The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-07-22
ACT TO Bring
Big A|RPLANE
PLANTS HERE
Chamber of Commerce
Points Out City's Advan-
tageS to Manufacturers.
NEGOTIATING WITH FIVE
indianapolis Already Has
Large Number Of Parts
Factories.

An effort to bring aircraft indus
tries to Indianapolis is being MADE
by the Chamber of Commerce in
dustrial commission, Clifford l..
Harrod, industrial commissioner,
said today.
1--WE have negotiated with five
large concerns and have some as
surance of success. I believe that
Indianapolis is Ideally located 70
become the center of the aviation
industry and we have an extensive
program looking to that end" Har-
rod said.
Harrod is preparing a bulletin OF
information bearing on the aviation
field which will be ready for distri-
button among manufacturers with
in ten days. The leaflet will contain
results of a careful survey OF the
city's facilities and possibilities from
a manufacturer standpoint, Har-
rod said.
Many Advantages
indianapolis has good flying
weather, adequate raw material sup
ply, low freight rates, excellent labor
conditions, and transportation facil-
tiles.
With such advantages there is no
reason Indianapolis should not be-
come one of the largest airplane
manufacturing centers of the United
States in the opinion of Harrod.
Already several local industries
have made airplane products. The
Allison Manufacturing Co., Speed
way City, of which James A. Allison,
president of indianapolis Motor
Speedway, is president, makes
number Of airship products.
The Allison plant specializes in
super chargers, reduction gears,
special bearings and remodeling and
redesigning of engines. The most OF
the output goes into the Army and
Navy aircraft, according to Luther
M. Langston, secretary.
Expansion Planned
It IS likely that their plant will be
expanded in the near future as the
aviation program is enlarged. The
plant employs 10 persons and had
an output last year Of about 100000,
most of which was Government
work.
Chief Engineer and General Man
ager Norman H. Gilman are largely
responsible for the high class work
under government contract. Some
work has been done for companies
having air mail contracts, Langston
said.
Motors used in ships on the South
American good will" flight were OF
the upside down type%and built at
the Allison plant.
Made Lindy's Compass
The permanent magnet in the
earth inductor compass used on Col.
Charles A. Lindbergh's Spirit of st.
Louis" was manufactured by the
Thomas and Skinner Steel Products
Company, 1920 E. Twenty-third st.,
according to President j. r. Thomas.
The local company's output is sold
to the Jewell Electrical Instrument
Company which makes the Jewel
galvanometer.
George II. Bryant, Central Air
ways, Inc, representative was in
Chicago today comforting with Col.
Paul Henderson, National Air
Transport Co., president, collecting
data on operation costs and methods
to be used in determining the extent
of the local commercial service. He
was TO visit two airship factories.
Gets Demonstrate"
Capt. Nelson Kelly, Marmon Mo-
tor Car Company pilot, will leave
Saturday for Troy, Ohio, to get
three-passenger ship for demonstra-
ton and instruction.
Captain Kelly associated with
Rollin H. Stewart, in the Indiana
Waco agency, is the first to bring a
"demonstrator" to the city. Kelly
said he had several prospects" in
Indianapolis and other Indiana
cities.
Individuals are expected to buy
private pleasure ships as soon as
flying instruction is available.