; WITCH LABEL. - M rt sVa Msuosl 1 . Man aanlmM s4 si ; wiasla a stat m. . . i mien e ws anca u oservei VOL.CX.NO. 177. SIXTEEN PAGES TODAY. RALEIGH. N. C WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 24, 19 19. SIXTEEN PAGES TODAY. PRICE: FIVE CENTS. WEATHER: Pair Wedacsdsy; Thursday fair ana colder. MINERS PRESIDENT SEEKS OUT OF JAIL TO END COAL STRIKE Alexander Howat Jailed By Federal Court Judge In Con tempt Case Released ALLEGED KEEPING STRIKE IN FORCE CAUSED ACTION GOVERNMENT OWNED PASSENGER SHIPS s RECEIVE DRY ORDER Ii Brought Into Court Again and After Agreement To Co operate In Effort To Settle Local Tie-TJp. His Case Is' Continued Until Monday Next Indianapolis. Ind, Dec. 23, A call for a meeting of to executive board of t he kTnaaslDirt rict of The TJnTled Mine Workers of Ameriea for Friday, at which steps to end the strike of 1,000 tmployes of the Central Coal and Coke Company will be taken, was issued from here this afternoon by Alexander How It. president of the district, before leav ing for liis home at Pittsburg. Kansas. Howat was released from jail today, where he had been sent following a pre liminary heoriog on eontempi of eourt charges by Federal Judge A. B. Ander eon yesterday, after he had agreed to use his influence to end the local strike. . His eall for the district meeting follow ed a telegram sent to the Kansas dis trict by William Green, international secretary-treasurer of the mine workers, ordering the strikers to return to work. Part of Geaeral Charges. New York, Dee. 23, Announce ment from Washington that Chair man Payne, of the United States Shipping Board, had decreed that government-owned pasaenger ships ia the South American serrice should be "dry," created consider able surprise in shipping eireles here. Based on previous informa tion that the application of the war-time and constitutional pro hibition laws would not apply be yond the three-mile limit, a well storked bar has been established on the Moccasin, due to sail next Sat urday. President F. C. Munson, of the Munson Steamship lane, opera tors of the fleet, said he had not been officially advised of the decree. Saya It Won Id he Handicap. Several steamship men said that the ruling, if enforced, would be a serious handicap for American ships in competition with British passen ger lines in the ssme service. ' It waa explained that the bar is elassed with the barber shop, gym nasium and other conveniences provided for passengers. Onlr one government ship of the I government-owned fleet is ready for operation tnus iar. oix einer ships are being made ready for the Munson Line South American Ser vice, and the big Leviathan is be ing, reconditioned to, enter the trans-Atlantic trade. How the pro hibition ruling will affect the Levia than ia competition with lineri un der other flags also Is being dis cussed. The Leviathan, however, probably will not be ready for ser vice for several months. Privately Owned Llnera Equipped. On all of the privately owned American passenger liners engaged in foreign trade, bars have been installed. The Manchuria, which left here this week for Hamburg, was "equipped," her agents said and the same provision is being made for the sister ship, Mongolia, and for the former American Line steamer St. Paul, St. Liuis, Nov York and Philadelphia. T NQUIRY THE! SAY El ANSW 1 mm Miner and Economist on Commission to Investigate Coal Industry and Wages Declare That They And Miners Interpret Settlement Offer Differently GENERAL MEETING MINE OWNERS BE HELD SOON Statement of Executive Com mittee Asserts That Opera tors Will Welcome a Pro gram Arising Out of Contro versy That Will Be Construe tive and Will Insure Peace Charges of contempt of eourt against Howat were part of general charges! nlvc ujrainst eighty-four international and GEN. PEnSHINu rATS district officials of the miners in which TRIRUTE TO MOTHER it wr.s alleged that the officials had vio lated the injunction issued by Judge Anderson against furtherance of the ftrike. Hearings of the charges against ell the officials except Howat have been continued twice, the second time in definitely. Howat'a alleged action in Looping a local strike in force in Kan sas, however, led to bis arraignment in lourt yesterday and eommitment to jail when he f ailed to give assurance that tha Kansas strike would be called off. Caae May Not Be Fashed. The Kansas official waa brought into ourt again today and after a general oineussion of the situation, during whieh Mr. Green agreed to use his influence as an international official in bringing nbout a settlement of the Kansaa tie up r.nd Howat Anally agreed to co operate, the latter waa released from custody. It was indicated that with icstimptiun of work at the Central Coal tind Coke Company's property, a hearing of the charges against Howat, set for next Monday, would be continued and that Howat's status