Salt Lake Tribune | 1919-11-23 | Page 48 | Republic Truck Control Passes

REPUBLIC TRUCK CONTROL PASSES President F. W. Ruggles, J. N. Willys and W. J. Bax-ter Bax-ter Secure Main Interest. The purchase of the controlling Interest In both the Republic Truck company, Inc.. and the Torbenson Axle company, by F. W. Ruggles, J. N. Willys and W. J. Baxter. Bax-ter. Is announced In a letter from Mr. Ruggles. president of the Republic Truck company. Inc., to Manager Duncan of the Randall-Republic company, distributor of Republic trucks In this territory. J. N. Willys is the prominent automobile automo-bile manufacturer of Toledo, Ohio, and Mr. Baxter is a New York capitalist. Mr. Ruggles's letter makes it plain that, in spite of conflicting reports, the Willys-Overland Willys-Overland company is in no way connected with the purchase of the Republic Truck company and that the venture is a personal per-sonal matter on the parts of Mr. Ruggles and both his associates. Since the formation of the Randall-Republic Randall-Republic company Mr. Ruggles has ieen president, having in the first place conceived con-ceived the formation of the concern for the manufacture of Republic trucks, and is also the largest stockholder. The Republic Re-public Truck company has grown until It is now the. largest truck manufacturing concern in the world- At present more than 60,000 Republic trucks are being used In all parts of the world and In practically every line of business. The Torbenson Axle company, control of which also has passed to Mr. Ruggles. Mr. Willys and Mr. Baxter, is a large manufacturer of axles and transmission parts largely used In motor trucks. "The astonishing growth of the Republic Repub-lic Truck company is due to the demonstrated demon-strated ability of the 'yellow chassis' trucks to deliver under any and all conditions," con-ditions," said Mr. Duncan. "This ha.s been shown In the local territory as well as in other parts of the country. In fact, we believe that performances In this particular par-ticular locality are more valuable as showing show-ing the stamina of the Republic than in many other sections. Here we have Republics Re-publics in daily use over mountain trails and roads that try the best of motor mechanisms." t