Evening star., 1925-10-14
MORALE OF NAVY
HURT BY UNFRAMED
HEADS, SAYS SIMS
Retired Admiral Tells Board
Air Development Is Impossi-
BILE in Such Atmosphere.
OPPOSED TO SEPARATE
AVIATION Department
Initiative of Subordinates Blight
ed by Unmilitary Administra.
tion, He Says.

ed by Unmilitary Administra-
tion, He Says.
The Navy Department Is adminis-
tered by unframed leaders in violation
of military principles, which Is detri-
mental to morale of the service,
Admiral William S. Sims, retired,
commanding the American forces in
European waters during the war, de-
clared before the Presidents air
board today. The admiral's testimony
was by far the most pointed and pic
turesque yet delivered before the
board with the possible exception Of
! Col. William Mitchell's obstructive
criticism" statement
The Shenandoah disaster, the ad-
mlral said. 'is a symbol of the con-
| t1nuous violation of this age-old prtn-
ciple that is destroying morale and
blightins initiative of subordinates-
which Is unreasonable, unscientific and
unmilitary administration. Such meth
DDS applied by high officials of a great
railroad would wreck its equipment.
No War Pressure.
why is this allowed to go on? Prin-
clpally because we don't feel the pres
sure of war over here as the Euro
peans do" he said.
I'VE have had men appointed to
high positions whom the whole Navy
knew to be entirely inefficient. They
hadn't even looked in a book
I'VE are getting tired of it. We
are not stupid on this side. just in
different. because we are SO far re-
moved from the possibility of war"
The admiral said there was no
policy in the Navy dealing with ayia-
ton. The Navy Department belittles
the power Of the plane while the air
men regard it as rapidly developing.
A policy must be established. he said,
before a useful decision is reached
Admiral Sims opposed a department
of national defense or separate corps
In the Navy on the grounds that air
men must be indoctrinated with the
principles of Navy strategy and tao
tics.
Admiration for Airmen.
Il have the greatest admiration for
! the airmen. for their courage, skill
and loyal devotion. The deserve all
the praise they get and much Of what
they give themselves, but they are
mistaken in assuming that as mem
bers of separate air force or, as
members Of a separate air corps in
the Navy they can acquire either the
nautical, tactical or strategic knowl-
edge of the line officer in handling
fleet air forces In efficient, tactical
and strategical cooperation with the
plans of the ommander-in-chief.
Il understand that figuratively they
look down on us who never get off
the earth and regard us as old fogies,
who are away behind the times"
The airplane, the admiral declared,
| has supplanted the battleship as the
major weapon of warfare and good,
fast carrier can lick any battleship."
He said those who believe in the fu-
ture of the airplane want definite
policy announced that aircraft is 60
ing to get complete control OF the
air and mot the policy now of a we'll
balanced fleet, which means nothing,
but is dangerous at the same time
Senator Bingham interrupted the
witness and said that Secretary VIII
bur, in testimony before the board.
had declared there was mo such thing
as control of the air as long as the
Navy has one plane"
II wonder who told him that"
asked Admiral Sims as the spectators
roared.
THAT remark Of the Secretary's,
although he does not suspect it,
doesn't mean anything at all. really"
development Is Impossible"
The development Of an efficient air
force in the Navy is impossible" un-
der present influences, Admiral Sims
declared. He said the Navy Is ruled
by the Daniels cabinet which is
still in the saddle. They are earnest,
honest. hard-working, able men, but
the idea seems to be that the depart
ment has supreme authority over all
operations. he said. This is done
through an ignorant conviction Of
duty, faithfully performed. Manifest
ly, development of an efficient air
force is impossible under such influ-
ence."
I'm London" the admiral said,
"you can go into any barber shop
and they will tell you the names and
histories of all the British admirals.
Over here you never hear Of one
unless he gets in trouble"
He decried the failure of the Navy
to put into key positions in the Navy
Department officers who had grad
uated from the Naval War College.
England, he added. would never think
of such a thing. THE Army system
on the general staff is vastly superior
and should be adopted by the Navy
declared the witness. He said while
he was on active duty and after I
gave up hope with the Secretary
he wrote q letter to the Assistant
Secretary to put three War College
men on the general board to buck
up the morale His suggestion was
not followed, he added.
Course at War College.
"a man can go to sea for 20 years
and not see a maneuver such as We
carry out on the game board at tho
War College," the admiral said He
then explained the course at the col
lege and said the Navy would know
whom to appoint to important posi-
tions after "a student had completed
course there.
The admiral said his interest in the
present controversy was in making it
clear that an air force must be trained =
with the Navy.
"Then you don't agree with Gen.
Mitchell's plan for department of
national defense?" asked Senator
Bingham.
mo, 1 DON'T" replied the admiral.
But / have the greatest respect
for him. He is a bully good fellow
and he has done splendid work in
getting the question before the pub
lie, particularly before a board like
this. We are tired of congressional