Charles Piez (September 24, 1866 - October 2, 1933) was an American mechanical engineer, manufacturer, and president of the Link-Belt Co. He was president of the Electric Company, and vice president and general manager of the Emergency Fleet Corporation (EFC).The American Architect and Engineer Blue Book: A Distinct Cyclopedia of 1921. 1912. p. 242.Edward N. Hurley. The Bridge to France. 1927. He is also known as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers from 1930 to 1931.American Machinist, 1933. p. 308
Biography Piez was born in Mainz, Grand Duchy of Hesse, the son of Jacob Piez and Katherine (Liebig) Piez, both naturalized American citizens.James Terry White (1967). The National cyclopaedia of American biography. p. 17 He emigrated with his parents to the United States, and attended public schools in Manhattan, New York City.Iron Age, Vol. 132. 1933. p. 53 He entered the School of Mines of Columbia University in the class of 1888. Due to financial reverses in the family he worked for a year, and graduated with the class of 1889.The Iron Trade Review. 1918. p. 1565
After graduation Piez started his career in industry as an engineer draftsman at the Link-Belt Engineering Corporation in Philadelphia under James Mapes Dodge. He worked his way up to chief engineer, general manager, and eventually vice-president until 1906.
In 1906, the Link-Belt Engineering Corporation merged into the Link-Belt Co., and Piez was elected president. Piez held the position of president until 1917.Grain and Farm Service Centers, Vol. 39. 1917. p. 997 After the outbreak of World War I, Piez was appointed vice-president of the Emergency Fleet Corporation (EFC). He represented the EFC on the priorities board of the War Industries Board. In 1917, he was also appointed manager of the United States Shipping Board, succeeding Rear-Admiral Frederic R. Harris."Charles Piez Made Manager of Ship Board." Chicago Tribune, December 18, 1917 In 1919, Piez forbade the Seattle ship manufacturers from meeting workers demands, triggering the Seattle General Strike. Piez was singled out as a prime target of the strike. The action was unsuccessful.The Seattle General Strike by Friedheim, Robert L. Reprinted 2018 Until his retirement in April 1933, Piez served as chairman of the board of the Link-Belt Corporation.
From 1925 to 1927, Piez served as president of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association.Industry Week. Vol. 78, 1926. p. 367 From 1930 to 1931, he served as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
He died on October 2, 1933, in Washington, D.C. He was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Selected publications Charles Piez. Personal reminiscences of James Mapes Dodge, 1916
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