Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-03-08
STILL ROWING
Continued from paee Ono

STILL ROWING
Continued from Pass ons)
defending the .secretaIy's course and
directing their attack, in turn, at
Rear Admira, William Sims, the most
prominent figure in the controversy
stirred up over navy medals and
crosses.
In one respect the three reports are
unique. They agree on two point;
that NO permanent harm has come to
the naval moral as a result OF the
awards or the controversy enlisted
men received no share Of the recogni-
ton for their services.
The majority reports signed by
Senator'S Hale, Mccormick and Poin-
dexter. arraiSns Mr.. Daniels Tor not
having fully advised officers as to his
plans in making awards and asserts
that his policy OF decorating officers
who lost ships would be detrimental
to the navy. Senator Pittman, in the
first minority report characterized
the investigation as a tempest In =
teapot, too ridiculous to be mention
ed in connection with the morale Of
a fighting navy.
In the second minority Senator
Trammel, declared fatty that navy
morale had not been harmed as Ad-
miral Sims had contended and assert
ed that Mr.. Daniels followed estab
lished naval custom in changing rec
concentrations Of his subordinates as
fhnSa HfT7narc thon,Sn3ync hoI
with proposals Of their Juniors.
The majority report reached the
following conclusions:
That Secretary Daniels did not
make known to the service his policy
as to awards. especially with regard
to the relative Importance Of duty
en- shore and atioat. Fewer changes
would have been necessary later had
he done so, tho report said.
That the secretary did not ascer-
tain from the officers who recon-
mended honors, the relative order Of
merit and did not give sufficient con-
slderation TO that injury to the mo-
lale Of the value Of awards resulting.
That Secretary Daniels did not require
Il sufficiently high standard Of merito-
rious conduct in confirming honors OIL
officers who lost ships and was moro
Jealous to further the interests Of COM
manders who lost ships than Of other
commanders who, instead Of losing Their
ships, destroyed or seriously damaged
the ships Of the enemy"
That the statute governing naval
awards should be amended to avoid fu-
ture controversy.
In regard to certain matters not di-
iecrly connected with the question OF
awards developed during the hearings.
referring to charges as to lack OF full
cooperation with the allied admiralties,
made by Admiral Sims, the report said
they were not at this time within the
province Of the committee.
THE whole purpose of the sub-com-
mittee,' it continued, has been not to
decide the differences Of the officers Of
the navy Or between officers Of the navy
and officials Of the navy department.,
but to assist in arriving at settlement
of the question Of awards in the nav,
which shall be for the best interests OF
the navy.
oN>'' bSsASS ~ ShaACd, II CVus
tnued. the subcommittee Is Of the
opinion. that The men most entitled 10
awards would however consider them. -
Senator Pittman contended that the
investigation was unsuccessful because
The naval award matter was being re-
investigated BY the Knight board by di-
rection of Secretary Daniels when the
Investigating committee was appointed.
Like most congress investigations OF
n similar character" he said, "it serve
no beneficial purpose
THE airing Of the personal grievances
of an admiral and giving publicity tu
critical and Geprecatory statements
made by admirais with regard TO the
accomplishments OF the navy during the
war tended to besrirch glory never
before Questioned Senator Isittman
said.
Admiral Sims believed the senator
said that the distinguished service
medal should only be awarded to q
few of the highest officers in the navy
and that it would be cheapened BY
awarding it to junior officers and en-
listed men.
Criticising Admiral Sims for hay
ing made special point Of alleged
injustice to six members Of his staff,
Senator Pittman declared that the
award Of a distinguished service
medal to Commander D. W. Bag,ey
Secretary Daniels brother in lag.
about whom much of the controversy
centered was justified.
Senator Tranmell. Democrat, Flo.-
Ida, in separate report said that
Secretary Daniels in changing recon.
mendations made by Commanding
officers and the knight board was
following established naval custom
and the same policy was pursued by
Admiral Sims with regard to recon-
nendations made to him. Admiral
Sims criticism Of Secretary Daniels,
senator Trammell said, implied also
criticism Of Admiral Mayo, GIeaveas.
Grant, Niblack the members OF the
BOARD OF awards and other naval off,
GERS all Of whom exercised their own
Judgment in passing on the recon.
mendations Of subordinates.
The report said those officers whose
duty 1T was to initiate recommends
IONS were recreant in their dutv .n
so Tar as enlisted men were con.
cerned. 1t added that no difference
OF opinion existed between the ma
Jority OF naval officers and Secretarv
DanleIs regarding the decoration az
omcers who lost ships but performed
heroic or neritorious service
senator Trammell maintained +he.
the morale Of the navy remained m
ininred Vue