The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-01-20
SHORE DUTY NOT
FULLY CREDITED.
Admiral Mayo Takes Opposite
View to That of Admiral
Sims.
CONGRESS ALSO DIVIDED
Republicans Welcome Inves-
tigation-Party Lines Re-
vealed on Question.


Washington, Jan. 20.--Congress Is
divided on strictly party lines over
the Sims Daniels controversy and In
ouiry. Republicans welcome tho in
vostigation, they say, because 1t
shows how the administration has
entangled the country. while demo-
Gratis insist the opposition party will
derive slight benefits from the affair.
Representative Claud Kitchin,
democrat from North Carolina, de-
clared the republicans would get no
political ammunition from the Sims
Daniels dispute
ut Is the fight OF the military arm
OF the government against the civil
authority" he said; the struggle OF
the military autocrats to be supreme,
The political effect on the adminis-
tratlon will not amount TO anything.
Rear Admiral Henry 7. Mayo, com
mander- in chief of the United States
fleet during the war, told the senate
committee investigating naval awards
today that his letter to Secretary
Daniels on Dec. %, declaring that the
knight board did not give sufficient
consideration to service at sea, par
ticularly to the duties and RESPONSE
bilities of members of the staff OF
the commander chief of the fleet
was not to be considered In any sense
one OF protest. He read the letter
at the request OF Chairman Hale,
Admiral Mayo took a view diamet-
rically opposed to that expressed by
Rear Admiralt Sims, who told the
subcommittee the knight board, in
granting awards, gave too little con-
sideration to the records of officers
who served on shore. The navy de-
partment made public Admiral
Mayo's letter on the subject some
days ago.
The examination of Admiral Mayo
began under the ruling made yester-
day by the senate naval committee
that the present investigation should
be confined entirely TO the question
of war decoration awards, charges
made by Admiral Sims that the navy
department did not cooperate fully
with the allies during the war being
deferred for later investigation.
Suggestion o. k'd.
Admiral Mayo said his letter wal
written after practically all OF his rec
| concentrations had been changed or dis,
| approved by tho board or Secrctar,
| Daniels,
II made very few recommendation
| for awards" ho said. muHtiy Ia III
I cases 0f members OF my personal VBthff
force commanders and commanders op
Grating Independently. In the case o
| Capt. O. j. Jackson, my chief OF stan
| In view of other commanders recon-
| monding their chief ados for dis
| tlnguiHhed service medals. tho boar,
increased my recommendation OF
| navy cross TO distinguished service
medal but Secretary Daniels reduce,
| II back 10 navy cross. Capt Jackson
was the only member of my staff
believe, VINO finally received any dec
orntion at nll."
Didn't Report TO Him.
Testifylng that Admiral Sinus wa
during the war, Admiral Mayo said tha
In order to facilitate matters Admiru
Sims did not report To him. but dircctl,
10 the navy department. Lack OF
well-d defined policy for the, award o
| naval honora mny have had bearinl
on the decoration situation. Admira
Mayo said, adding;
Both the board and -,the secretar,
wer acting within their rights and pre-
rogatlves In changing Recommendation
for awards"
But don't you believe Admiral tha
| the board and the secretary should have
consulted you before changing YOU
Recommendations" asked Chairman
| Hale.
mo, I do not" replied tho admiral
II do not believe II would have beer
| practicable. II might have been de-
sirnblo. however"
corrects Chairman Hale,
II do not say / was Bntlsnod with
the result OF the action Of the bonrt
| and the secretary" added Admirn
| Mayo, but ! do say that they had tn,
right TO take such action aH they wished
an dto assume the responsibility, Chair,
| man Hale said there was no record thai
Commander =, W Foote now persona
| aide to Secretary Daniels. had beer
| recommended by any officer for docora
tion. although the secretary awarded
| him a distinguished service medal Ad
miral Mayo replied that he had MP
| proved n recommendation by Admira
Glonves commanding the cruiser IN,
transport force. TINT Foote awarded
distinguished medal