New-York tribune., 1920-01-21
Mayo's Medal
4 List Failed to
/ Pass Daniels
Out of IL Awards Recon-.
mcnded by Navy Com
mander in Chief One Was
Approved by Secretary
Tried to Draft a System
Fleet Commanders Better
Judges of Merit Than De-
partn1ent Head, He Saws
Ne.r York Tvtb<a4$s
Woskim0tCn Bureau

Ne.c York Ty;1u+s
WosAawoto~ Bureau
? WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.-Further
evidence Of tho confusion which re-
suited from the failure Of Secretary
OF the Navy Daniels to establish a uni
fed policy with respect to the award
OF naval decorations was laid before
the Senate subcommittee to-day by
Rear Admiral n. 7. Mayo, who served
during the war - commander In chief
Of the American Aeet, with the rank Of
admiral.
Rear Admiral Mayo, like Admiral
Sims, stated he had tried to or
sanfze system that would place the
recommendations for these awards on
IN equal basis. but thst before this
vas fully carried out the war had been
brought to elose and he had been re-
tired from his command.
OF the twelve officers Of his STAFF
whom he personally recommended for
the Navy Gross, he testified, all except
one were turned down by the Secretary
OF the Navy. In this connection he
read to the committee 4 letter written
by him to Secretary Daniels on De-
csmber % last, in which he urged a
reconsideration of the decisions in
these cases.
Admiral Mayo emphasized, however,
that this letter WAS not intended as
. protest. He conceded that Secretary
Daniels had scted within his rights in
failing TO consult with him before re-
1eet'ng his recommendations. At the
same time he Endorsed the contention
OF Admiral Sims that the feet COM
menders in closer contact with the
nehtlng forces were In much better
position than the Secretary to pass
on the relative merits of those en-
titled to decorations.
Barnett TO Testify To-day
The subcommittee had finished its
examination Of Admiral Mayo when it
adjourned this afternoon. and to-mor-
row it will have before it Major Con-
eral George Barnett. commandant of
the Marine Corps, who will be asked 20
testify concerning the awards made by
Mr.. Daniels to officers aud men of this
branch Of the service.
Friends Of Secretary Dsniels re-
garded the testimony of Rear Admiral
Mayo as being on the whole favorable
to the Secretary. and Mr.. Danisls him
self seemed we'll pleased with the days
developments.
Emphasizing the statement he has
frequently made since the Sims con-
troversy became public that the mat
ter of naval decorations had not been
hnAlly disposed Of by the department.,
the Secretary indicated that there may
be q revision Of the awards that would
be more favorable to the recommends
siens made by Admiral Mayo.
Admiral Mayo is a splendid officer"
he said, "and when he does not get all
he is entitled to he does not seek the
iimeiight, but simply goes ahead and
does his work."
Daniels Admits Making Mistake
Asked why he had published the list
Of Awards in his annual report If they
had not been finally closed, Mr Daniels
said:
II admit that this was a great mis-
take. I did 1t because there had been
50 much delay and SO much complaint
in the service because the navy decora-
tions had not been announced while
the army awards had been made some
time before"
Discussing before the committee tho
difficulties he had in the matter Of
recommendations. Admiral ,Msyo said:
Before my recommendations were
sent in I discussed the matter with
ofhcers Of my command, and in view Of
lished to guide US in the recommends
tions for the Distinguished SeYvies
Medal, l decided to adopt very con-
servative policy and restrict my rec
concentrations for this award 70 man
who had distinguished themselves in
positions Of very great responsibility.
my personal recommendations were
limited principally to members Of my
STAN and to those officers entitled to
out 3or them. I decided that With re-
spsct to officers Of my stan would pro-
pose the smaller decoration Of tho Navy
Cross, and l made this tsccmme endat3on
with respect to about twelve officers
81 my staf. All except one were turned
down.
Sims Reported to Washington
"Rsali.ing the urgency, from the
uniform policy adopted, recommend
ed to the Navy Department that all
proposals for awards In the floating
force in my command be forwarded
through me. in order that might pass
on them. Such an order was issued, but
before 1t was fully carried out the
war came to an end, the deet was d.
vided and / was retired. UP to that
TINA ! had not received the recommen-
dsts cations I,s,;t Of Admiral =. Sims, and had no
The only point at which Admiral
Mayo's testimony approached the ques-
tion Of general naval management dur
ing the war was when he was describ-
ing the organization Of the overseas
forces, commanded by Admiral Sims
IN their relation to the main feet. Ad-
rniral Sims. Admial s:ayo stated, was
supposed to be" under him, but that
actually on questions Of policy and the
operation of the ships in European
waters Admiral Sims communicates d
direct to Washington. This was done,
Admiral Mayo said, for the purpose of
expedit'ng matters and avoiding "reG
tape."
Discussing this phase Of tho situa-
ZION, Secretary Daniels explained that
The duties Of Admiral sims on The