New-York tribune., 1919-04-03
Chief of the 9th Division
Declares Decentralization
of Authority Alone Will
Keep us. From Kaiserism
He Talks of His Plans
Has Much Detail Work of
9th to Clear Up Before
Return to Private Life

Majo- General John F. O'Ryan, who
was mustered out Of the United States
army en- Monday, will devote his time
to recognizing the 9th as New York
State unit and to other duties attend
ing the ending of the battle career of
the division.
General O'Ryan announced his plans
at the Office of the 9th Division, in the
Hall, of Records, yesterday. When
asked what he intended doing next he
replied with smile:
I'D like to play with railroad.
That's work that has the same ele-
ments of discipline and administration
with which I was acquainted as COM
mander of the 9th Division"
General Organ added that any large
corporation would offer an attractive
field for future work, but that he would
not accept any job until he found some
one who regarded his value in the same
light as he regarded it himself.
Job Far From Completed
General O'Ryan will make his head
quarters for the present in the Hall of
Records, and will be assisted in his
closing-up work by his divisional staff.
4 have much to do before my job is
completed" said General O'Ryan.
aside from the reorganization of the
division on a state basis, l have much
to do in relation to awards of honors
to officers and men for gallantry and
exceptional service.
There are inquiries by the hundreds
concerning the circumstances of the
death of officers and men killed. The
people look to me for this information
and I purpose to do all can to supply
it. There are claims of property losses
to be readjusted, historical records to
be prepared and citations to be
awarded.
"After that I may have an oppor-
tunity to engage in some effort which
will enable me to provide properly for
my family
Likes the Swiss System
General Organ, in formal State
ment, said the military training system
Of Switzerland. which prevents CEN
tralization of command, should be
followed in this country. He called
attention to the danger of transferring
militarism from Germany to America.
He said:
"The Federal Law. and its interpre-
tation by the Federal authorities, ap-
pear to have resulted in the legal
disintegration of the 9th Division.
We read in the public press that it's
numerical designation, with all that it
implies. is to be given to some other
force which the War Department plans
to create. Similar action probably
awaits other National Army and Guard ,
divisions.
Il believe that the officers and men
OF the 9th Division will reorganize
their division under the authority of
the Governor and the laws of the
State Of New York. l believe they will
do that as speedily as possible, and
believe that such action is needed in
the public interest. There are two
reasons for this view which transcend
IN Importance all others.
"ln the first place, the officers and
men Of the division, whether they were
formerly of the National Guard, Re-
serve Corps or the National Army, are
among the best and most dependable
citizens we have to aid in the solution
OF very pressing problems. The people
saw them on the streets of the city
and IN the parade. They are fearless
and highly disciplined
They Can't Be Stampeded
They can no more be stampeded
by the false teachings of profe ssional
agitators or by the selfishly ambitious
than they were by force of arms in
battle. They represent all classes and
vocations, ages, creeds, political faiths
and localities in the state, but they
are one in their faith in their country
and the ultimate sufficency of it's in
sltuations. They have travelled in
Europe, but not as the tourist travels.
1t may be said that they lived there,
for they lived among the people of
Belgium, of Britain and of France.