would be the same "las the other officials against whom harpes still are pending but whieh. -cordiug to general belief, will not be pushed, eo long as they da not agaiu violate the court "a injunction. GIRL BANK EMPLOYE FRUSTRATES ROBBERY Cincinnati, Dec. 23. Sir automobile bandits made an unsuccessful attempt to rob the First National Bank of Lock land, n suburb, this afternoon. The men were frustrated through the presence of ninl nf a arirl employe who pushed a button that set ringing warning bell on the outside of the ban, n,- men drove up to the bank build ing in an automobile. Two of them remained in the machine and the other four went into the bank. The latter at the point of revolvers lined np the ...!.;. .the three paying tellers and three girl employee, the only onea in the i.nk at the time. As one of the robber was trying to open the gate leading to the money vault, one oi tne giri aiey ptd on in electrical contrivance con nected with a large gong on the outside of the building. Thia rang and when the robbers saw people running towards the bank from all directions tuey leap ed into thei automobile ana ipea away without obtaining any plunder. NEAR EAST RELIEF SENDS CHRISTMAS GREETINGS New York, Dec 13. Christma greet ings and thanks to the American people for their general support of the Near East Belief Fund were received here today by Henry Morgenthau, vice-chairman of the fund, in a cablegram from Col. Wm. K. Haskell, awea nign eom- ...inner in the Trana-Caueasna mad East relief representative there He told of what had been accomplished by American aid and naked Americans "not-to desert mesa anumn pcuyiu f Primer .Effects Bis Escape. Wilson. Dec S3. William Davis, oinnui. who waa employed ia the ex press offlee in thia city and armrted and tried oa a warrant issued by the Federal government, charging larceny from the express office and fooad guilty, nude his escape xrom jaii cunuay sifiu -made his way out through the roof, after which he lowered himself to the ground with blankets knotted together. Declares Far Licensed Lleaer. Somerville. Mass Dec 23 Somer- ville, the last city ia the Bute to hold its municipal election followed the ex ample of all not one oi me ernes wnica voted earlier, by declaring today in favor of the licensed sate of liquor. The vote wa yea, 8.777 J no, 2,301. It waa the first time since the local option system ws Instituted that the city had gone "wet." The vote, however, will have no effect on the aituattoa as national prohibition will become operative before the next local option year begins. Laclede, Mo., Dee. 23. General Persh ing came back to his boyhood home today, ate a turkey dinner,, waa pre sented with a medal, a loving eup and two apples, visited with, downs of relative and cronies of long ago, ex plored anew the eld Pershing house, walked many miles and made several speeches. t The general seem!"" to enjoy every miaute of the home-coming celebration from the Jtime he stepped from his private car to grasp the hand of aA1' Warfleld. aired negro, once employed in the Fershing household, who was the first to greet him, until he departed tonight for Lincoln, Nebraska. In response to addresses of welcome. General Pershing said: "It was here that I learned the lessons cf patriotism and devotion to duty. These lessons were handed down to me in my youth by my father and mother. It was here that I learned a deep sense of duty to my country and to my God. Whatever service I may have rendered in co-operation with, or in command of. our young manhood, I owe to my mother's early teachings. Many of you knew her aad loved her. Too often wu have been slow to value the influence of our mothers. "In late years I have come to realixo : it During the war it was borne in on me. We all felt, that the wonderful loyalty and devotion of the women of j Ameriea were sustaining us." j COURT ORDERS INQUIRY ON JOHNSON'S STOCK New York, Dee. S3. Supreme Court Justice Vernon M. Davis, tondy granted the application of the New York Amer lean League Baseball Club for an order directing that an open commission go to Cleveland and take an oral interrog atory, the testimony of James C. Dunn, president of the Cleveland American League Club, Walter MeNichola, secre tary of the ..club ,and E. 8. Barnard, business manager. v The object of the interrogatory i to question the Cleveland officials oa the amount of stock which Ban Johnson, president of the American League, is alleged to own in the Cleveland club. Justice Davis gave the commission 'the right to question without limit and dis missed the request of Marvin W. Wynne, Mr. Johnson's New York attorney, that it be limited to a set of written ques tions. CHRISTMAS GREETINGS . FOR AMERICAN TROOPS Washington, Dee. 23. Investigstion of the coal industry ia "eourted" by the-operetorsrJt waa asserted tonight by the executive committee of the