Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-06
ATHLETES IN AERO CORPS
CHAMPIONS OF MANY SPORTS
ANSWER SUMMONS TO WAR
Sturdicst Representatives Of Country
on Field md Wntrr Ia Begin Train
ing In terOnautirS NJ Once.

NEW YORK. May 5-Champions on
track and field, bicyciists and scullers
have responded to the first call of the
Auto-Aero Corporation Company to
enlist as aviators. The officers OF the
corporation have purchased property
at New Canaan. Conn, and somewhere
in Long Island" on the grounds Of
which the men can receive Instructions
Headquarters OF the corporation are at
loo Nassau street. this city
EDDIE GOODWIN, premier amateur cy-
ciiSt OF America. has been appointed
manager OF the athletes aviation corps.
During the present week he will ma k e
his first Night with Ruth Law from
New Canaan to Baltimore Among the
most prominent athletes who have en-
iisied are included !'rank r. Kciser.
the walker: Ted Meredith. world cham
pion middle distance runner. Joe iiE-
gins. one OF the best quarter milcrs in
America: Al Lake. Goodwin's rival on
/ the board floor: Clarence Carmen. pro-
Iessional bike rider and oarsman: Tom
phia. and William. J. Hickey.
;, roodwin is scouting for more men.
~. IT, intends to make house-to house
securing the services OF some of Tho
best known athletes cXtant.
We are making great progress with
our, plans 70 give Uncle Sam "a cracker
jack aviation corps" declared little
Goodwin to-day. "Every athlete should
respond 10 tho call. You would be sur
lows who want 10 join but canno, be-
cause we wan; the men in tho public q
eye TO donate their services first.
Meredith to .Iuin Corps.
Ted Meredith promised me at the
Smart Set y. g. games. two weeks ago.
that he would join my corps He is
enthusiastic about the thing. lie wants
TO ny and he doesn't care when and
! how far. Al Lake says he's going to
give me few lessons on aviation. The
9arsmen are responding CALAMITY. we
have Hickey, Tom Rooney and Kelly on
! the job right now"
The, officers OF the corporation are:
Joseph Billingheimcr. president; George
l.. Pray. vice president and genera |
manager: Clark V. Hilc. secretary
treasurer: Leon g Tookcr. field man
aser. and Joseph e. Pray, construction
engineer.
The corporation is DESTROYS Of cult
waiting and developing the public trend
OF opinion on aeronautics. There are in
excess OF 40 aviation schools in Eng
land. and approximately 10000 avia-
tors in Germany, and in the royal corps
abroad there are more than 100. 900 men
employed in aviation, and the organi-
cation is using IT'S power to fit many
willing athletes who are eager to nv
for Uncle Sam
BilinGheimcr says that Uncle Sans
aviation corps should be limited to ath-
letes. due 70 the physical and mental
requirements. as the necessary oualif-
cations, such as endurance nerve and
agility. are rarely lacking i'm the men
who are athlctically inclined, and while
college education does not unfit men
10 be 'aviators. many of the pioneers i'm
the business have had no college edu-
cation; and in this world war, and be-
cause Of the fact that we are sadly
in need of aviators and airplanes. it
seems unusual to be compelled to elm
mate willing participants who are
eager TO ny because of the fact that
they have no college education