The Washington herald., 1918-04-25
COPPER KING
RYAN is MADE
AIRCRAFTHEAD
Anaconda's Developer Is
Called by President to
Aid Program.

John D. Ryan was last night named
director Of aircraft production for the
army. He has accepted.
Mr. Ryan is known as the Copper
King Of America. due to his develop
ment Of the Anaconda and other big
copper properties. The announcement
gave his home as New York City and
Montana.
Mai Gen. SquIer, of the signal
Corps, is relieved Of all connection
with aircrafV production for the
army. and is limited henceforth to
the administrative work of the Signal
Corps.
Howard Z. Coffin. at present head
Of the Aircraft Board. Is retained in
an advisory capacity.
The changes in personnel of men re-
sponsible for the production of air
craft is coupled with a reorganiza-
tion OF the Aviation section of the
Signal Corps.
New AerOnauties Division.
A new division of this section to be
known as the Division OF Military
Aeronautics Is created and will be
under the direction of Brig. Cen
William L. KenIy. 1t will be respon-
sible for the training OF aviators and
will direct the air forces.
The Aircraft Board, created by act
Of Congress, remains an advisory
body, as it has been in the past,
with Mr.. Ryan as its chairman. This
arrangement is with the entire con-
cuTrence of Howard Coffin. who re-
m9tna rf1ar1nhar nf the ahVianrV
mission Of the Council of National
Defense and will render assistance
and counsel to the Aircraft Board
and Mr.. Ryan.
The Division of Military Aero
nautics will have control of the
training of aviatOrs and the mill
tary use of aircraft" the announce
ment says, the exact division of
function in the matter OF design
ing and engineering will be worked
out as experience determines between
the Division of Military Aeronautics
and the Division of Production.
The announcement involves no
change of personnel in the present
Equipment Division of the Signal
Corps, of which w. c. Potter is
chief. and which will continue under
his direction"
Announcement q Surprise.
The selection of Mr.. Ryan for the
position of Director of Production
came as a surprise TO Washington.
He was born in Michigan fifty-four
years ago. and besides being pres
ident of the Anaconda Copper Min
ing Company is a director in a num-
Der of the more powerful banking
institutions Of New York City. His
record as a man of force and an ex-
eCutive of rare discernment entered
largely into his selection by Presi-
dent Wilson for the new post.
His appointment coming on top OF
the naming of Charles NJ. Schwab as
a director of the shipping program
was held by many to indicate that
President Wilson has determined to
call to Washington only men OF proven
executive ability. 1t is also believed
that Mr.. Ryan is acceptable to sew
eral organizations prominent in recent
criticism Ieveled at the conduct OF the
nations aircraft production program
New Board "Jp TO" Ryan
1t is understood that the compost
ton of the new Aircraft Board will
be determined in large part by ad-
vices from Mr.. Ryan, who will be
given an opportunity to surround him
self with men in whom he has great
est confidence. 1t was pointed out last
night that it is possible that he may
select a member of the Aero Club OF
America, which has done much work
in an effort to aid the governments
war plans.