Bituminous Coal Operators Association ia a statement replying to the declara tion last night of Attorney General Palmer that the government would "not assume that tne operators win or en a faith," and intimating that ways would be found to keep in the eoal strike settlement.'' The executive committees statement announced that a general meeting of mine owners from all parts of the United States had been summoned to consider' the situation arising from settlement of the strike. The place where the meeting will be held was not announced, but it was said it will take place as soon as possible, presumably shortly sfter Christmas. "The eoal operators have always court ed a full investigation of the industry, the executive committee's statement aaid. "They welcome one now. They are whole heartedly eager to have come out of this controrrsy a program that wiU be constructive and that will in sure industrial peace. "The miners and the operators have interpreted President Wilson's letter of December 8 in different ways. Meeting Is Imperative. "Because of the fact and the rapid changes in the situation during the last two weeks, it has been impossible to keep the many coal operators, scattered over the country, fully advised. The executive committee, therefore, feels that ft is imperative to call a meeting of the representative of the operators from the several coal fields, extending from Pennsylvania to as far West as the State of Washington. This meeting will be held as soon as possible. "In the meantime, ateps have already been taken to gather such fact and statistics as may be necessary for a full presentation of the operators' ease." hn7 I - f, . : - A jv - v- - I , - tc' t jaaataV I M f'-V' j Xm I ft.:-j,.,v v i . .. A SIMS DECLINES HIS NAVAL DECORATION AS AWARDED JOHN P. WHITE HENRY M. ROBINSON Washington, Dee. 23. Secretary Baker today sent to all American troops within the United" States and abroad the following Christmas message: "To thou who wear the uniform of the United States, Christmas, with it deep meaning of 'peace on earth, good will to men, should take on V added significance this year. In that during the new era of peace for whieh such great sacrifices were made, American institutions have abeea guarded daring tne twelve mourns past wun mat nael ity and devotion which has always been on of th great tradition of the United 8tates Army. "With the New Year approaching. your country atands oa the threshhold of greater opportunities and prosperity than are to be read ia any of the glor ious pffs of her history. As soldier yoa represent th strength of your coun try aad la peace, as well as ia war, yon eaa prove that th foundation of democracy aad the safeguard of liberty is the ability of the Individual to per ceive and defend the truth. I spesk for your commander in chief aad for th nation yoa serve when I wish yoa a very Merry Christmas and a successful and happy New Year." .e 1-1 Y a ... a n. . . fopecuu juirrs. jaaaea purses, vnrisi ds day, Piaehurst, Thursday 2:45 p. m. (Adv.) , Attitude Unchanged. Jerre Haute, Ind., Dec, 23. In a statehient declaring that the attitude of the coal operators of the central com petitive field has not been changed by any person in authority since they agreed to a plan similar to that pro posed by President Wilson for set tling the miners' wage controversy, Phil H. Penns, spokesman for tlis operators in the wage negotiations of the past few months, late todsy indicated that the operator will abide by the decision of the commission appointed by the Presi- aent to arbitrate prices and wages. Mr. Penna stated that the President's plan for appointment nf a commission differed in some details from the plan agreed upon by the operators, and ex pressed the belief that the operators snouia nave been consulted before it was presented to the miners. He said, however, that it agreed in - principle with the resolution sdopted by the operators. Dislike Settlement. Chicago, 111., Dee. 23. A tentative agreement applying the 14 per eent wage increase settlement of the recent soft eoal miners strike was made today by representatives of Illinois eoal operators and miners. The agreement provides for a flat rate of eleven cents a ton increase for pick and machine mining. Yardage and dendwork rates in effect Uctober 31 will be advanced 14 ner cent. Both sides to the conference expressed aissattstaction with the national settle ment and declared they would present their objections to the national com mission appointed by President Wilson, The tentative agreement will be retro active to Noy 1. NO CONCRETE RESULTS . IN TREATY CONFERENCE Washington, Dec 23. Although Be publican and Democratic Senator eon' tinned their conferences today on peace treaty reservations, there were no con crete results and the leader said they expected none for some days. There wa a general feeling of confidence, however, that