The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-05-21
DANIELS TURNS
TABLESONH HALE
Challenges Statement That
Sims Criticisms Were
"ImpersonaI."
PRoBERs EXCEED POWERS

Washington, May 2i.--Secretary Dan
iels today accused the senate subcom-
mlttee Investigating Rear Admiral
Sims charges against the navy depart
ments conduct OF the war with having
exceeded its powers In going outside
the original controversy over naval war
decorations. The committee, Mr.. Dan
iels told CHAPMAN Hale, had given
Admiral SiI q opportunity to make
an "osteny 81 $" presentation OF his
charges w : 1T required him TO pro-
duce his v OF criticism TO the de-
The 81 = Try appeared to undergo
cross-eY 8 alton on his direct testi-
mony, = tluded yesterday After
Chairnf : ale, In preliminary state
ment, Stated that Admiral Sims
criticis : were impersonal and aimed
at RI y sibe heads and not at the
navyH A whole, Mr.. Daniels turned
the on the senator and ques-
tionGs r. Hale regarding features OF
the letter, He challenged the
chasis- to show by reading from the
letter that 1t referred. as Mr. Hale had
SaIn rsn,n TO the IN iirst few months q war
Sims letter and testimony at great
length, but Mr.. Daniels insisted that
nothing had been read showing that
Admiral Sims confined his charges to
tue nTst leW months.
Secretary Daniels declared Admiral
Sims had charged Admiral Benson. for
mer chief of naval operations, with
lacking the will to win"
Senator Hale replied that the charge
was not directed at Benson. but at the
man who had the final responsibility.
Whom do you mean?" asked Sec
retary Daniels.
''He referred indirectly to the chief
OF naval operations and directly to the
secretary OF the navy" replied the
chairman.
And in view of that, you stlll main
tain that there were no personalities
In the Sims letter. asked the secre-
tary,
Yves" replied the chairman. "That
Mr., Hale saids
u Admiral Sims thought when he
left the United States, that Admiral
Benson lacked "the will to win," he
should have SO notified President Will
son, Mr., Daniels declared.
Answers Capt. Palmer.
Mr.. Daniels replied particularly yes
terday to the charge made by Can't |
Palmer, former chief OF navigation. that |
he delayed efforts TO increase the navy's |
personnel before the war and discour- |
aged the naval reserve. He denied fat |
~ having discouraged the reserve, but |
explained that he did order enrollments |
in Class stopped when conditions be- |
came such as TO approach "a public |
Commissions were being given youths |
OF influence by navy officers without re-
gard to their qualifications. ne said. |
HIS adminitions to sop the practice |
were not needed, he added, and he was
compelled to issue drastic order wnen |
as "slackers' paradise" letter
from Admiral H. r. Mayo. former COM |
dander-in-chlef of the Atlantic fleet. |
read BY Mr.. Daniels, characterized as |
Wild statement, not at all susceptible |
=. proof and an unwarranted attack /
upon stne navy department and tae l.
navy" Admiral Sims charge. that ,ias
avs on the part OF the department pro
onged the war.
/, IN defending the department against
,e .ne aamlrars charges Mr.. Daniels said
ne officers and men OF the navy. "rn,,
1avy's record stands honorable. hirh
lnlmpeached and unimpeachable. he
'aid; and in conclusion added;
When the evidence before this COM
ulttee is iairly appraised the American
people will declare with just pride ma
satisfaction when the testing time y,
can navy"
U. $. Did Have War Plan.
The United States had pinr far
var with Germany prior 10 Anar,ca,s
NJ ntrance into the World war. secretary
lanlels stated.
The navy had detailed plans for
,ar ,', VIII all possible enemies" Danielk
Did you have plan for Germany.",
enator Hale asked.
we did. Daniels said.
did you have a plan for nosslbie
far with EnglandT" Hale continued.
decline to discuss anything con-
erninE a country with which We are |
riendiy," Daniels declared.
We're YOU kept posted as to the 1
olicy or the governments ever chang
" foreign policies between 1918 and |
ll1?" Hale asked.
Inc relation OF the president to the
ibinet and the quesfions discussed |
nd reviewed by the cabinet are not 10
dlvulEed." Daniels replied,
Charges Not Substituted,
traditions and rules of the navy
ere violated by Admiral Sims in the
nklng OF. charges against the navy de- ,,
artment,' secretary Daniels told the :
am pleased that the charges were
ade public since they have not been
lbstHuted," Daniels declared.
That 10 question for the committee |
decide. Chairman Hale. republican, |
Maine, declared 4
|