The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1918-04-10
PRESIDENT MAY Create
new DEPARTMENT
10 Speed Up Airplane Program
winch Has Been Delayed-Presi-
dent May on Report Create
New Aeronautical
Department

Washington, April 9.--Recommend-
alton for department of aeronautics
to control all the productive activities
Oh the airplane program will be made
TO President Wilson by the investigat-
ing committee appointed by the pres
identa nd headed by H. Snowden Mar
shall, of New York.
This statement was made TONIGHT tn
the International News Service by an
official thoroughly IN touch with the
present aircraft situation in the army,
navy and aircraft board.
Mr.. Marshall. has been at work al
most day and night and NUNPJU
most day and night on his report. He
IS drawing it up in conferences with
Edward Wells, of New York, and
Gavin McNab, of San Francisco, as
soclate member of the investigating
committee. They completed their tour
and their findings probably will be
ready for submission to the president
on Friday.
What the Committee May Ask
Whether the committee will stand
on the presentation of the report or
whether they will ask for confer
ence with the president on the chief
recommendation is problematical
Recommendation for the separate de-
partment may be modified into a sug
gestion for an aircraft production ad-
mlnlstrator, after the president has
gone overthe problems fully Presi.
dent Wilson, has not heretofore, been
over-enthusiastic over the establish
ment OF another department. with an
addition to his cabinet. In the light
of that attitude, congress has not
moved strongly for the department.
But there is growing belief that
the delay in the aircraft program NAV
be presented in such broad light that
the president will grasp it Immediate
ly with firm hand and speed the
program with all the enormous mo-
mentum that the various industries
can develop.
While no outline of Mr.. Marshall's
report can be obtained tonight, it is
said on the best authority that the real
aircraft situation will remain the Sc.
cret of the president, the investigat-
ing committee and the superwar coun-
Gil. The committee will take a
stand-pat position, it is understood,
yet will make no pretense to cover
up any faults that may have shown
in the whole machinery. Elimination
of these rough spots will be brought
about Immediately.
Outlook Optimistic
There is general agreement that
thep rogram has been delayed about
three months; but the members of the
committee are absolutely optimistic
over the outlook.
1t is believed the committee will say
that the whole schema has now been
brought to the point of big production,
and with a properly centralized head,
with full authority tn s country can
make up the LIST time.
With 100000. .HHO to work with
enormous organizations had to be COM
plctcd. They are now ready tn so
on with the work bic way Gen.
eral report is that Edward r. Stettin-
ius, formerly surveyor Of purchases.
and now second assistant secretar; Of
war. may be put TT the head of the
reorPauized derart."ent. There viii
be an absolute uyorcing of the pro
ducrion, and s>ttrIing to the bri:af
tonight. from any interference by the
signal corps.
Howard E. Coffin, now head of the
aircraft board, will not be shelved. 1t