Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-07-19
Over Two Hundred Dealers At
tended the Three-day Ses-
siOns Held in Alma.
It WAS A GREAT SUCCESS
New Models az Trucks We're Shown
and Mammouth New Restaurant
Was Opened.

General Sales Manager NJ. A.
Holmes Of the Republic Motor Truck
Company, Inc, brought together 20O
Republic dealers az the factory IN
Alma, Michigan, during first three
days of this week for the first of
series of factory conventions.
With more than 900 dealers, COW
ering every state, it was deemed bet
ten to hold the meetings in sections,
rather than to make one big national
convention. I'm the smaller gather
ings the sales organization has a
better opportunity to become ac-
ouainted, there is more opportunity
tor a general participation in the dis
cussion.
Judging by the success of the first,
The Republic has stirring times ahead
in these "get-togethers." Enthusiasm
of the good old-fashioned spontaneous
kind ruled the affair from the coming
OF the advance guard on Sunday to
the departure of the last visitor to-
day. Territorial divisions were not
observed in this first meeting. The
visitors came from the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts, from Louisiana and
Texas, as well as Illinois and Michi
gan. The Republic factory represent
ative for Australia and New Zealand,
" Crowle, came form Adelaide for
the meeting. Every state in the I'M
ion, except four, were represented.
The affair was under the general
ship of Sales Manager Holmes in
which he had the heartiest co-opera-
ton of President Frank W. Ruggles,
Assistant General Manager Lafayette
Markle and every member of the ad
ministrative offices.
The Republic Motor Truck band,
which has gained national fame in its
tours of the country, was present
forty-hve pieces strong-under the
leadership of +. j. Major. This band
which is made up of employees of the
Republic factories has elected high
praise from the critics of the large
cities. II has just returned from
the south and east, including New
York, where it scored brilliant sue
cesses. Its park concerts have had
audiences numbered as many as 30
600. A far western tour is now plan
ned. beginning with Chicago, where
the bands schedule marks July 23rd,
24th and 25th, under the management
ot the Chicago Republic Truck com
pany, w C. Vliet, president
In cooperation with local Repub-
lie dealers, the band gives concerts IN
parks and auditoriums, and leads Re
public truck parades. The event is
heralded by the newspapers and by
billboards for which the Republic has
fine stand of Autographs showing
the entire organization. The turnout
or gaily decorated trucks i'm the cities
makes a fine show. Republic owners
Vie with each other in the get-up Of
their trucks for the processon-and
usually every available Republic is
lin line. 1t is an impressive showing
Of the spread of the Republic market,
and the enthusiasm of the owners Is a
striking tribute to the "strong right
arm of Republic service -
The band paraded and played at
the hotel, opera house and park in
Alma, its programs ranging all the
way from grand opera to the latest
dance music.
Monday was given over to the re-
ccption of visitors and social sessions.
Tuesday morning the visitors were
taken through factory plants No. !,
. and 3. Many of the visitors saw
the factory for the first time. Even
those who visit the factory occasional
ly were impressed with the remarka-
hle growth Of the institution. 1t has
never ceased expanding from the year
Republic trucks were first marketed.
They saw the Republics new moter
plant, its armored radiator plant, rs
construction and assembly depart
ments housed in the finest factory
buildings of steel. reinforced con-
crete and brick-the buildings, test
irp tracks, shipping yards and plat
forms covering nearly twenty-five
acres.
All the models were reviewed
These include the new Republic dump
bodies and equirm mt, and the new
epccial model nine, three-fourths tor
chassis. with the Republic twenty
five per cent overload capacity.
IN all. six chassis we're shown, rang
ing from thrce-fourths-ton to three
end half-ton capacity, with the Re
public bodies OF every type for ev
cry work. from express and sole
panel for delivery to hoist and dunn
foi the heaviest construction-fO
farm work as well as city work
complete line with the interna
gear dfiyc and All the Republic feat
ures which Rave made the remarka
bic sertiee records Of the Republic
Talks on The truck Improvement
were made by the Republic engineer
Cecil Taylor, end assistants.
At p. ~. Tdesday, the visitor
went to ST. Louis, Michigan, thre
miles from Alma, in a special trair
A band concert, chicken dinner an