Evening journal., 1920-01-21
rnr DESK SERVICE MEDAL.D

~ that by vote OF 1873 TO 1913 lhe House has adopted
resolution directing The Secretary Of War to furnish all
the data in his possession relating to the award OF the
distinguished medal the desk service medal
as It is known by some.
lie must state The specific acts for which the medal
given to each officer, enlisted man. or civilian who
received the decoration and also list OF officers sitting
on boards OF award who CAV, the medal to themselves or
their colleagues
What will follow after the information is available
remains seem but from statements already made on
the floor OF the House II IS highly probable that such
OF affairs will be disclosed in the secretarys reply
that sweeping investigation Of the whole matter viii
be ordered.
The distinguished service medal Is analogous In the
distinguished service except that tho meritorous
acts which awarded not performed in the face
Of The enemy and involve no peril to life.
It has been charged IN the House debates that mem
bers OF the General Stan at Washington and also stan
officers OF the forces have almost without excep
tlon been given tho decoration.
It's beslowa has also been used TO placate other OH
GERS whom the Chief OF stan wished TO remove to some
point where they would not be hndrance TO his own
plans
One instance Of the latter character Is the case Of
General Mccain who served AdlulantGenera Of the
Army at Washington until August. 1915 and then sud-
denly removed and put in command Of cantonment
Everybody familiar with McCans record at the War
once pays the highest tributes to his efficiency but 1t Is
said that counter TO General March some occa-
slons and was transferred He handed medal to
soften his indignation.
Other cases by the have been cited to show that
the spirit OF the law authorizing the award Of the dis
tngushed service medal has been ignored by the boards
who selected officers for the decoration.
One Individual got re medal for advocating and per-
ssenty urging the adoption Of the selectve service
law"
In other words he sought to influence The acts Of
Congress
OF another officer in France it is said that "he has
enabled our enter each engagement with that
preparedness and efficiency that have distinguished the
American Army In each battle
It has been charged that thousands Of American boys
were forced into battle without having fired mill
tary re yet this chief Of the training section is given
medal for exceptionally meritorous and distinguished
services"
Another recipient was recognized because "he was
placed in charge Of physical training in o&cers training
camps
sim another because he contributed materially TO
the successful conduct OF mlitarydipomatic relations
between the War Department and the allied military
mission"
medal was presented to an officer because "he re-
veaed marked ability in the Inspector OF CONDUCT and
Methods TO another FOR the manner in which he organ
lied and co-ordnated the several activities Of the salvage
depot at ST. Pierre de Corps Still another for his work
In connection with the selection Of types Of European
aeronaulica material to be manufactured in the United
States"
Perhaps most surprising Of all, medal was given to
an officer Of whom IL is said that he organized and adj
minstered with marked ability the postal service OF the
American Expedtonaly Forces
With the Senate engaged in Investigation Of the
awards Of medals the Naval Service, and the House
taking up similar recognons in the army. the coun-
try is likely to have revealed to IL condition Of affairs
that will equal not transcend the other revelations Of
maladmnistraton that have been the order OF the day
ever since the signing OF the arr ice and before