General Motors Chief Resigns after Board Turns Up Pressure as in Many Large Companies, GM's outside Directors Have Taken a More Assertive Role

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A STRUGGLE for control of General Motors Corporation ended yesterday with the resignation of its chairman, Robert Stempel.

"I made this decision in the best interest of the corporation and its fine, dedicated employees at all levels of the organization," Mr. Stempel said in a statement released by the world's largest automaker. "I could not in good conscience continue to watch the effects of rumors and speculation that have undermined and slowed the efforts of General Motors people to make this a stronger, more efficient, effective organization."

John Smale, chairman of the GM board's executive committee, responded that the board had accepted Stempel's resignation …