The Governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses is only after Brother Franze

That would be a false statement. Jehovah's Witnesses have had a Governing Body in modern times since Brother Russell, and after 1919 that Body took on greater roles.

But why deal with this topic? I have had this question posed to me often. The Friends in no way had any ill intent, after all from Brother Russell to Brother Franze, all members of the Governing Body of their day, also served as President of Watchtower. It was during the appointment of Brother Franze that Organizational change started and, it appeared that more information was being published in The Watchtower about the inner running of the Organizational part of the Organization. 
I say "it appeared that more information was being published..." because more information was in fact not being published, just more eyes reading and more voices sharing within Watchtower. I have also learned not many really enjoy the history of Watchtower so they are really unaware of the real facts that exist in the publications. In some cases when someone is quoting something from Watchtower history the information is out of context and kinda sideways and upside-down.
However a look back at Truth and it becomes very apparent that Jehovah's Witnesses in modern times have always had a Governing Body, and yes that term has been used in the decade's past.
Let's have a look at the past. Take note, as I read the other history books again, I will be adding a great deal to this post. Currently everything today 05-15-2024 will be from "Jehovah's Witnesses and the Divine Purpose" book published by Watchtower in 1959.

There are a few other books and references that as I read them again I will update this post.

An important statement in the "Divine Purpose" book is found on page 64. I will quote it, then add the context.
"This was indicative of the uncertainty that existed in the minds of even those of the governing body at that time."
In the 1959 publication the phrase "governing body" is clearly used, but I mentioned context. This statement was a reflection back to the early days of IBSA, this phrase "governing body" was used in reference to the death of Brother Russell in 1916 and, this is important, before Brother Rutherford was elected as president of Watchtower. During that over 2-month period the remaining governing body oversaw the work. There is no way to take out of context this meaning, it is clear in 1916 the governing body of IBSA retained direction without a president. 

Notice this statement in the "Divine Purpose" book page 70.
"Pastor Russell, the president and the other officers of the Society had been the ones to decided on new publications."
Notice that Brother Russell did not make self-decisions on what to provide in print for the Spiritual needs of IBSA. He worked with a body of Spiritual men that oversaw the publication of all material.

As I mentioned there are more references in other publications and as I read them again I will add those to this post. So check this post often.

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​The letter to the left was written in 1938, take a minute to read it. Notice the tag or signature line? 
It is not signed "Brother J.F. Rutherford" but "Your Brothers...Watch Tower..."
Why important?
If Brother Rutherford ran the Organization on his own, he would have signed it.
However, something as simple as a tag line adds evidence that a Governing Body in 1938 was overseeing the work.