The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-06-21
AIRPORT MOVE
IS SPURRED BY
CIVIC LEADERS
Business and Industry
Heads Get Behind Avia-
ton Campaign.

ton Campaign.
An adequate program for max
ing Indianapolis key city in devel-
opment of commercial aviation in
the United State was considered
today by a group of business and
civic leaders.
Business leaders, Indianapolis
Airport Corporation representatives,
and Chamber of Commerce officials
discussed means of putting the
Hoosier capital to tn efront in aero
nautics at a luncheon Monday at
the Chamber of Commerce.
Interest in aeronautics has been
spurred in Indianapolis as result
of the nationwide enthusiasm
reused by the trans-oceanic fight
of Col. Charles A. Lindbergh.
Heads of several industries, banks
and business houses have indicated
they would support move to de-
velop commercial aviation in 1ndi-
annapolis.
Propose to Boost Flying
Paul @. Richey, Rusel M. Seeds
Advertising agency president, said
the conferees discussed proposals
for furthering interest in the local
airport and possible stimulation of
commercial flying. o. B. Isles,
Chamber aeronautics committee
chairman, presided.
n G. H. Rottger, Indiana Bell Tele-
phone Company president; Frank
E. Gates, realtor; Scott R. Brewer,
State Savings and Trust Company
president; Nicholas H. NoyeS, OF Eli
Lilly & Co.; Paul H. Moore,
Indianapolis Airport Corporation
secretary; Clifford l.. Harrod, Cham
Der manager, and Dick Miller, Cham
Der president, attended.
Moore, Chamber delegate to the
recent national aviation conference
at st. Louis, Mo, visited Kansas
City and st. Louis, studying airport
needs.
The national conference, attended
by the country's business leaders,
developed in the conclusion that an
airport in every city and public sup
port are the outstanding needs for
development of a greater flying pro-
gram, Moore said
Need More Backers
Support of reliable business men,
willing to financially back the pro-
iect is needed. Many expressed the
view that aviation now is backed
onlv by flying enthusiasts" said
Moore.
The public will give its support
to commercial aviation as soon as
reliable service is established, Moore
believes. At Kansas City the city
manager expects to approve ST.
100000 bond issue for a municipal
airport in a few day, Moore said.
Hugh Lewis, Denver banker, was
elected head of the national asSo-
citation, which will meet annually
for the next two years at st. Joseph.
INDIANAPOLIS will be represented.
=. Other officers elected because OF
heir interest in air lines are:
WCharles H. Wagner, South Bend,
Standard Oil Company of Indiana
official; R. r. Clarke, st. Joseph,
Mo, Aunt Jemima Pancake Com
pany president, and Rodman Wanna
maker, New York capitalist, vice.
presidents; M. A. Cox, st. Joseph
Chamber assistant manager, secre-
tary-treaSurer.
See Action Here
Belief that indianapolis will be
placed on an air mail route within
a few months, when demand in
creases. was expressed. Moore has
conferred recently with William P.
McCrackin, United State Depart
ment Of Commerce, assistant secre-
tary of aeronautics, who has charge
of commercial aviation, relative to
the proposed air development in In
dianapolis.
Moore said the Indianapolis Air
port at Mars Hill, subleased to the
18th Observation Squadron, is one
of the best located landing fields III
four and one-half miles from the
city, while the st. Louis field is fiji
teen miles out.
The airport here may be reached
by driving west on Washington st.
to Holt Road and south to the field.
Moore cited the fact that Chicago
has four municipal airportS as EVIL
dence of enthusiasm in other cities.
Opposition to municipal airports
has been registered in several cltleS
because politicians, rather than
uaulif1ed experts, have been en-
powered to direct activities. Two
men with considerable experience
successlly are directing the ST.
Joseph municipal field.
BeacOns, Markings Suggested
~ Markings on public buildings and
light beacons to guide night filters
are suggestions to improve local con-
ditions. The Central Indiana Pow
err Company has agreed TO lower
from go to 80 feet the high tension
lines on the west side of the field,
greatly decreasing the hazard
A move is under way to improve
Holt Road west from the National
Road to the MartinSville Road to
facilitate motor traffic. Negotia-
tions have been held with Marion
County commissioner and the Penn
sylvania railroad to fill IN ditch,
which will enable pilots to utilize
the 234 acres of the ground. At
present only 1870 acres are available.
The field is leased for ten years.
1t has been predicated that pri-
vate pleasure ships will be in use
here within few months, with the
increasing public confidence in aero
nautics as a result of recent oceanic
feats. Numerous private ships are
used in easter cities.
The late Linton A. Cox, Jr., World
War ace who flew with Eddie Rick
enbacker, famous wartime pilot,