The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-01

drawings and specifications TO be fur
| nished by the Government. In order to
secure production OF types of planes un-
known to our manufacturers 1t was
necessary that the Government should
create an engineering department which
| quate and accurate drawings and speci-
hcations But this essential condition
| or achievement was not met.
Lack OF Airplnnc Engineers.
Undoubtedly the lack of airplane en-
gneers was n serious obstacle. Stin,
there were few in the country who had
devoted themselves sedulously for a con-
siderable time to the study OF aviation
| problems, and IT does not appear that
there was suitable effort to draw TO
| the Governments service such talent as
was available. Whether or not much as
sistance could have been obtained In this
| way is question which cannot be an
swered In the absence of an appro-
Pirate test IT was, however. entirely
obvious that the exipency called for the
most efficient organization and that no
add to inexperience the lack of n suitable
organization and the confusion of d
divided responsibility would inevitably
lead to serious delays and threaten the
entire progra NINE"
As rejecting the attitude of mind OF
some Of the men who were associated
Win the work the report quotes from
letter written six months after we en-
tered the war by Archer A. Landon
tMr. Coffin's asistanD to Howard NJ
Colin, then head OF the Aircraft Pro-
duction Board
In his letter Mr.. Landon said:
The lack of organization and
continuity Of responsibility Is 80 apparent
ha r1ira
we men who have come here in an
effort to assist you find ourselves very
seriously embarrassed. and justly so
We are started Off to do what seems to
% an important piece OF work only to-
find that this work has been delegated
TO somebody else in some other depart
ment and that We are treadng on other
peoples toes. The result Is that We do
not get the information we want and We
40 not get anywhere. They do not
throw us out, but they are all adept at
pulling the latest Washington game of
passing the buck or else frankly re-
senting our appearance in the matter.
Delay in Getting Spruce.
Take the spruce situation as an ex-
ample of dilly dallying through a lack
Of organization. The first ] knew of the
spruce situation was around the latter
that time 1t was one of your great wor-
ries. The entire aircraft programme
was and Is now endangered by the lack
of ability to get spruce. and yet from
mat time until now. Notwithstanding re-
peated conferences. there was nothing
done on the spruce situation, either to-
ward closing contracts or increasing pro-
duction, until October 10. when Col
Disque was sent West on the situation.
a loss of time of practically three
months. If this had been your own bust
ness the men would have been on their
way West the day after the matter was
first brought up The only reason that
there was no action in July was because
We do not possess an organization Of di-
rect responsibility. and on that account
these inefficiencies are possible and they
will continue to occur until such time as
somebody wakes up and thoroughly or
ganizes the work"
After giving a further Illustration Mr. !
l.andon continued
This is not intended as criticism of
Gen, Sauler or the other officers, but II ,
is intended TO be a very vigorous critl-
ciSm OF methods Of organization that I
make such n condition possible and T,
submit to you. sir. that II this same con-
dition exists in all departments and con- |
tinues to exist we might as well Submit !
to the Germans now. because the only !
way you can beat efficiency is to match /
1t with efficiency, and efficiency can only /,
be obtained b. a thorough organizing of
our responsibilities and following them
through TO n definite conclusion. which :
conclusion should be the winning of the ,
war