by the time the holiday recess end oa January S, th basis for an agreement will har been reached. Drafts of proposed change in the reservations framed by the Senate ma Jority at th last session wore talked over by Senator Lodge, of Mssssehu- setts, th Bepubliean leader, and Sen ator Boot, of Wisconsin, a leader of the mild reservation group of Republicans. They said th conference was of a gen era) nature and that a final agreement on phraseology wa reached. It wa emphasised in all quarter that th negotiations still were in a nebulous state and that many suggestions from many sources would be considered be fore there wa any attempt to make a binding agreement.: Watson' Condition Serions. Washington, Dee. 23. The condition of Representative Walter A. Watson of Virginia, who' underwent an operation last night at a Washington hospital for mastoiditis wa described tonight "vvry serlon." Physicians have practically! abandoned hope for the recovery of the Virginia Bepreseatativ. With Rembrandt Peale, an independent eoal operator of Pennsylvania, these two men form the commission named by President Wilson to investigate wages and working conditions in the eoal industry. They are John P. White, former preaident of the United Mine Workers of Ameriea, and Henry M. Robinson, of Pasadena, Cal, who has been in Washington for some time in official positions. He served on the industrial conference called by the President last month. Previ ously he had been on the United States Shipping Board from which he resigned Sept. IS. At the Peace Conference in Paris Mr. Robinson was a member of the American group of advisers and a member of th Supreme Economic Control Board and of the International Labor Board. . Christmas Tree At State Prison; Governor and Mrs, Bickett Speak An hour' forgetfulness of the grim dreariness of prison life, an hour drinking of the cup of yuletide joy was brought to the men aad womea confined at the State prison last night when the Social Serviee Department of the Raleigh Woman's Club waa hostess at a Christmas tree in the chapel of the prison. All those incarcerated In the institution, save the twelve that wait in the death house, were present an entered right heartily into the spirit of the oeeaaioa. v A program suited to the oeeaaioa and to the season ws rendered by mea and womea of th. eity, Including ChriasfftZ?": p wu. miuaa.M.iwH (iiwai.j .v. w readings, recitations, vocal and inetru mental numbers, and at the end ther was tho Christmas tree and for every man and' woman a present, with gen erous bags of such things to eat as have become a part of Christmas celebrations brief apeoches wero made by Mrs. Thomas W. Bickett aad by Governor Bickett. A Motley Audience. A motley and uncheering audience greeted the party that had gone to the prison for the occasion, a hundred and fifty men and women, shut off from the world in iieuance for their sins, mea with hard griscled faces, beardless youths, who had fallen oa disaster, women with three score years behind them and but little hope in front of them, young women with hard, knowing, unrepentant faces. Over in the other side of the chapel were the negroes, men and women, hearing their servitude easily, almost happily, with here and there among them the burgeoning of the desiro for personal adornment, festive red tie embellishing the scrupu lously clean, but nons the less rough. prison garb. Seated on the front row of the benches assigned to the women was Mrs. Ida Ball Warren, saved from the electric chair by Governor Craig, tall, imposing looking, despite the stains of prison inc. un either side of her were two ancient women, well on the downhill stretch of life, who had drawn out two score year behind the walls of ths prison. With them were younger women. just bebind tnem were grouped the -n.cn. When Governor and Mrs. Biehett en tered the chapel the audience scrambled to its feet and chjjered for a moment and settled down again ia lithargie silence and waited. Mostly they stared at nothing in front of them. Then Mrs. Bickett rose to speak and there was a rustle of interest through the crowd, individuals twisting, in their seat to catch a glimpse of her. . .Mrs. Bickett Sneaks. A simple story, a story that a mother might telf her children, of Christmas, oi unnstmsses that were when the mother was a little girl, of th simple, pure delights of the festive season, she torn tnem, or what a real Chriatmaa may mean, such a story that stirred forgotten memories, long dead in the hearts of her bearers, stirred them to lire again. And then the first Christmas, mor than 1,900 years ago when Christ cam to the world to bring the joy of free dom, yoa men know what I meaa by freedom. It is a thing that all of yon are working for, hoping for, living for. Christ on that first Christmas brought freedom to the world, freedom from sin and shame. It is that