Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-14
OF AUTO
INDUSTRY RET|RES
John N. WHY'S Has Been Out.
standing Leader and
Executive Genius.
BY JOHN r. SINCLAIR.

tlremenC OF Jonh N. WHY'S, the eubo@
mobile industry loses one Of its out
standing leaders.
The recent sale of his common stock
interest in the Willys-Overland Co. to
Toledo and Chicago capitalists, headed
by C. o. Miniger of Toledo and Mar
shall Field and Charles Glore of Chi
cago. gives John WHY'S. now So,
chance to retire and follow through
some of the things which, In the press
of an active business life. he has found
it impossible to do.
Mr.. WHY'S at one time had control
of the Curtis Aeroplane & Motor Co.,
the Moline Pillow Co. and was leading
factor in Fisk Rubber Co. and Electric
Auto Lite Co.
Biggest Achievement.
What was the biggest thing you
ever did?" Mr.. WHY'S was asked by
way of introduction.
TO make a million dollars on $50
600 capital" came the quick reply. But
that really doesn't sound quite right.
Success is at the bottom overcoming
obstacles. After the difficulties are
overcome, then the piling up Of more
money in an easy way doesn't con-
stitute success. It's the beginning and
the success which greets ones early eff
forts that has in it the real merit Sf
SuceeF~
This. IN truth, represents the nature
Of Mr.. WHY'S exactly. From early boy
hood be has been wide-awake. alert
and unusually energetic He has never
let grass grow under his feet.
When mere boy he showed marked
business ability in his little business
deals with his companions. He always
had something in his pockets for sale.
The first real initiative he showed
was when, noticing how horses reins
were always falling down among horses
feet, he procured a dozen little clamps
for holding the reins. With the pro-
ceeds from the sale Of the first dozen
he bought two dozen more and dis
posed Of them all.
Early Success.
At II, he made a contract with his
father to work in his brick tile factory
for Is cents Saturday, with extra
pay for afternoons after school He
made a success of all he tackled
with one exception. The returns he
received from the sale of a Life of
Garfield" did not satisfy him. All
these ventures were carried on when
he was at the age at which the average
boy leaves the nursery
His first big" business venture was
when he bought a laundry-much
against his parents wishes, at Seneca
Falls. N. Y, 80 miles from his home.
His first check for Sc for the laundry
work he had difficulty in cashing be-
cause no one there knew him. At the
end of the year, he and his partner sold
out with a net profit of 500.
He was getting along nicely, but
wanted more education. So he went
home with the intention of working his
way through college to be a lawyer.
He did well in his studies both in school
and in law Office, but when his father
died suddenly all his dreams had TO be
given up.
Thus thrown on his own resources.
the lad took the 500 that he had saved
from the laundry business and bought
sample bicycle. This New Mail" for
which he became local agent, sold well
among his friends. He induced num-
Der of them to invest in the new
'safeties" and by 10 he had organized
sales company and repair shop.
His bicycle business. entered into at
50 early an age, Is excellent evidence
Of his bent toward mechanics and
organization.
Automobile Pioneer.
In 1904 an obscure little man came
from Elmira, N. Y, to astonish the
world with his genius for organization
and pioneering in che automobile In
,dustry.
Ten years later he was head Of allied
interests representing combined
annual business of nearly 100000 900,
the second largest manufacturers In the
world of autos.
He loves to tell about his early expert
ences.
II surely was going on high gear" he
said, speaking of his youthful bicycle
venture. But I made the mistake of
. thinking everybody was honest like
myself. It Is one thing to sell, another
to collect. The free silver rumpus of
1895 bowled me over. 1t taught me
lesson and put some sense in my head"
How did you make that million dol
lars on only $4,000 capital?" he was
| asked.
oh by sheer nerve and lot of con-
smiled in reply.
II saw the tremendous possibilities
| in the automobile business, even If did
! get laughed at" Mr.. WHY'S continued.
| AUTOMOBILES in those days were con-
| sidered 'fly-by-night' concerns, and no
| bank would grant credit willingly.
II found out that the best policy IS
! always to tell your banker the truth
! and make him believe in you. II you
| do not regard yourself as the best col
lateral in the world, you haven't enough
confidence in yourself to warrant bor-
rowing money.
Soon after I had taken over the
| Overland company had a draft sent
me, which the bank refused to honor
Immediately. They had put up sign.
! Drafts for collection only which put
me in bad TX. for had to get money
! somewhere.
Drafts Paid Promptly.
II begged and pleaded with the bank
! but No was the answer. But went
out and telegraphed to friend OF mine
to honor the drafts when they became
| due. And the bank was surprised that
they were paid SO promptly.
I'm seven months after l had taken
over the overland company my books
showed a net profit of $4,000.
| Everybody had said I would fail.
But did not. 1t was big thing, and
it was done only by keeping on the
| jump all the time"
These words illustrate as nothing else
can the type. of man Mr.. WHY'S is.
When he became president Of the Over
| land Co. on January ., 1908; II SIaS so
| hard up that the firm could not raise
$3.50 to pay wages.
But after he took charge business
picked up from the start. Cash began
to flow in and the increased demand
for cars made 1t easy sailing.
In spite of the tremendous success
| that he has attained, Mr.. WHY'S Is the
same democratic, unaffected person
that he was when he struggled to cash
the Sc laundry check. There is nothing
"put-on' about him.
ITO what do you owe the greater
| part of your achievements" Mr.. WHY'S
was asked.
ITO good hard work." he answered
quick as a flash. It was not a boast