Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-05-29
CHARGES SUSTAINED.
Admiral Says Seeretary's Witnesses
Prove Contentious.

Prove Contentious.
Washington. May 2s.-Asserting
that the navy departments own wit
nesses nave agreed that for reasons
which seemed mysterious to most of
them, the navy was directed by q
pacifistic Interpretation of the policy
of neutrality, and that the policy of
the department was largely respon-
sible for the unpreparedness which
existed In 1917" Admiral Sims yes
terday concluded his testimony before
the senate investigating committee
with the submission of recommenda-
tons for the organization of the de-
partment.
These recommendations. he said,
are in substantial agreement with
those of the departments witnesses
whose efforts to establish a working
organization the secretary still con-
tinues to oppose"
The legislation proposed by the ad-
niI-') provides for a civilian. secre-
tary of the navy and two principal
subordinates, a civilian assistant sec
retary and military assistant. in
addition to the present bureau chiefs,
whose activities must be entirely
controlled and directed by the two
principal assistants of the secretary"
As the direct representative of the
president the secretary should be
charged with insuring that the navy
is prepared and conducted in ac-
cordance with national policy" the
civilian assistant to deal with all
civil questions affecting the navy
and the military assistant ito be held
strictly accountable. subject to the
supervision of the secretary as re-
CARDS national policy for the mill
tary efficiency of the navy, its prep
aration for war and its conduct in
war"
In other words" the admiral said.
congress should require by law that
when the expert advice and assist
ance which 1t provides are overruled
or disregarded the fact can in no
wise be obscured as a matter of Of
ficial record, and when such occurs
the fact always should be known to
the congress. The present system
allows great chances for obscurity Of
responsibility"
In concluding his testimony Ad-
miral Sims took up and disposed Of
each of the charges OF Secretary
Daniels reflecting on his official SER
vice, denouncing especially the Sec
retary's assertion that Sims was
willing to endanger troop transports
to save cargo ships.
Statements from Admiral Bradley
A. Fiske and Admiral William +.
Fullam, both of whom had been bit
terly attacked by Secretary Daniels.
We're read by Chairman Hale follow
ing the conclusion Of the Sims testi-
mony.
Admiral Fiske briefly reviewed his
vain attempts in 1914 to induce the
secretary to prepare the navy for
war, only to be met with the asser-
ton that there was no danger what
ever that the United States would
get into the war and to trust the
president"
Referring to the secretary's charge
that he and Admiral tiske had tried
to .Prussianize the navy" Admiral
F'ullam said that he was proud to be
classed with Admiral Fiske and
Sims, with whom all the naval offi-
GERS presented to the committee by
Secretary Daniels now agreed in
favoring the plan of organization the
secretary condemns.
There is of course one difference
Admiral Pullman said. They advo-
cate this principle after the war, ana
Fiske, Sims and advocated it before
the war. The time has come to face
the facts. The navy of the United
States was not properly prepared for
war in April, 1917. The question is.
shall such a condition be permitted
to exist again in future?"