Christmas that I would bring yoa again tonight, with the hop that Christ may be bora again in year heart, and that yen will know the joy that Hooded the world oa that first Christmas." Before Mrs. Bickett had well began her very brief talk, the mea and womea had melted under the simple, earnest appeal of the mother talking to way ward children. Hard, sullen faces war wet with nnwilllng - tears, brushed hastily away. Heads drooped dowa, unwilling that any should see the emo tion that could not be hidden. Her and ther amons; them, a man sobbed openly, brokenly. "", And yet ther wa no sense of sadness, but rather that solemn gladness that need tear rather then laughter for its expression. The Governor Talka Bsalaeaa. Laughter earn whea th Governor arose to express his good wiahtm and th good wishes of the State, "-it was 21 year ago thia Christmas that I chose the speaker of the family," he said, bow ing to Mrs. Bickett, while th audience burst '-ito a cheer. "I thought then that I might be Governor of North Carolina some day and I wanted somebody in th family that could t&lk. ... But any how I want to wish you a merry Chriat maa. The heart of North Carolina takes no joy in your being here, the heart of North Carolina is a warm, geaerons heart, and for to Mate I want to ex press to yen the heartiest good wishes.' "And now I want to talk business to yen mam a little. It is aot eftea that I get yoa together so I am going to talk ENTRIES FOR WAnS POSITION INCREASE J. A. Hartncss, Statesville, and Sheriff McDowell, Morgan ton, Suggested W. C. DOWD, CHARLOTTE. IS ALSO MENTIONED Complexion of Situation In Re gard To Appointment of Dis trict Attorney Change! Ma terially, and Sheriff Haynei May Yet Have Opposition For Job ysrs to come up and talk to m about getting you out of prison. . . . Every on of you haa got a lawyer already, paid by the State. I am your lawyer, rnd althouicn I may not b tha best law yer in the Mtate, I want to tell yea that I hare mors influenoo with th Governor of North Carolina than ny msn in the State. Quit Hiring Lawyers. If a man of you haa a reasonable plea for a pardon, talk it over with Mr. Collie and he will tell me about it- . I tell you now that if a man cornea Into my office with a paper signing away your commutation money to help get you out of here, I will have nothing to do with him. . . . Justice cannot be bought in this State. . . . Merry cannot be bought for any price, but I say to every one of you that the man that hasn't got a eent has a better ehance of getting out of here than the msn that has a hundred thousand dollars.' Then the presents and the big paper bags filled to the brim with things to eat were distributed among the men. But aot all of them went to the men. One came from them for Warden H. J. Bushee, with instructions not to open it until tomorrow. The warden accepted it with good wishes in return for the men and women who had remembered him out of their small commutation money. There were songs, the men end women joining in the singing, and then they filed back to their quarters with a new light in their eyes hsppy. WILL ARRAIGN VIRGO ON MURDER CHARGE Lnwton, Mich, Dec. S3. Joseph C. Virgo, husband of Maud Tabor, will be arraigned oa a charge of murder, Prosecuting Attorney General Gleaa Warner indicated tonight when h stated that eharges made by Mrs. Sarah Tabor, mother of Maud, that Virgo performed an illegal operation on her daughter before the latter's death, completed th State's esse sgainst the seen id man. Mrs. Tabor, who ia 80 years of age is involved oa tha charge of being an accessory after the fset according to the prosecator. Th body of Maud Tabor was fouad ia a trunk ia tha Tabor home on November 30, about three years after her disap pearance. It developed that Virgo had made her hi fifth wife and Mrs. Tabor declared 'in a signed statement made public today by the prosecution, that Virgo told her he did .not want any ennaren. Id her statement, Mrs. Tabor declared that after her daughter died ah slept beside the body seven days aad that ttwa Virgo placed it into the young womaa's Hope chest" and hid it ia the eellar. th aathorltie declare. At the coroner' inquest th aged mother de nted that aa Illegal operation had beea performed. . Polleeosea's Union Pi Jersey City, Ji. J, Dec J3. Th de- mis of the Jersey City policemen's union was announced today by F. X. O'Brien, Commissioner of Publis Safety. Tha commissioner aaid every poliesmaa an the for had signed aa affidavit that h was aot a member of any ' organisation affiliated with th Americas Federation of Labor. Th firemen's anion disbanded sersral weeks sgo. :' ' The News snd Observer Bureau,- 603 District Nstional Bank Bldg. By R. E. POWELL. (By Special Leased Wire.) Washington. Dec. 23. Final discus sion of the Watts resignation by the North Carolina Senators before leaving for their homes in