Evening star., 1933-10-02
CHARLES P|Ez DIES;
ROOSEVELT FRIEND
Associate of Charles N.
SchWab Claimed by Pneu-
monia After Long Illness.

Charles Piez, close friend Of President
Roosevelt and an associate of Charles
M. Schwab in the direction Of the
Emergency Fleet Corporation during
the World War, died today in Garfield
Hospital.
Mr. Piez, who was 81, had been in
III health for the last five years, but
pneumonia was given as the direct
cause Of his death.
Since February, 1892, he. had been
wholly inactive in business, and his last
appearance in official circles here was
as dinner guest of tn President at
the White House recently.
Mr. Piez who was chairman of the
board Of the Link Belt Co. Of Chicago
and past president of the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers, moved
to Washington last May, making his
home at the Shoreham Hotel.
In November, 1917, Mr.. Piez, largely
as result Of his work as an organ
izer and manager Of industry, was
selected by Edward N. Hurley, then
chairman of the Shipping Board, to
be vice president and general manager
Of the Emergency Fleet Corporation.
Headed Ship Program.
First as general manager and later
as director general. 1t was Mr.. Piez's
Job to carry out the huge shipbuilding
program Of the United States.
As chief executive Of this vast en-
terprise, after he succeeded Mr.. Schwab
as director general. he directed the ex-
penditure Of $4,000, ,0O0, 900, supervising
the work Of go, 1000 persons employed In
shipyards and fabricating plants, as
we'll as in industries furnishing supplies.
He joined the Emergency Fleet Cor
poration in its earlier DAYS, and the
character of the organization, its per
sonnel and methods, were largely Of
his creation.
Named Chairman.
Mr.. Piez resigned as director general
OF the organization on May /, 1919, TO
return to his former post as president
OF the Chicago belt concern. He con-
he became chairman Of the board.
Born in Germany of naturalized
American parents, Mr.. Picz received his
technical education as q mining engi-
neer at the Columbia University School
Of Mines. Like many other men who
later became leaders in the business and
industrial worlds, his own earnings
went great way toward paying for
his education.
Graduating in 1889, he Immediately
entered the employ of the Link Belt
Engineering Co.. in Philadelphia. as an
engineer craftsman. After rising to
the position Of chief engineer and gen.
e-al manager Of the Philadelphia plant,
he was elected president Of q consolida-
ton Of three related concerns-the
Link Belt Machinery Co., Chicago; the
EWart Manufacturing Co., Indianapolis,
and the Link-Belt Engineering Co.,
Philadelphia.
Republican and Mason.
Mr.. Piez. a Republican and a Mason,
also served as president of the Com
mercial Club Of Chicago, president of
the Illinois Manufacturers Association; !;
director Of the Drexel State Bank, Chi
cago: director Of the Illinois Bell Tele-
phone Co. and member of the Execu-
tive Committee of the Museum of Sci
ence and Industry. founded by Julius
Rosenwsld. He held the honorary de-
gree Of doctor Of commercial science
conferred on him by New York Uni
versity.
Organizations in which Mr.. Piez held
membership included the American In
stitute of Mining and Metallurgical En-
gineers. the Society Of Naval Architects
and Marine Engineers. the Western So
ciety Of Engineers and the Engineers
Society Of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
As a member Of the Workmen's Com
pensation Commission of Illinois and of
the State Arbitration Board. he was in
strumental in the formulation of much
Of the labor legislation now in effect in
the Midwestern State.
Mr.. Piez is survived by his widow.
Mrs. Laura Sadler Piez, formerly of
Laurel, Md; a sister, Miss Ernestine
Piez, New York, and several nephews
and nieces.
Funeral arrangements have not been
completed.