The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-31
NEW OFFICIALS NAMED.
MINISTRIES OF MUNITIONS AND
OF AERONAUTICS CREATED.
Benedict C. Crowell and John d. Ry-
an are the iappointees Named i'll
Order.

Washington, Aug. Zi-V1iludl eo-
tablishment of ministries of munitions
and aviation, and the appointment
of Benedict c.. CroweI, first assistant
secretary of war and john D. Ryan,
chief of the bureau Of military aero
nautics, as the respective heads was
announced today by Secretary Baker.
While the official statement refers to
the appointees as directors OF ma
nitions" and director of air SER
vice" the changes evidently are IN
tended to erect separate organizations
each under direct control of one man
who will hold wide powers and be
entrusted with all responslbl' '1ty IN
those fields.
Mr.. Ryan, with his new duties, as
sumes. the position Of second assistant
secretary of war, vice Edward X.
Stettinius, who is now abroad IN con-
nection with important government
matters. Mr.. Settinius is to remain
in France indefinitely, it was an
nounced, as special representative OF
the war department, with full pow
er to carry out the special missions
with which he is charged"
The necessity for the eventual con-
solidation of the various activities
connected with the munitions pro-
gram has been repeatedly predicted
since the early days Of the war. Esx-
periences Of Great Britain, prior TO
the esta blishment Of a. distinct min
istry Of munitions, led! !many experts
to recommend similar action as a
remedy for difficulties in this country
Secretary Baker is understood to have
hesitated to approve the proposal, be-
lieying it was not necessary at the
time when the United States army
was in the making, but that it might
be taken up when the country's in
dustry was organized Cor the tremen-
dous production required by an army
numbering millions instead Of thou
sands.
Mr.. Crowell, since his appointment
as chief assistant to Mr.. Baker has
had special charge of industrial mat
ters coming before the war depart
ment. His designation as director OF
munitions, will mean in reality, but
slight change from the work in which
he has already been engaged. Addi-
tional authority now has been dele
gated, however, which will enable
Mr.. Crowell to handle The large prob
lens embraced in the task described
by Secretary Baker as seeing the
munitions required for our military
operations are procured and furnish
ed to the army in the field
Full control of the bureau Of mill
tary aeronautics and Of the bureau
of aircraft production has been given
to Secretary Ryan who is authorized
to name a mead for the latter organ
ization. He will thus have charge
of the production of aeroplanes and
of the training Of personnel to man
them, bringing the entire air pro-
gram under tae single auth ority rec
commended by Mai. Gen. William L.
KenIy, chief of military aeronautics,
and other experts before the senate
military affairs committee.
- Mr. Ryan is expeced to put into
effect Immediately changes in organ
ization which will result in the CO.
ordination of the two bureaus which
he will control
The third secretary of war, Fred
erick P. Keppel, will continue in his
present duties. These include mainly
matters other than military routine
CONCERNING the personnel of the army.