New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-06-24
DENLY Breaks
Up Ship Soviet:
Gusts Captain
viii Not Stand for Scheme
Backed by Daniels 10 Let
(,rew Advise Commander
in Cases of Discipline
Furnishes Two Officers
One Reprimanded, Other
Removed From Charge
of Battleship Minnesota
F-ou The Tribnne's lVashiaeton Bareau

F~en Tar 1Ttotfie HdSistHgJoA kskfs0W
WASHINGTON, June 49, Command
;nr officers on American naval vessels
must be in supreme authority and not
salegate any functions involving disci-
,l5ne TO enlisted members OF the crew.
Secretary Of the Navy DENLY emphat-
isallv decided to-day in disclosing that
: mild form Of soviet government had
been tolerated on board one vessel
during the administration of former
Secretary Josephus Daniels,
Captain Clark n Stearns has been
removed from command of the battle
shin Michigan and given shore as
sisnnscnt and another commanding of
fcer, whose name is withheld, has
been reprimanded for counsenaucing
what was described to-day as soviet
ism" on board ship.
While serving as commanding officer
of major vessel Of the Atlantic feet
Captain Stearns had permitted, with
the sanction of former Secretary Dan
iels. a committee of the crew to discuss
with him disciplinary measures con-
trary to the traditions of the navy.
The other officer involved permitted his
crew TO vote on which navy yard should
be the home port of the vessel,
Sovietisfn Violates Statutes
These two actions were characterized
To-day by Secretary DENLY as contrary
to the statute which vests solely in the
commanding officer supreme authority
over the eonduet of his men and pro-
hibits extending 70 the crew disciplin-
airy authority, direct or advisory, IN
ans event. In view Of the fact, how
ever, that the scheme of permitting the
crew voice in disciplinary matters ad-
vanced by Captain Stearns had the an
prcva) of Mr.. Daniels. Secretary DENLY
has ruled that the officer later will be
permitted to serve out his tour of sea
duty and that his record would not be
prejudiced when he appears before q
selection board for promotion.
The order approved by Captain
Stearns provided toc "ship morale
committee" to be comprised of fou,
petty officers and ten ether enlisted
men to be selected by the crew. One
Of the duties of this committee was tt
investigate and report to the ship:
captain on disciplinary matters. An
other function of the committee wa:
to lay before the captain suggestions
OF methods calculated to increase the
efficiency of the naval service.
Wilson Backs DENLY
AtSetSSolS CSiOS luQlLdItu TO-DAY
that he will not tolerate the introduc
ton of methods aboard ship that might
tend to destroy the disciplinary al
thority of the commander. In thi.
view he is supported by Admiral Henry
b. Wilson, commander in chief Of ths
Atlantic fleet, who first brought thu
attention of the Naval Secretary to tn,
Stearns incident.
The introduction of so-calied Soviet
rule aboard ship recalled to-day The
scheme of permitting workmen in gov
eminent arsenals voice in the con
duct Of these plants, approved by for.
mer Secretary of War Baker and still
IT effect in the arsenal at Rock Island.
Ill, and Frankford Arsenal, at Phila.
delphia. In these two plants there
exist committees named by the work.
men who serve in advisory capacitie:
TO the commandant on all matters
Affecting wage questions and distribu
ton of work.