Salisbury and "New Bern la followed by the suggestion that Sheriff Manly McDowell, of Morganton, and James A. Hartnees, of Iredell, will be seriously eoniidered for sppointment st supervisor of revenoe work in North Carolina. Since yesterday there has been con siderable change in the situation, al though Sheriff C. H. Haynes, of Surry county, has by no means been removed from consideration. At the present time the sheriff has a slight advantage on any other applicants for the place. He arrived here flrat after Colonel Watts' resignation reached the Internal Revenue Department and be came armed with the personal endorsement or tne colonel. Frank A. Hampton is still to be con sidered, although he says that he will not aecebt the place unless Senator Overman and Senator Simmons urge the appointment upon him. , ' W. C Dowd Mentioned. It would not be at all surprising for Sheriff McDowell or Mr. Bartness to be ehosen to saeeeed Colonel Watts, who nmimnri In aatar nrivata business. Like wise, it would not be surprising iT th Senators ware to choose w. V. Uowa, of Charlotte, for the beat political job that promise to b opea during the Wilson administration. Senator Simmons was urged to ap point Mr. Dowd whea he selected Colonel Watts and the suggestion wss made to him then that Colonel Wa ta would be a very valuable man with him in Washington. But the senior Senator was Inclined to think that the solonel would be sn even more valuable aid i North Carolina. The one thing that argues more for either Mr. Hartaes or Sheriff McDowell and correspondingly sgainst Sheriff Haynes, ia that both of these popula officials have been strongly endorsed for the principal clerkship of the western district court. It ia probable that n clerk of the western district eourt will be ehosen any time soon. Ask Na Hons Clesnlng. Interested officials in Washington have heard recently that Judge Webb will hardly ask for any.house cleaning. Bis own place is secure and it is not believed here now that lie will ask for the re moral of the principal clerk at Greens boro or the clerk at Asheville in order that a Democrat may.be givea the appointment. To ask for a house cleaning Judge Webb would undoubtedly antagonise both Judge Boyd and Judge Pritrhard K. I Blaloek, principal clerk of the western district eourt, wss formerly secretary to Judge Pritehard and later secrets ry to the venerable jurist most recently superannuated. At Asheville W. 8. Hyams, clerk of the court there, ia a brother-in-law of Judge Pritehard, it ia pointed out here, and for this reason it would excite the animosity of the Greensboro judge to give hi place even to a deserving Democrat. Hartnees aad McDowell Waiting. Therefore, it is reasoned among those In touch with the situation here, that Hartncss and McDowell are both waiting for some recognition Moth have been given strong endorsements for the clerkship. Both are recognised as poll Heal factor to be considered in the dispensing of patronage and Senator Overman is to be a candidate for elee tion next year. As for Senator Simmons, any recognition of cither McDowell or Hartnes would please him. Not that recognition of Sheriff Haynes would displease anybody. The former Surry county sheriff, as assistant to Colonel Watts, became thoroughly fa miliar with th supervisor' job and Commissioner Roper is quoted a saying he favors the choice of Sheriff Haynes. Of coarse, he hasn't been fully ac quainted with the ability of Mr. Hart- nesa or Sheriff McDowell. ' , Mr. Dowd would undoubtedly receive serious consideration if he eared for th place, but for the fact that the recent Meeklenbnrg howl about recognition haant left aa altogether good taste with a lot of folks who Interest is generally regsraea in the disposition of patronage, Rekindles Fires of Old Fight On Relative Value of Shore and Sea Service SECRETARY DANIELS GIVES STATEMENT NAVY POLICY Sims Protests Against System of Awarding Decorations In Official Letter To Navy De- , partment and Sends franked Copies To Brother Officers; Daniels Makes It Pnblie BRITISH WOMEN ARE NAMED AS MAGISTRATES London, Dee. 83. The sex disqualifi cation removal act, making womea eli gible as magistrates, having been passed, the lyord Chancellor today aanouneed tha appointment of the following womea to act ia that capacity whea required: The Maehloness of Crewe, th Mar chioness of Londonderry, lira, David Lloyd ' George, Mrs. Humphry Ward. Mrs. Sidney Webb, Miss Elizabeth Hal- dans and Miss Oertrnds Tuck Well. Th Lord Chancellor is at the opinion that womea are especially qualified for work in children's courts, several of whieh have beea established ia large! Washington, Dec. 23. Rumblings ef dissatisfaction within th navy it th way Secretary Daniels has arranged the awards of decorations for war serv ice, came to the surfac today whn it became known that Admiral Sims, former commander of