New-York tribune., 1918-04-26
Wadsworth Says Amend
ment to Overman Bill
Is Needed
j. D. Ryan Without
Power, He Declares
Pass Bill and Fix All Re-
sponsibility on President,
Fall Advises
ISfof CoYrespondencel

WASHINGTON, April 25.-Admin-
istration forces in the Senate tonight
seemed inclined to accept an amend
ment to the Overman bill offered by
Senator Wadsworth of New York, Writ
ually empowering the President te
create an aircraft ministry. The amend
ment does not mention the word min
istry" or speak of new Cabinet mem
ber, but merely provides that the
President may create new agency
which shall have entire charge OF the
production of aircraft and airplane en-
gines, if he desires to do so.
The amendment i; necessary, Senator
Wadsworth pointed out, because the
Overman bill, while it gives blanket
powers to the President for transfer
ring functions and funds from one
agency to another in the government
does not provide for the creation of any
new agencies.
~ think my bill already gives all
the power necessary in that direction u
said Mr.. Overman, after hearing MI.
Wadsworth explain his amendment.
'The President may transfer the func-
tions of the Aircraft Production Board
to John d. Ryan"
"The Aircraft Production Board had
no Junction. retorted Mr.. Wadsworth,
Except to sit around a table and de-
bate" IL. g
Ryan Subordinate
Mr.. Wadsworth then explained that
under the order appointing Mr.. Ryan,
to whom is now intrusted the aircraft
programme, he is not only the subord-
mate of the Secretary of War, but of
an Assistant Secretary of War as we'll.
"Mr. Ryan's position will not be
that of strong executive continued
Mr.. Wadsworth, unless some such
amendment as | have proposed is
adopted. Mr.. Ryan will not be clothed
with the power to make contracts or
to spend money.
II am convinced that unless. we put
the aircraft programme in the hands
of the ablest man we can finland per-
haps Mr.. Ryan is that man-and give
him all the scope possible for carrying
out his work, that we will jeopardze
the success of this extremely import
ant part Of our war preparations.
have confidence in Mr.. Ryan. | think
there is no question but that he is bet
ter than the organization he succeeds,
but he has not the proper legal author
ity now. and cannot be given the power
necessary either under existing law or
under this bill"
Mr.. Wadsworth added that he was
somewhat weary" of these pretended
improvements" in the War Department.
Senator Overman was urged to ac-
cept the amendment by two Democratic
members of the Military Committee,
Kirby, of Arkansas. The majority re-
port Of the committee recently recon-
mended an aircraft ministry, but Sena-
tory Kirby did not sign this report.
Fall Favors Overman Bill
Senator Fall, of New Mexico, de
clared himself in favor of the Over.
man bill, asserting. however, that i,
should be called bill to fix admins
trative possibility.
I'VE are confronting a condition.
he said, where the American people
are being told every day that the Presi
dent cannot prosecute this war with
vlgor because Congress is hesitating &c
grant him the necessary powers. il
the army of camoufagers in the execu
tive departments and in the press gen
orally should be sent to France it woulc
relieve, | might interpolate, many {
French soldier now using a rifle.
What the people don't understand
with clarity under the present situa
tion is that when John Shelton Will
lams and Dr.. Garfield have a row it is E
family quarrel. They don't appreciate
as we do, that 1t is practically The
President quarrellng with himself.
I'm every instance the power i: