The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-09-04
THE AIRCRAFT PROGRAM.
Many Planes Being Built in Ameri
c;,n-Good Progress Made.

! Washington, Aug. 2S.-John y.
Ryan. signalized his first day in Of
office as second assistant secretary Of
war and as director Of aeronautics
today by taking occasion, as he put
it Ito give an idea Of what work has
been going on in the bureau Of air
craft production during the last few
months while Investigations and re-
organizations have made it advisable
10 keep silence"
1t was the first public statement
made by Mr.. Ryan since he became
identified with the air craft program.
In announcing that it had been
necessary to abandon one type OF air
plane, the Bristol, after the expendl-
ture of considerable money and time
because it was found unsafe and Of
little military value, Mr.. Ryan SAID
the same thing might happen again.
lie pointed out, however, that de
Aaviland planes. improved by eXpe-
rience, have reached quantity produc-
ton, and told of successful efforts of
American and foreign designers to fit
new types OF planes to Liberty mo-
tors. Orders for Liberty II cylinder
motors have been increased from 22,-
500 to $4,000, he said, and building
of Rispano-Suiza and eight cylinder
Liberty motors had been ordered to
balance the program"
Emphasizing that motor produc-
ton was now fully up to expectations,
Mr.. Ryan said that each of the al
lied governments is seeking Liberty
motors in quantity more than we
can build" The contracts for the
Hispano-Suiza motors provide en-
g!nes of $50 and 900 horse power.
I'VE are making good many de
liaviland fours," he said There his
been q good deal of criticism Of
them, and there have been good
many changes made on them re-
Gently. These changes have not been
discovered in the way that is gener-
ally supposed.
When they were first built, an Of
ficer from this bureau was sent to
see these machines put together on
the other side, to see them flown, to
get the information that came from
the tests, and to report any changes
that would make them, better. This
officer returned, and some days later
cable from General Pershing was
received embodying the same things,
covering the same points, found
through the same channels, and as
soon as it did come the orders for
changes were made and issued. So
called defects that result in changes
are not in many cases what you can
really call defects at all, but improve
ments in workmanship, and they are
going on all the time
Models of the Sc five, "a single
seated British fighter, have been
brought TO the United States, MIR.
Ryan said, and copies Of it; made
here are being tested. Captain LeI
pere, a French officer, has designed
three types of planes to fly with the
Liberty u, he said, "and they are
very promising"
There are at least two other types
Of machines that are beingSateWn that
we do not think it advisable to give
publicity to because they are not 50
far along that we feel satisfied they
are going through" Mr.. Ryan said.
I'VE do not want to say that we have
five types and then come out with
only three
Contrary to supposition we are
using many American designers OF
reputation"
Speaking of engines as the 'limit-
ing factor in airplane production,
Mr.. Ryan declared that 1.-The best en-
gine building shops in America" were
being given "every inducement" toI
get large production of Liberty anu
other motors now being used.
1--WE are not afraid Of what we can
accomplish" he said, "but we are not
going to make any promise or pre-
dictions. would not say that we are
meeting the need at the front because
the need on the front has never been
met, not only as far as the American
army is concerned. bat it has never
been met as far as any army is con-
cerned"
He expressed complete confidence
that American artisans and nanufac-
turers can successfully meet the del
icate requirements of airplane con-
.struction because there is no mys-
ferry about it :"