South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-07-24
Other Editor, Than Ours
RYAN INDORsEs LIBERTY MOTOR.

| (By David Lawrence. New Evening Post)
Very little has been heard lately about the Of
aircraft program-very little. indeed, since charges
flew thick and fast, since the Liberty motor pro-
nounced failure and whole years of prepara
ton spoken of by the critics criminal delay.
So II is important indeed, TO have official state
ment-the first that has made by John d. Ryan,
chairman of the aircraft production, who appoint
ed by Pres't Wilson take the management of
whole aircraft program.
Mr. Ryan has modestly kept himself in the back
ground for three months refusing to express any
opinions publicly about the Of his predecessors
or the plans of his own organization He made a
thorough study. however Of the happenings prior TO
mis- appointment, and satisfied himself to the
truth or fasity of the public criticism
What Mr. Ryan says when he speaks thus for the
first time is in sense judicial and on his statements
the country can base its Judgment also Of the status OF
the program today and the outlook for the future.
The head of the aircraft production board chose
for optimism the launching Of the huge
Handley- bombing machine designed by the
ish. al beth y. J.. two
Liberty than 4O0-horsepOwer. Said Mr.
Ryan:
i am glad say thousands just one
(the Handkerchief of the most powerful ever built
are under construction all driven the Liberty
motor the best and most powerful aerOnautcal engine
ever built"
That means great deal There were those who said
MIR Ryan was skepucal about the Liberty motor; that
when he office he did share the others
who had singing the motors praises. Doubtless
Mr. Ryan not skeptical. but anxious learn for
himself final judgment a significant result of
panstaking study entered into disnteresedy and dis
passionatey.
we are now furnishing" he added Liberty engines
airplane manufacturers, and England
France and Italy have called furnish Liberty
motors them for installation their own planes
The production of the arpane in quantity is easy but
of the airplane is another matter The
of airplanes in the last analysis the number of
engines drive them.
There has been great dissatisfaction expressed by
the people of the country the results attained
the in the production OF aircraft Some of II
has been warranted-most Of il has been caused by
expectations beyond the possibility of performance
Il speak with knowledge this subject, be-
strfda
lay and DISAPPOINTMENT and ] speak freely, be-
stretch of my conscience will let claim
credit for what has been done 10 the present
day. My connection with the work OF aircraft
duction for the has been short that nothing
have done left undone could possibly have affected
the accomplishment at this time.
Much work has been done by my predecessors. and
taking this opportunity TO assure the people Of
the country that n my opinion. has been no
such delay with the work or anything like such in
capacity of those charge has indicated
of them i'm production
Thus does Mr.. RYAN clear the air and inspire the
airplane industry with confidence. for il is open
secret that many manufacturers who been work
ing night and day in the slow and necessarily tedious
process of preparation were discouraged by the
remities of criticism DICED against them and the
situations OF gross INCOMPETENCE Mr.. Ryan makes it
plain ne for doesn't think the people
been working hard introduce America
dustry of which practically nothing at the out
break with Germany fell down their Job
For he says
designed and put into production Liberty
CINE. which il acknowledged 10y all OF the allies
great performance and distinct contribution TO
As powerful machine 10 drive heavy aircraft
undoubtedly satisfactory any engine produced
There produced here IN our workshops during
the months of MAY and June Just passed many OF
these engines Great Britain produced OF all types
engines the entire year 1915.
close OF which she had been Il months war.
Guiding other types OF aircraft engines
produced IN ships in the month than
Britain produced in the whole year Of 1915"
The representative his country @ British
ministry verified the above facts Sir Joseph Fowler
for instance declares the Liberty engine lone the
aerOuautical engines built and predicts
10 will give the allies Overwhelming superiority
air" Gen. Branker. the British mission. SAYS
Great Britain has ordered many Liberty engines
asks 10 have them before the end OF TINS year