”NEW COMPANY FORMED

Confirming rumors that have been current for the past month, it is announced that a new company, which will be known as the Thomas-Morse Aircraft Corporation, headed by Frank L. Morse, will take over the assets of both the Thomas Bros. Aeroplane Company and the Thomas Aeromotor Company. The organizations of the retiring companies will be retained under the personal direction of Mr. Morse, who is well known in engineering and manufacturing circles generally, where the Morse Rocker Joint Silent Chain is extensively used for power transmission and cam-shaft drives for automobile motors. William T. Thomas, formerly the president of the Thomas Companies will occupy the position of Vice-President of the new company, and B. Douglas Thomas will continue as Chief Engineer in the department of airplane design. Jerome A. Fried. General Manager of the Aeromotor Company in the past, will act as Secretary and Treasurer. Raymond Ware, who was formerly in charge of sales of both airplanes and aero-engines will continue in this capacity and also have general supervision of the advertising. The personnel of the Engine Department, which will shortly move into a new and spacious concrete steel factory, remains the same. Harold N. Bliss will be in charge of manufacturing and George H. Abel will continue as chief engineer and have oversight of all experimental work. Much of the success that has attended the Thomas 135-horsepower aeromotor, now well known to aeroplane manufacturers, is due to these two men. who combine experience covering more than eight years in the development of highspeed aeronautical engines. With the increased facilities offered by the new aeromotor factory, production will be materially increased.”

Reference Data:

Aviation and Aeronautical Engineering, Vol. 2, 1917, page 47