Sam "S.M." Butler

This image of Sam "S.M." Butler, the newly appointed Chairman of the American Automobile Association (AAA) Contest Board, first appeared in the January 30, 1910 Indianapolis Star. The widely respected Butler had been rumored to replace his successor, Frank Hower, who had been criticized by members of the Manufacturers' Contest Association (MCA) for months. Butler had previously served as secretary of the Automobile Club of America, the United States representative to the international Congress of Recognized Automobile Clubs.
 
The original caption that was published with the photo read as follows:
 
"New York, Jan. 29 - The list of sanctions and duties for motor car events for 1910 has been announced by S.M. Butler, the new chairman of the American Automobile Association contest board."