The Sentinel=record. (Hot Springs, Ark.) 1900-current, 1918-08-28
HEADS OF MUNITIONS
AND AIR SERVICE NAMED
THESE BRANCHES ARE TO BE
UNDER THE CONTROL OF
BENEDICT c. CROWELL
AND JOHN D. RYAN

Washington, Aug. 27-Virtual es-
! Enlistment of MINISTRIES if NUM-
tions and aviation, and the appoint
ment of Benedict c. Crowell. first
assistant secretary of war, and John
| ID Ryan, chief OF the bureau of milf
tary aeronautics, as the respective
heads was announced today by Sec
rotary Baker While the official
statement refer to the appointees as
director of munitions" and "direc-
tor of air service" the changes evil
IDENTITY are intended to erect separate
organizations each under the direct
control of one man who will hold
wide hand and be entrusted with ali
responsibility in these fields
Mr. Ryan. with his new duties. as
sumes the position of second assist
ant secretary of war, vice Edward II
Stettinius. who is now abroad, in CON
nection with important government
matters. Mr. Stettinius is to remain
IN France indefinitely, it was an
nounced, as special representative Of
the war department with full power
to carry out the special missions with
which he is charged.
The necessity for the eventual con
solldation of the various activities
connected with the munitions pro-
gram has been repeatedly predicted
since the early days of the way Ex-
pcriences 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 cocntry.
Secretary Baker is understood to
have hesitated to approve the pro
posal, believing that it was not neces-
sary at the time when the United
states army was in the making. but
that it might he taken up when the
ccuntry's industry was organized for
the tremendous production reinforce
ments required by an army nurrbcr-
ing millions instead Of thousands
Mr. Crowell since his appointment.
as chief assistant to Mr. Baker. hasl
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. Ad-
ditOnal authority how has been dele
GATED, however which will enable
Mr. Crowell to handle the large prob
TENS embraced in the task described
by Secretary Baker as seeing THE
munitions required for our miitary
operations are procured and furnish
ed to the army in the field"
Full control of the bureau of mill
tary aeronautics and of the bureauI
of aircraft production has been given
TO Secretary Ryan who is authorized
t. name new head for the latter
organization lie will thus have
charge of production of airplanes and
of the training of personnel to man
them, bringing the entire air pro
gram under the single authority re-
commended by Major General Will
liam /. Kenly, chief of military aero
nautics, and other experts before the
senate military affairs committee.
Mr. Ryan is expected to put into
effect Immediately changes in organ
ization which will result in the CO.
ordination Of the two branches which
he will control
The third assistant secretary of
war Frederick p. Keppel, will con-
tinue in his present duties, These in
clude mainly matters other than mill
tary routine concerning the person
nei of the army.