Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-05-21
DIVORCES SIGNAL DEPARTMENT
AND RELIEVES soulER OF
JURISDICTION.
SWEEPING ORDER FOLLOWS
SIGNING OF ovERMAN BILL
General Squier to Remain Chief Signal
officer But Will Handle No Funds
Two New Agencies to Take over
Aircraft Administration and Pro-
duction.

Washington, May 21.-As his first
measure of administrative reform I'M
der the Overman act, which he signed
yesterday, President Wilson issued an
executive order divorcing aircraft pro-
duction and operation from the juris-
diction of the army signal corps and of
Maj. Gen. George o. Squier the chief
signal officer.
General SQuier as head Of the sig
nal corps has been charged with being
officially responsible for the break
down Of the program to place thous-
ands of American built airplanes on
the battle front this spring
Coincident with the action Of the
president Secretary of War Baker de-
tached from aviation duty Coils. s. D.
Walden, Robert l.. Montgomery and
Edward 4. Deeds. the three officers
who have shared with General Squier
the severest criticism for the airplane
hasco. Mr.. Baker directed that the
three officers report to the attorney
general for such cooperation and as
sistance as they can render in the avi-
alton investigation with which the de-
partment of justice has been charged"
Deeds Accused by BorsIum.
Under this order Colonel Deeds Is
assigned TO assist in the Investigation
or charges OF serious character, some
OF which were directed at himself, by
Gutzon Borglum. the sculptor who
conducted ar inquiry under an author
ization by the president
A fortnight ago General Souier and
Colonels Deeds and Montgomery re-
quested Secretary Baker to appoint a
military court to pass on the charges
against them. Colonel Walden is the
former automobile engineer who figured
conspicuously in designing the Liberty
motor and recently was sent to France
to investigate General Pershings air
plane needs
By the presidents order two new
agencies are created to take over all
the work OF aircraft administration and
production.
A bureau Of aircraft production un-
der John D. Ryan. win have complete
control of production
A bureau Of military aeronautics.
under Major General Kenly, will have
jurisdiction over the training and oper-
ations Of military aviators.
Squier Must Give Up Funds.
GeneralsSquier will remain chief sig
nal officer but will be required to re-
linquish all control over aviation and
transfer to Director Ryan and General
kenly all funds in his possession ap-
propriated for aircraft work.
Secretary TSsker authorized tho fol
lowing statement, giving in brief the
details Of the changes made under the
presidents first CO. ordinating~ order:
Under the presidential order issued
by authority of the Overman CONSOLE
dalton and coordination act, all mat
tiers relating to aircraft are removed
entirely from the signal corps.
Ryan Rules Production.
Bureaus of military aeronaut!cs
and aircraft production are created di-
-ectly under the secretary Of war All
employees and officers of the signal
corps who have to do with aviation are
transferred to one or the other OF these
bureaus
John D. Ryan, director Of aircraft
production, will have complete and ex-
elusive Jurisdiction and control over
the production : Of airplanes. motors
and equipment.
General Kenly. director OF military
aeronautics. will have charge OF the op-
Grafton and maintenance Of all military
aircraft, including airplanes and bal
looms. Training of officers Will be I'M
der his direction. Also flying fields.
Confers Broader Authority.
General Squier, the chief signal Off
GER will handle military signal mat
ters Within his jurisdiction will come
the construction. repair and operation
Of military telegraph lines and also
ether matters relating to military sig
mailing.