The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-02-02
Charles M. White
Retires as Chairman
OF Republic Steel

Charles NJ. White, long a leader
in the nations steel industry, last
month announced his retirement
as chairman of the board and
chief executive officer of Republic
Steel corporation, with headquar-
tiers in Cleveland. White is a ma
tive of Oakland, a son of the late
Mr., and Mrs. Charles F. White,
who resided on Liberty street
The home is still occupied by a
daughter, Mrs Virginia Hart
White, who is approaching 70,
was succeeded as chief executive
officer of the country's third larg
est steel firm by Thomas F, Pat
ton, 81, who will continue as presi-
dent The position of chairman was
abolished.
White will continue as director
of the company and was designated
as honorary chairman of the board
in recognition of his contribution
TO Republics success.
Arrangements have been made
whereby he will render consult
ing and advisory services to the
company.
Whites retirement climaXed a
career in the steel industry span
ming nearly half century. During
the last 30 years he has served Re-
public in various top executive
positions and has been chief
executive officer since 1855
White told his business associates
that he expects to continue to
maintain his residence in Cleve-
land and will continue the many
civic and political activities with
which he has been concerned.
White was graduated from the
University of Maryland as me-
chanical engineer. In 1913 he took
his first steel job, a machinist
helper with American Bridge COM
pany at Ambridge, Pa.
He later became a millwright
helper in a Sintering plant of
Jones and Laughlin Steel cor
poration and became plant SUI
pcrintendent only two years later.
He rose TO higher positions and
in 1927 became assistant general
superintendent of the J and L
Aliquippa works and two years
later was promoted to general
superintendent.
In 1880 White joined the new
ly organized Republic Steel cor
poration as assistant vice prcSi-
dent of operations and was pro-
noted to operating vice president
in 1885. He worked closely for
many years with Tom NJ Girdler,
Republics chief executive.
During World War II, he directed
the extensive military production
of Republic which included not
only basic steel and many fabri-
Gated products but a number of
aircraft components of other
metals.
In 1945 White became Republics
president Under his direction.
steel ingot capacity of Republic
was increased from 100000 to H.,
$4,000 tons per year. He also di-
rected extension of Republics
raw material reserves within the
nation and abroad.
Reserve Mining company where
White alternated as chairman and
served as president from 1851 to
1856, produces high quality iron
ore from taconite rock. Since
White became president Is years
ago more than $50 million dollars
has been spent in expanding and
Improving Republics productiO9
facilities and an additional pro-
gram expected to cost 1915 million.
is under way.
White also is a director of Cleve-
land Trust company and Sherman
Williams Co. and is vice president,
member of the executive commit
tee and a director of the Ameri-
can Iron and Steel Institute.
He has received honorary de-
grees from five colleges and uni
vcrsities and has been recipient
of numerous medals and awards
He married the former Helen
Gordon Bradley in 1918 and they
have a daughter, Mrs George F.
Thomas II and three grandchildren.
MT. LAKE PARK