The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-04-25
WILSON NAMES
JOHN D. RYAN AS
AIRCRAFT CHIEF
Copper Capitalist Heads
New Division of PrOduc-
tion Board.
SQUIER IS ELIMINATED
Brig. g..Gen. William L. Kenly
to Control Operation and
Training Of Corps.
SQUIER Is ELIMINATED
Special DespascA 70 Tap Sos.

Special Dss,aseA 10 TIE sux.
WASHINGTON. April 2+.-John D. Ryan,
the copper capitalist. has been desig-
mated by the Administration to take up
the work Of creating an American air
feet to overwhelm the Germans. The
selection Of Mr.. Ryan for this important
post, following closely that Of Charles
", Schwab to take charge Of the produce
,ion Of ships. indicates that the Adminis-
fation 10 committed to . policy of pick.
ins Industrial leaders for great war
tasks.
Formal announcement OF Mr.. Ryan's
appointment was made tonight BY Sec-
re.ary Baker. A reorganization OF the
existing aircraft production machinery
was also made. Of which the following
are the principal features:
4 new division OF the War Department
ia created to be known a. the division OF
a;rcraft production, with Mr.. Ryan as
III director. This means that Mr.. Ryan
will report to Secretary Baker and not
10 the President directly. a. was strongly
recommended in the Senate committee
report.
The Aircraft Production Board 10 con.
tinued a. an advisory body but Mr..
Ryan will supplant Howard f. Conn a.
its Chairman. NJ. coa,n rsnalna how
ever. - one es ~ msNA2gA ~s.s.,.
oss. SSISssl 1AsRi.aasx. .-"-'',
Gen. squisr. chief Signal of,eer. who
up till now he's been tha real head OF the
aircraft programme. 10 eliminated an
,irely from the sirplans situation. His
future duties will merely have to do
with signalling.
new division Of military aeronauties
ia created in the Signal Corps to have
charge OF thu operation Of aircraft and
tho training Of avtators. Brig. Gen.
william L. Kenly 10 placed At the head Of
this division. Mr.. Ryan has accepted
lis new task and will start in at once
and give up his whole time to It. The
formal statement Of the War Depart
men. covering the changes was a. fol-
lows:
The War Department authori'ss
Mr. John d. Ryan has accepted the
dictatorship Of aircrapt production for
the army.
reconciliation Of the aviation
section Of the Signal Corps also has
been effected. Of which the principal
elements are ~ follows:
Gen Squier. as chief signal officer.
will devote his attention to tho admins.
'ration Of signals: division OF MILL
tary aeronautics 70 created under the
direction Of Brig. Gen. william l.
Kenly. The aircraft board created BY
at OF Congress remains an advisory
body. as It has been In the past. With
Mr.. Ryan as its chairman. This ar.
ansement Is made With the entire
concurrence Of Mr.. Howard Comm.
who remains . member OF the advisory
commission Of the Council Of National
Counsel to the aircraft board ana Mr..
Ryan.
The division Of military aeronau-
tics will have con.ro! OF the training
Of aviators and the military use OF
aircraft The exact division OF func-
tons in the matter OF designing ana
engineering will be worked out a.
experience determines between the d.
vision OF military aeronautics and
The division Of production.
This announcement involves no
change OF personnel In the present
equipment division Of the Signal Corps.
Of which W. G. Potter 10 chief and
which viii continue under his dlrec-
ton
Picking OF Ryan . ssrDrise.
Mr. Ryan's selection for what many
consider to be the most important task
acng tho country came as surprise,
a. his name has not been mentioned In
this connection. Mr.. Stettinius 10 un-
derstood 10 have been considered for q
time, but Mr.. Baker wanted him TO re-
main In his present place. Mr., Ryan's
selection is credited largely to Chairman
Bsruch OF the War Industries Board,
VINO Ia lDdePstoOd n havo ltrOnRlv IN
cors"d him for the place.
Mr. Ryan headed the committee OF
copper producers with whom Mr.. Baruch,
sf'rg FOR the Government. made the
original agreement by which the Gov.
eminent got 100000 pounds OF copper
at "a cents a pound. Assistant Sec.
te'a!y OF War Crowell. who has handled
no aircraft situation In Mr.. Bakers ab.
ssnce, is also understood to have favored
MI Ryan. but the choice was not def
hlte!y made until yesterday. when the
President agreed with Mr.. Baker tha,
the lob
Mr., Ryan's appointment was generally
approved Of tonight by those who have
gwen the aircraft problem their atten.
o'n, II vas his organising and bus.nesl
'o'l'H that recommended him for the
'4a'', ana it seemed TO be the judgment
man" men OF large anairs In New
NJ. an elsewhere that the aircraft
troT anime could be- made speedily and
't''~s-fnly TO frucufy under his man
cement,
VI Ryan's appointment means a sin,
"~ H"nded alrcraf. control. which tn.
'H'rdcn Marshall committee urged n
solution Of the problem. The Mar
'"a committee also recommended tn,
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