New-York tribune., 1918-04-25
New Department of Aero
nautics Created, With
Brigadier General Kenly
at Its Head
Coffin to Remain on
Advisory Committee
q
General Speeding Up All
Along Line Expected as
Result of Reorganiza-
ton of Bureau

WASHINGTON. April 24.-President
Wilson to-day appointed John D. Ryan,
Montana copper king, fnancier and
railroad man, Director of Aircraft Pro-
duction for the army. simultaneously
the War Department announced a reor-
ganization of the aviation section of
the Signal Corps which relieves Gen
eral Squier. chief signal officer, from
further connection with military aero
nautics, which is placed in charge of
Brigadier General William L. Kenly, as
chief of new division to control train
ing OF aviatcrs and military use of air
craft
Major General Squier will conine his
activities in the future to the signal
branch. Howard Coffin, chairman of
the Aircraft Board, and under whose
direction the building programme has
developed to its present stage, retires
irom the board and relinquishes the
ehairmanship to Mr.. Ryan. The Air
craft Board itself, created by Congress,
VIII continue as an advisory body.
Effects Concentrated Control
throughout all the agitation over
deiays and mistakes in getting guam
tity production of aircraft under way.
all critics have agreed tina. the great
1auit lay in the absence Of concen-
trated control. The power of Mr.. Coffin
and his board was subject to the Signal
Corps, and this divided responsibility
mas been blamed largely for the fact
shat the programme is about three
months behind.
Mr. Coffin himself made the only Of
He said: . - IVA
The appointment of a single in
aivldual with definite and adequate
power to deal with all aspects of army
.iscraft production is logical and
necessary step.
~ is necessary to get away from.
,sy question of division of responsi-
aihty, either in fact or in the public
mind The aircraft board remains, as
..ace 1is creation in October, an ad-
asory body: but under this new ar
sshsement, the chairman Of the boaru
accofnes also the supreme executive
asehey tor proper results, both the
pvwer oi execution and the respons
o.s'sy must be concentrated in the
Ishne hands. The method OF Mr.
hyan.s appointment would seem to ac-
eompiisa this result"
Reorganization Long Predicted
This reorganization, forecast at the
nsr Department since before the Sen
a.e Military Committee made it's re-
port referring to the aviation pro.
slammc az a ''humiliating failure" fol
yss preliminary report from spe.
sis' committee of investigators ap.
pcinted by President Wilson and head
Dy n. Snowden Marshall, Of New
a Iorx- he report never has been made
vuoiic, but it. is known to have been
sssemisted 10 Secretary Baker soon af.
ms return from France.
q. Ass'stant Secretaries Crowel and
"sssatsinins 'ssanins and Major General March
asthg chief Of staff, are understood to
:sanHation. Mr.. Crowell, as Acting
secretary. is said to have been ready
- sct without waiting for Mr.. Bakers
received.
me authority given Mr.. Ryan cor
nsespoads to that given Charles NJ
lsh~aD, az director general OF the
sla'nergency Fleet Corporation. He has
~ ~ .ask OF speeding up production in
~ ~ thc manw plants working on air
sas Tor the army and is given full
p@"er 'n that respect. In the matter
Z. ~. designing and engineering author.
apparently is divided between the
n.sissons Of military aeronautics and
Amply Equipped for Job
Nr Ryan heretofore has taken an
aassaye part in the work Of the Rec
,Ifoss War Council. and those who
xav~ him declare he is amply equipped
~ vu tns big job now intrusted to him
slssidsnt Wilson IL said TO have had
nand personally in the selection.
n3rn IL Michigan ffty-four years
azo. Mr. Ryan has had busy life a.
~ industrial leader. He Is now preg
gent Of the Anaconda Copper Com
ysny OF the United Metals SELLING
srsomoany and Of the Montana Powel
+ <scnpany. He " director Of man,
8 - .nsaussriai enterprjses and banks ant
- .ne Chicago. Milwaukee e. st. Paul
vns Of the big things in which h.
s.. ~ Dlaysd part WAS the eiectrifca
,2nn .,2n of fie mountain division Of tn.
.ta,eaHo, Milwaukee II Vt. Paul, prob
wv The gTcatsxt undertaking OF III.
s''la eyer attempted.