South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-05-27
VERBAL TILT
MARKS CLOSE
OF HEARING
Cross Examination of Secy
Daniels Concluded by
Naval Committee.
By Associated Press

By Associated Press:
WASHINGTON. May 26.-Cross
examination Of Secretary Daniels by
the senate naval investigating COM
mittee was concluded Wednesday at
a session marked by heated clashes
between the naval secretary and Sen.
Pittman, democrat. Nevada, on one
hand, and Chairman Hale, on the
other. Rear Admiral Sims, whose
charges against the navy depart
ment brought about the investiga
ton, will take the stand in rebuttal
Thursday. Chairman Hale indicat-
ed that the admiral would be the last
witness and that his statement
would be brief.
Makes Threat.
In the course of a verbal tilt with
Sen. Hale, Wednesday. Secretary
Daniels threatened to carry to the
full senate naval committee a pro-
OF the inquiry. The secretary
charged that a steam roller" was
being used on him and characterized
as unfair and unjust" and a stigma
on the navy" long compilation OF
statistics Chairman Hale sought 10
read into the record.
The tabulation, Sen. Hale said.
was compiled in his office from fig
ures submitted by Mr.. Daniels and
related TO the state OF preparedness
of the majority Of the ships of the
navy just prior TO the declaration OF
war by the United States. Mr. Dan
tells retorted that the chairman has
misinterpreted the department tis
ures and that in the Hale compila-
ton the dreadnaught Arizona was
listed as having been unfit 10
fight" on Feb. >, 1917.
Declines to Answer.
THE Arizona unfit 10 fight, " Mr..
Daniels said. "it is laughable.
decline 10 answer any questions
based on such a tabulation and de-
nounce Il as unfair. unjust and
stigma on the American navy.
will carry my protest TO the fun
naval affairs committee if neces-
sary."
Chairman Hale said he would
otherwise designate the columns
marked fit TO fight" and unfit TO
fight" and then put the compilation
in the record. Secretary Daniels
demanded that the senator take the
stand as a witness and take the oath
before submitting evidence. This
the chairman refused TO do, and Mr..
Daniels then demanded that the per-
son who made the com mpilation be
sworn as a witness. Again he was
over-ruled by the chairman. Sen.
Pittman at this point protested
against the tabulatiOn going into the
record and left the room after the
chairman had announced he would
not yield in his stand.
No Quorum.
10
a point OF no quorum. Chairman
Hale pOlled the committee. He and
Sen. Keyes. republican. \ew Hamp-
shire. voted. and the chairman an
nOunCed that he was authorized TO
cast the vote OF Sen. Ball. republi-
can. Delaware. The tabulation then
went into the record without fur
ther words.
The remainder Of the session was
devoted TO a discussion OF technical
details Of the navys cooperation in
the war and a long debate between
the chairman and the secretary re
Rarding the contribution of the
North sea mine barrage. an Amer
lean project. toward ending the sub
marine campaign. Mr.. Daniels char
acteriZed the barrage the navy's
greatest contribution toward defeat
ing the T-boat campaign. while
Sen. Hale sought 20 show that the
project had actually little influence
in ending the war.