dan iels had given sufficient considera- tion to the importance of the duties performed by officers who served at sea with the Atlantic fleet. Admiral Sims in his testimony and also in his letter to Secretary Daniels declining the distinguished service medal, con- tended that too much importance was attached to the services of officers who served at sea as compared with those who administered important posts on shore.
 The second point on which Admir- al Mayo differed with Admiral Sims was the question of the award of medals to the commanding officers of ships sunk or seriously damaged by torpedo attack or mines. While stating that a broad general policy along that line would not be good thing for the service, Admiral Mayo declared that in cases where the commanding officers conduct was of an especially meritorious character a proper reward should be given. Ad- miral Mayo approved without quali- fication the action of the Knight Board and Secretary Daniels in awarding distinguished service med als to Captain Christy of the cruis- CT San Diego, sunk by mine, and Commander P. w. Foote of the trans port President Lincoln. sunk by a torpedo. Admiral Sims severely criticized the action of Secretary Daniels in insisting on the awards to the commanding officers of ships sunk bv the enemy.
 Admiral Mayo's testimony was brief and tomorrow the sub-commit- tee will hear Major General Barnett commandant of the marine corps.
 Probe Moral Charge.
 The naval award controversy reach ed the floor of the senate today through presentation of a resolution by Chairman Hale of the sub-com- mittee to authorize employment of counsel and clerical force to aid in the investigation. Although final action was prevented by absence ot quorum, there was considerable rado; King, Utah; and Phelan, Cali. fornia, democrats; questioning the necessity of counsel. Chairman Hale discussion Senators Thomas, Colo, in reply said the resolutio nhad beer approved unanimously by the sub. committee, and Senator Lodge ot Massachusetts, republican leader supporting the resolution said the charges made by Admiral Sims hac made the investigation virtually ar inquiry into the conduct of the war by the navy.
 Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt today announced the per. sonnel of board of inquiry to in. vestigate conditions at the Newport R. l., naval station, which led tt charges by John R. Rathom of the Providence, Rhode Island Journal o1 immortality in the navy. The board which was designated 10 days ago is composed of Rear Admiral Her bert o. Dunn, commandant of tht first naval district. Cant J0hn K Hines, Capt. David E. Theleen ant Ensign Henry E. Hyneman, judge advocate.