The Washington times., 1929-02-13
DURANT ELECTS
FIVE NEW
CHIEFS

Frederick ]. Haynes, new presi-
dent of Durant Motors, is one OF
the most conspicuous and beloved
figures of the automotive industry.
During his time as president of
Dodge Brothers that company at
tained its peak in production and
earnings. For years Haynes has
served with distinction on the board
of directors or the National Auto
mobile Chamber of Commerce and
at the head of many of its most I'M
portant committees. AS an ex'
ponent of fair dealing and the prin-
ciples of rugged, sterling honesty in
business, he is perhaps without
peer.
Haynes began the automobile busi-
ness under H H. Franklin and as
a young man rose to superintend'
ency of the Franklin factory. The
Dodge brothers made him factory
manager when they opened their
plant in Detroit. With the passing
of the second of the brothers,
Haynes became president of the
concern and continued in that ca.
pacity until the sale of Dodge
Brothers to Dillon. Read and Conn
pany, when he was made chairman
of the board.
Ralph A, Vail, new vice president
in charge of engineering and pro-
duction of Durant Motors, has long
been recognized in the automotive
industry as man of unusual
genius in his field.
Surprised French
Some of the latest and most sen.
sational motors and chassis develop
ments are his creations. He comes
to Durant to reioin a group with
whom he was long associated in
Dodge Brothers. Vail is known as
much for his insistence on quality
as for his skilful achievements in
mass production.
A feat that brought him the
widest acclaim was the record break
ing time in which he built and
brought into production the great
ordnance plant erected by Dodge
Brothers during the war for the
manufacture of recoil mechanisms
used in French 155 m. guns. The
French had not believed it possible
TO manufacture the ponderous and
delicate implements except by their
own tedious methods. but Vail not
only accomplished 1t in typical
American fashion in a remarkably
brief time, but made the mechan-
ism operate even better than the
French. had been able to do.
John A. Nichols. ir.. new secre.
tary.treasurer of Durant Motors
has a wide following among trade
and public alike.
In Original Group
Prior to his vice presidency OF
Dodge Brothers he was general
sales manager of that company.
Nichols was one of the original
group of Dodge Brothers executives
serving successfully as district lan.
ager in Seattle, Chicago and Ne,y
York. Prior to this he was asso.
clated in an executive capacity with
the Franklin Company. His broad
experience covers every phase of
manufacturing, distributing and re-
failing of motor cars.
X. T. Hodgkins, director and
newly appointed general sales man.
ager of Durant Motors, has
long and distinguished record in
automobile manufacture.
He came to his new position with
Durant Motors from the Federal
Truck Company. Detroit, where he
was vice president He was for
many years general sales manager
of the Studebaker Corporation and
is considered one of the ablest
sales executives in the business.
George Harrison Phelps, director
and advertising counsel of Durant
Motors. was director of advertising
of Dodge Brothers during that com
pany's early years.
Phelps assisted in the formation
of the Dodge Brothers advertising
policy that has always been recog-
nized as one OF the outstanding
achievements of the profession.
Seven years ago Mr.. Phelps es-
tablished his own agency. continu-
Ing to handle all Dodge Brothers
advertising throughout the world.
George Harrison Phelps. Inc. main
tains its headquarters in Detroit,
with branches in New York and
London.
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