Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-01-17
SIMS SAYS NAVAL
MORALE HAS BEEN
BADLY SHATTERED
Admiral Tells How Daniels Dis
regarded Recommendations
and Gave Highest Honor to
Brother-i r-in-LaW.

tsT hoRhIhS JOURNAL SPECIAL LEAsEo wiRr'
Washington, Jan. 16.-While dis
claiming any thought of making a
personal attack on Secretary Daniels
Rear Admiral William S. Sims told
the senate subcommittee investigat-
ing naval war decorations today that
morale of the service had been
knocked to pieces" as result of
methods followed in making the
awards.
The underlying cause of THE whole
unfortunate affair."" Admiral Sims
asserted, was failure of Mr.. Daniels to
formulate a definite policy to govern
awards in his instructions TO the
Knight medal board. Grave injustices
of this, he added.
/ Admiral Sims, who during the war
commanded American forces in for
eign waters, said constru' tive critt-
cism was part of his duty to- the serv-
ice and by recent letter as well as his
Testimony, was not to be construed
Otherwise. He argued for withdrawal
of department regulations requiring
articles, withort specific sanctions, as
in the best interest of the service. In
connection with his original lekter
refusing a distinguished service medal
pending action by the secretary on
his plea for reconsideration of his
recommendation as to awards, he
said. Mr.. Daniels had written him
that no final action had been taken.
Opposes All MedalSN
Admiral Sims expressed the opin-
ion that the service generally would
welcome Withdrawals of all medals be-
cause of the unfortunate and unnec-
eSsary" controversy tha+ had arisen
Taking up the secretaoksj announced
policy of awarding deFistinguished
lielvlte medals 10 offlcess who had
lost ships in action where their serv-
ice had been meritorious, Admiral
Sims declared such officers deserved
medals of honor or nothing. He cited
the case of a British mystery ship"
sunk by q submarine after battle
from which the U-boat emerged un-
hurt. The British officer received, he
said the Victoria cross, equivalent toi
the medal of honor.
In this connection Admiral Sims
read a personal letter from Secretary
Daniels asking what steps toward
suitable recognition" of the services
of Lieut.. Com. David W. Bagley (Mr.
Daniels brother-in-law) and other
officers of the destroyer Jacob Jones.
sunk without warning by an enemy
torpedo, had been taken and his own
reply stating that officers in cases like
this deserved no particular recogni-'
ton. Admiral Sims also presented a
personal letter he had written Bagley
at the time, commencing his conduct
after the sinking of the Jones. which
letter he said was in addition to the
formal commendation made part of
Bagley's military record.
Has Sharp Words.
During the hearing Admiral Sims
engaged in heated verbal tits with
Senators Pittman, democrat Nevada,
and Trammell. democrat of Florida.
who showed q disposition to cross
question him in detail.
Before Admiral Sims was heard, |
Senator Pittman made determined
effort to have Mr.. Daniels called as
the first witness, declaring the COM
mittee was showing discourtesy in
calling a subordinate first. His mo-
ton was defeated on party lines.
Summing UP his objections to the
decorations award policy. Admiral
Sims declared that awarding of
medals to men who lost their ships
in action without engaging the enemy
was without precedent in the history
of the American navy or any other
navy and had resulted in absolutely
the morale of the service"
Officers of the navy. the admiral
said, would much rather have no
medal awarded than to have them |
juggled around. He said that his chief /
criticism was not that some of his |
had not been ap-
proved, but was that by awarding
medals of different value than he rec
commended to various officers of his |
staff, the board and the secretary had |
the relative order of merit |
of the service of the officers, con-
ferring high decoration on officers |
who performed more or less routine |
duty and lower honors on officers |
who administered posts of extreme
Importance.