The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1921-07-29
cENSURE---DEFEND
NAVAL ACTIVITY
aAJoRiTY COMMITTEE REPORT
SEVERELY SCORES PROGRAM
OF DANIELS IN WAR
MINORITY DEFENDS DANIELS
Admiral Sims Says Administrative De.
lays Cost SOC. 600 Lives and $fs,-
ooo, ooo.-Commendsd by Ma
josity: Assaiied by Minority

Warrington - Widely conflicting
News regarding direction OF the Amer
ran navy during the early months Of
ne war were detailed In Republican
and Democratic reports made public
sunday, Of the senate and naval com
oittes's Investigation Of controversies
sstwsen former Secretary Daniels and
Rear Admiral william g. Sims. The
seports constitute the last chapter In
ne famoas Sims Daniels controversy
y Nay. 1870. caused by Rear Admiral
simS letter sharply criticixing the
Daniels war administration.
include Former PRECEDENT
Mr.. Daniels. former President vii.
con and Rear Admiral w. b. Benson.
former chief Of operations. were scored
severely In the majority Republican
report. which charged many sins OF
smmlssion and commission In naval
war direction. These officials were M
stoutly defended and ~ highly praised
IN the minority Democratic report.
Admiral Sims was commended by the
majority and assaiied by the minority.
4 -seif-defensive. nonragTressivs
and non-heipfui policy" WAS imputed
- the Democratic administration by
the majority report. which also charged
that many serious delays in navy op.
erations resulted.
Minority Findings.
The minority found that uniform
success Of our operations amply dem,
onstrated the wisdom Of the policies
adopted and the plans carried out BY
the navy department" and "instead
NJ censure and criticism the
department ~ well as the service de.
serves the hearty commentator OF
this commission and Of the American
people"
Senators Hale. Maine: Ball, Della.
ware. and Reyes. New Hampshire.
signed the Republican majority report.
and Senators Pittman. Nevada. and
Trammei. Florida. the Democratic min.
GRITTY. Zach report makes a separate
volume embracing detailed review OF
testimony from scores of witnesses
during the naval sub-committees In
auiry OF May. 1910.
Make Recommendations
The recommendation were made h,
the matority--for appointment Of
professional commission of naval of.
ficers To study and apply to the Amert
ran navy lessons Of the World war
and for n presidential commission. In
Guiding civilians TO study and recon
mend reforms In navy organization
No recommendations were presented
by the minority.
Caused by alms
The Investigation resulted from read
ing by Admiral sims. during the com
mitsee inquiry more than year age
into his controversy with Mr.. Daniel,
over naval awards of distinguished
service decorations. OF his letter TO
Mr.. Daniels written January 7. lpeo,
charging the navy department with
numerous delays and d~reiictions In
directing naval warfare. Many spe.
eific Recommendations for future navy
activities as lessons of the war" were
made by Admiral sims. who was In
chief command Of naval operations
overseas during the war.
support was given by The majority
report 10 many of Admiral Sims
ehargea The minority asserted that
"none Of the charges tina, seemed ~ all
serious we're justified or warranted.
Admiral Sins principal contention
that administrative delays were esti.
mated TO have cost go, 600 lives and
eio.ooo.oOo unnecessarily was discussed
IN both reports