Evening star., 1918-08-28
Action Repeatedly Predicted.

The necessity for the eventual con-
solidation of the various activities
connected with the munitions pro-
gram has been repeatedly predicted
since the early days of the war. EN-
periences of Great Britain. prior to
the establishment of distinct minis
try of munitions. led many experts TO
recommend similar action as a rem
edy for difficulties in this country.
Secretary Baker is understood to
have hesitated to approve the pro-
posal, believing that il was not neces-
sary at the time when the United
States Army was in the making. but
that it might be taken up when the
country.s industry was organized for
the tremendous production required
by an army numbering millions in
stead of thousands.
Mr.. Crowell, since his appointment
as chief assistant TO MIR. Baker. has
had special charge of industrial mat
ters coming before the War Depart
ment. His designation as director OF
munitions will mean in reality but
slight change from the work in which
he has already been engaged.
Additional authority now has been
delegated, however. which will en-
able Mr. Crowell to handle the large
problems embraced in the task de-
scribed by Secretary Baker as seeing
the munitions required for our mill
tary operations are procured and fur
nished to the Army in the field
Mr.. Ryan in Full Control.
aeronautics and of the bureau OF air
craft production has been given to Sec
retary Ryan. who is authorized to name
a head for the latter organization. He
will thus have charge OF the production
VT airplanes and of the training of per
.onnel to man them. bringing the entire
lir program under the single authority
recommended by Maj. Gen William L.
Kenly, chief of military aeronautics. and
other experts before the Senate mill
tary affairs committee.
MIR. Ryan is expected to put into ef-
feet Immediately changes in organiza-
ton which will result in the co-ordina-
tion of the two bureaus which he will
control
The third assistant secretary of war.
Frederick p. Keppel. will continue in
his present duties. These include mainly
matters other than military routine con-
corning the personnel of the Army.
Has Presidents Approval.
Secretary Bakers statement announc-
ing the appointment follows:
with the concurrence of the Pres
ident. 1 have selected Mr. John D..
RYAN 20 act as second assistant sec
retary of war in the place of Mr..
Edward R. Stettinius. who is now in
Edward r. Stettinius will continue
the special representative of the
War Department in France. with full
power to carry out special missions
with which he is charged. and will
exercise as such special representa-
tive all the powers he has hereto
fore had.
Mr.. John D. Ryan, as second as
sistant secretary. is designated di-
rector of air service and is charged
sTith the responsibility of procuring
and furnishing to the Army in the
field the material and personnel re-
Quired for the air service, and is
given supervision. control and direc-
tion over the bureau of aircraft pro-
duction and the bureau of military
aeronautics with full power COM
pletely to coordinate their activi-
ties and do develop and carry out
the air program. Mr.. Ryan will se-
lect a new head for the bureau of air.
craft production.
Is Given Necessary Power.
Mr.. Benedict c. Crowell, first as
intrusted with the responsibility for
the munitions program. and as .di-
rector of munitions is given the nee
essary power to see that the muni-
tions required for our military opera
tons are procured and furnished to
the Army in the field.
MIR. keppel regains the duties
heretofore assigned him.
The new relation assumed by Mr.
Stettinius is in pursuance of a plan
fully discussed with him before he
went to Europe, with which he is in
full accord"