American naval force in European waters, had de clined to accept hi Distinguished -Service Medal, while the award remain as at present. . ', At the same time, the row, whieh ap to this time, has been a smouldering one, gave indications of showing np ia Congress. Chairman Page, of th Ban ate Naval Committee, asked for a re port on the awarding of the decora tion and Secretary Daniel trans mitted it to him tonight. Meanwhile Representative Lufkin, Republican, ef MnstaelBsetts, a member of th House Naval Committee, announced tha' he would ask tha House to call for a simi lar report. Coming a th climax to published charges that Secretary Daniels had re arranged the whole list of awards, rais ing some officers to higher distinction than recommended and "blue pencil ing" others, publication of Admiral Sims action created a new sensation in the Navy Department, and added a new chapter to tha long contest ia which some naval officers hav com plained of th Secretary' administra tion of affaire aad others hsvs defended him with equal vigor. Sims Brings It T Head. The whole thing haa beta brought to a head by th act of Admiral Sims, who writing an official eommaniention to Secretary Daniel from th Naval War College at Newport, K. L, haa let out that officer for whom h recom mended the Distinguished Servic Medal highest of all naval decorations except th Congressional Medal of Honor received by th Secretary's re vision a decoration of lesser value, and that other officers white duties and services Admiral Sim considered a ef lesser value, received, by th revision, the mor valued decorations. At th earn time, it develops, Admiral Sims sent franked copies ef his letter to .! .SB--. la Wauklnvtna. in .lt.7 ii .a , a. vaaaii.a, " -- m ' His action became known first through them, snd later today Mr. Daniels gave out the letter without comment. Earlier in the day. however, Mr. Denials hsd announced that he had prepared th report asked for by Senator Pag, ad tonight after transmitting it to th Senator made publie eopie of it. Asks Revision Upward. Admiral Sims, in his letter, doe not appear to refus hi decoration un conditionally. He refused it ander th condition lis outline and he asked for an opportunity to explain th reason for his original recommendations. Be side that the admiral docs aot ask that the hiehest award bs taken from any officer upon whom it already haa been conferred, btft he does ask for a ravhrioa npwsrd of some of th lesser decorations. Admiral Sims, long known as the stormy petrel of the navy sine his sen sational "last drop of blood" speech ia the Guild Hall at London, whea he drew the attention of the foreign office' of Berlin, London and Washington, has figured in many navy sensations before and has many warm supporters among the officers. Secretary Daniels report to Chainnaa Page, of the Senate naval committee, outlines the general policy followed by the Secretary in awarding medals and distinctions to naval officers and en listed men. Shore Servle Against Sea Indicating that the entire controversy that haa now come to light revolves around tho old Navy Department dis agreement as to whieh class of service shore or sea is most important. Secre tary Daniels, in his report, said: "The value of the duty oa shor was duly recognized, but, in my opinion, it should be of the highest importance and responsibility in order that this duty should be recognized by tha award of the same kind of medals as that given to officer charged with great responsibility and at the same time ii positions of grave danger in tha active war zone, ana in is was tne standard whieh any particular ease had to meet for an officer on shore duty to be award ed the medal.' , . Hasardea Daty First. - Emnhasizinr his belief that nnVers sngaged in hazardous snd responsible duties ia th North sea mining squadron, tn destroyer force, the convoy aad th armed guard servic should be givea preference in the award of high honor over officer serving oa shore, even in positions of greet responsibility, and officers serving with ship in - horn waters. Secretary Daniels said that "the services rendered by these different force wa recognized by th board of awards in assianin certain ane-lala t the officers ia- command of ther ships snd stations -concerned and this plan of procedure met my approval.'. : , la contrast to Admiral 8im state ment that th commanding officers of ships sank by nmy submarine should not reeeiv decorations, Mr. - Daniels ia, hi report ssid. c Parties lar Indivtdaats. "Aa additioa to th recognition af th service rendered by the officer- and msn of th forces abov meatioasd . (Ceatlaaed a Pag Tw4 Zr

Page Text

This is the computer-generated OCR text representation of this newspaper page. It may be empty, if no text could be automatically recognized. This data is also available in Plain Text and XML formats.

Return to page view