Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-11-11
SMITH REPUBLIC
VICE PRESIDENT
John n. WHY'S Makes An
nOuncement of New Official
for Alma Plant.
MAS HAD WIDE EXPERIENCE
Years of Work in Automotive Field
Will Lend Strength TO
Organization.

Mr.. John n. Willys, president Of
the Republic Motor Truck Co., Inc,
announces that at a meeting of the
Board Of Directors of that Company
held in New York on Friday, Novem-
Der 5th, Mr.. w. j. Baxter, first vice
president Of the company resigned
that position, and Col. Frank (.
Smith, well known in the Automotive
industry, was elected a director and
first vice president, to succeed Mr..
Baxter.
Col. Smith arrived in Alma Mon
day in company with MIR. Shepherd,
treasurer of Nthe company, and at
once took up his duties. He will
move his family permanently to Al
ma Immediately.
Mr.. WHY'S says that the selection
Of Col Smith for this important po-
sition was made necessary by rea-
son of the fact that neither Mr. Bax-
ter nor himself are able to give the
local situation the time that the bus
mess of the company demands.
Mr. Smith will act in mo capacity
of the direct representative of the
president and the board of directors,
and because of his long and varied
experience in the industry will add
great strength 10 the Republic or
ganization.
Mr.. 0. W. Hayes continues as vice
president with the same duties as
previously.
Prior TO coming to Alma, Mr..
Smith has for many years been con-
nected with the automotive industry,
graduating from the manufacture of
locomotives to that of building auto
mobiles when the American Locomo-
tive Company in 1904 first brought
the Berliet car TO this country from
France, and out of which the Alec
passenger car and truck was devel-
oped.
Leaving the American Locomotive
Company to become general manag-
er of the American & British Manu-
featuring Company of Bridgeport,
many Of the early types Of success
ful internal combustion engines were
built under his direction. notably the
Thomas Detroit or Chalmersforty
which was the most efficient motor
of that day.
In 1909 Smith went TO New Castle,
Indiana, and built up for the Max
well Briscoe Motor Company. what
was then the largest complete auto
mobile unit under one roof in the
world, and operated the plan as gen
eral manager until the failure Of the
United States Motor Company
dragged the Maxwell Company into
receivership, when he was chosen
receiver, and assisted in the reorgan-
ization of the business.
Representing indianapolis banks,
Mr.. Smith successfully liquidated the
American Motors Corporation Of In
dianapolis, and then reOrganized the
Premier Motor Manufacturing Com
pany and housed the business in a
new plant in Indianapolis under the
name Of the Premier Motor Corpora
tion. Mr.. Smith acted for a short
time as vice president and general
manager Of the reorganized Premier
and during this period brought out
the Premier aluminium six with elec-
trio gear shift
With the entrance Of the United
States into the World War, Smith
went 70 Washington and offered his
services to the Government, first
working as a civilian in the Produc-
tion Division of the Ordnance De-
partment and then in the Equipment
Division of the Signal Corps.
There was demand for a practical
manufacturer in whom both the Gov
ernment and the Automotive Trade
had confidence, to organize the FL
nance Division of the Signal Corps
and direct its activities and Smith
was chosen for this work. accepting
a commission as Captain in the Sig
nal Corps in the summer Of 1917,
and serving in various grades in Air
Service, through TO the spring of
1919, when he was honorably dis
charged as Colonel, Air Service, and
returned 20 civilian life.
During this period Of almost two
years Smith saw the Country's ca
pacity for the manufacture Of air
craft start from practically nothing
and assume immense proportions
and is a firm believer in the import
ance and great possibilities Of avia-
tion. both in times Of peace and war
and also the ability Of American en-
gineers and manufacturers TO keep
step with the progress Of the art.
After leaving the army. Col. Smith
opened an office in New York, and
has since devoted his time 10 advis-
ory work for various institutions
and more particularly 10 the reor-
ganization and refinancing Of in.
dustrial enterprises.
Be sure TO bring your friends with
boxes to the Program Box Social and
other attractions at the Ely school
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