His constant promotion of this theme finally spread the enthusiasm among other civic leaders and the first meeting of the Airport corporation was held Jan. 18, 1930. With the development of the depression, the city was unable to proceed with plans to purchase the airfield, but an agreement was reached De. This step was necessary to obtain CWA funds for the improvement of the field, inasmuch as the federal government declined to approve projects for privately-owned holdings. Members of the corporation in the future desire to see the city add the airport to the park system, much along the same line that South Bend has operated the Bendix field as a unit of the street department. Only 120 acres are actually needed for aviation purposes, and the rest could be utilized for landscaping and general beautification.
Officials say the original offer of sale still stands good.
One condition would be required in any sale contract made by the corporation, it was pointed out, and that is the stipulation that the field always be used for aviation purposes. The port here because of its natural location at the tip of Lake Michigan is bound to grow, although that growth may be slow at first. Eventually the city may have to subsidize the airport like the system used in Chicago but that's the price any community has to pay to have available a type of transportation which is getting bigger and bigger every day. The manager pointed out a spur track could be run from the South Shore railway to the landing field to enable the shipment of supplies to the field when it has further developed. There are good roads on each side of the property.