The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-23
NOTED MEN RESIGN
JOBS ALL IN ONE DAY
Continued from First Pogo.

| hope II will not be until after contract
cancellations and rehabilitation nave
matured.
Me-. Ryan desires. now that the war
| Is over, to .'eturn to his private business
as president of the Anaconda COPPER
Company, and he indicates that copper
production, one of the most important ~
the nations industries, needs his services
now more than the Government.
Coincident with Mr.. Ryan's, resigna-
ton. It was announced that William c.
Potter. chief assistant to NJ. Ryan in
aircraft production work. had resigned
Mr. Potter desires to return TO his pti-
vate business in New York He n a
banke-, mining engineer, railroad man
and former general manager OF the
American Smelling and Refining Com
pany and head OF other enterprises.
Mr.. Ryan became Identified with air
craft production last May at the time
when charges OF ineflciency and delay
In aircraft building were being given an
airing In the Senate.
President Wilson asked Mr.. Ryan 10
undertake the task OF putting the work
or constructive basis ard Mr.. Ryan
became Director OF Aircraft Production
and chairman Of the aircraft board, re-
lieving Howard Coffin IN the latter ca
pacity. Three months later, at the time
of the last reorganization OF the ax
| service, Mr.. Ryan was made director
OF air service and Assistant Secretary
OF war.
Rysn's Letter Of Resignation.
The War Department made public the
following correspondence between Mr.
Ryan and Secretary Baker:
DEAR Mr.. SECRETARY: With the
signing OF the aFmistice and the con-
sequent reduction I'm the programs
OF aircraft production I believe my
work here has become rei"::..vnly un-
important. l have not takeNS yer the
actual direction OF military aeronautics
and my connection with Il has not
made any real change In Its opera
tons.
, I feel strongly. that now the war
is over. my duty lies in the line OF my
former work. Labor and industry
of the country must be quickIv nd-
tuFted from n war TO a peace basis.
and the copper production is one If
the most vital TO the country's well
! fare. believe can do much in help
ing to bring about stable conditions
and that / should take up the work
| Immediately.
| l therefore resign as Second As
| sistant Secretary OF War and Director
of Air Service. 10 take effect as soon
| as convenient 10 you.
desire 70 express to you my sincere
| gratitude for the opportunity given
me to serve in the war. have had
| at your hands the greatest assistance
! and encouragement In all The work I
| have had to do. I shall always prize
the association with you and with the
| War Department.
| Sincerely yours.
| JOHN d. RYAN.
Secretary OF Wars Reply.
My DEAR Mr.. RTAE-I have Just re-
ceived your letter OF November 81.
| Raalizing the very great Importance
| OF the production and distribution OF
copper In the REIMBURSEMENT OF our
national civilian industry, and your
| own Intimate relation to this great
| business, I reluctantly acquiesce IN
! your desire to return to 1t and to
| terminate your relations rs Second
Assistant Secretary of War and d.
sector OF Air Service.
Your unfailing courtesy has been a
| source Of great personal happiness to
| me, and your services to the country
| as Director Of Air Service have been
| conspicuous; the sense or surenesa
| and executive efficiency which your
| advent contributed TO the air service
/ made from the FIRST a marked i'm
| proVement in the entire prospect. The
| armiFtice OF course has interrupted
| the constructive development Of that
| great programme, II had, however,
| advanced beyond the experimental
| stages, and even in So new an art as
! the air service Americas contribution
! within year and a half was sub
| stantial and would. I'm a short time,
| have been determinative.
| / shall accept your own judgment
| as to the most appropriate time for
1 the termination OF your office, eN-
pressing only the hope that you will
remain until the plans for contract
| cancellation and rehabilitation are
sufficiently matured to allow those
who are to carry them out to have
definite and flxed principles for their
| guidance.
Cordially yours,
NEWTON ID. BAKER.
Secretary Of War.