The Washington herald., 1920-01-17
sims DISCUSSES
| MEDAL AWARDS
Admiral Speaks Mind at
Senate Probe Of Row
| With Daniels.
OWN STAFF SIGHTED
Reviewing Board Honored
Secretary's Kin Who
Lost His Ship.
OWN STAFF SIGHTED

| Sharp criticism of Secretary DAN
iels' policies in the conduct of the
navy was uttered yesterday at the
opening of the Senate sub-commit-
tees investigation of the manner in
which awards for distinguished
service in the war were made.
Admiral Sims. who was supreme
commander of the American naval
operations abroad. declared the
awards had been characterized by
extreme favoritism to officers who
performed no real service of a dis
tinguished character. and that the
morale of the service had been all
shot to pieces" by the methods
adopted by Secretary Daniels.
Throughout his testimony, Ad-
miral Sims spoke with absolute
frankness in expressing his opinion
of what Secretary Daniels did in
making the awards. At times he
was drawn into Tits with Senators
Pittman and Trammel. the Demo-
cratic members of the subcommit-
tee, who undertook to defend Sec
rotary Daniels course.
Got Medal for Being Captured.
The admiral expressed bitter dis
| approval of the action of Secretary
Daniels AMI the reviewing board.
headed by Rear Admiral knight. in
setting aside the recommendations
made by the senior officers who were
in command abroad. Enumerating
some of the cases which came under
his particular notice, Admiral Sims
said he had recommended three men
for the Distinguished Service Medal
and all were refused. The only man
under him who was given the D.
S. NJ. he said. was an officer who
did nothing except to be captured by
the enemy. Admiral Sims drew a dis
tinction between naval officers who
assisted in the sinking of enemy
submarines. and those who lost their
ships. The most conspicuous in
stance OF this kind was that of Com
mander Baglcy. brother-fn-Ilw OF
Secretary Daniels. who was given IA
Distinguished Service Medal upon
Secretary Daniels recommendation
after he had lost his ship in con-
tact with the enemy.
Admirars stan Sighted.
| On the other hand. Admiral Sims
stated. his chief officer. Commander
J. V. Babcock. who performed i'm
valuable service, was recommended
by him for d. S. NJ. and was cut
down TO a navy cross. Out of his
entire staff of 2o2 officers, only 10 got
medals. the Admiral stated
At the same time Admiral Sims was
testifying before the Senate sub
committee, Rear Admiral Washing
ton. chief of the Bureau OF Naviga-
ton. told the House Naval Affairs
Committee that the whole navy
would have been better OF without
any medals
Admiral Washington denied. how
ever, that dissatisfaction over the
awards had materially affected the
morale Of the officers or men
Reports have been circulated" con-
unued the Admiral. that the enlisted
men were Disseminated against in
being honored. but this is due to the
fact that so few sea battles were
| fought the nom ommissioned men
had little chance to display their
bravery and skill"
You are satisfied then" asked
Representative Hicks. Republican, of
New York. that the patriotism and
loyalty of the men in the navy is
above the question of these awards -
There is no doubt of it," said Ad-
mirai Washington.