Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-16
ROCK ISLAND MAY
secure AN ARMY
AIRPLANE PLANT
vaccinations Are Under Way for Open.
Ing Factory to Make Way for
Flying Machines.
SAYS CITY IDEALLY SITUATED
Lieutenant Cummings, Former British
Aviator, Here In Interest OF
Concern.

An aircraft plant for the manufac-
ure OF planes for the United States
army near Rock Island, doomed up
probable today.
Lieutenant Glenn Cummings. for
merly of Sheffield, H., and recently
With the Royal Flying corps of the
British army Ia France, made this
statement as a representative Of the
Hartley Aircraft company, an orgaui-
zati0u with a capital of $1,000 900,
founded boy De Bert Hartley Of Chi
cago. inventor of note and the man
who conceived the balancing prin-
ciplo iu airplanes.
Lieutenant Cummings has an ex-
hibit Of airplane models at 1907 Sec
ond avenue. 1t is understood that local
business men are considering the
proposition OF the establishment of
factory here and within the course Of
short time it will be definitely learn
ed whether or not the city will get the
plant
Lieutenant Cummings, in an inter-
view today. said
Rock Island is ideally Situated for
M a.rpIaue factory. Its transporta-
ton facilities are all that would be
needed for the plant. It has a wealth
of resources surrounding it and it mas
buildings available for the manufac-
ure of aircraft, among these being
one which no doubt would be used for
the work. if it is definitely decided to
locate here.
There is no reason In the world
why Rock Island should not have an
aircraft factory as large, il not larger,
than anywhere else in the United
States I figure that plant hare
would be able to turn out between one
hundred and two hundred planes a
year
Is Encouraged.
1.-THE government has already an
propriated S640, 100000 for the manu-
facfure Of lighting aircraft and a bill
is to be introduced for an appropria.-
ton OF $1,000 900, GOO for the manufac-
ture OF more machines II is a reeog-
Dized fact that the war will be won in
the air The United States govern
meut will send $4,000 airpisnes tc
France, It will want 100000 machines
all together.
'At the present time il hasn't enough
machines TO instruct the men in the
aviation service The demand for air.
planes is the greatest army need OF
the government at the present time
and naturally it is offering wonderful
Inducements TO private companies t.
t.rag-H Hs.. g..
planes. To concerns with sufficient
capital and expert knowledge of the
manufacture Of aircraft, there lies ex-
cepional opportunities A local bust
ness man told me the other day thai
NOT only on account Of civic pride bu'
because Of its patriotic duty, Rock Is
land should have an aircraft plant.
The machines We would make
would be identical to those made il
other factories over the county, as tn
government has standardized the arm
iype OF airplane and the machine.
would be turned out of our plant &C
cording to strict government specif
cations
IF the Hartley company comes
here, &C. viii locate ia this city as
local organization with local men OF
its board of directors and on its list o
officers. De Bert Hartley, founder o
The company, is the man who invented
the reclining chair now used on pas
sauBer coaches, the FIRST carpet sweep
er, and patents have been issued hin
20 Che United States and foreign coun
tries for numerous improvements o.
me airplaue. including the self-bal
anc,na principle Mr.. Hartley had on
Of the first automobile factories in tn