The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-28
War Ace Points to Great
Natural Advantages of
Indianapolis.

Pleas that Indianapolis develop
her marvellous opportunities Of ia
vorable aviation climate and geo.
graphical location to become one of
the worlds most important aviation
centers echoed in the ears of civic,
business and professional leaders TO-
day.
The pleas we're delivered with all
the characteristic force at the COM
mand of Captain Eddie Y. Ricken-
hacker, Americas World war ace, at
the dinner sponsored by the Young
Men of Indianapolis to open the In
dianapolis aircraft show at state
Playground Monday evening.
Attendance and enthusiasm over
the industrial progress of the city
within the last few months and
prospects for the near future ex-
ceeded the most optimistic predic-
tons.
Sees Railway as Obsolete
Rickenbacker drew an eloquent
word picture of startling air devel-
opments of the future, making the
prediction that all passengers, mail,
parcel post, express and light freight
would be carried by plane within
fifteen years, making railroad trains
as obsolete as the stage coach.
More than 900 persons attended
the banquet and heard short adj
dresses by other speakers, including
Governor Harry G. Leslie, Mayor l..
Ert Slack, Paul @. Richey, Chamber
of Commerce president and G. L.
Harrod, chamber industrial COM
missioner.
Superior Judge Byron K. Elliott
presided and introduced E. E
Whitehill Jr.. president of Young
Men of Indianapolis.
Steven flanagan, Speedway pub
lefty director, introduced aviation
and movie celebrities who were spe-
cial guests.
Harrod introduced representatives
of a large number Of new local in
dustries.
Giants Today Kites in Future
"Giants Of the air today, the tri-
motored Fords and twenty-five
passenger Patricians, will be mere
kites in the future" Rickenbackel
declared.
To-day they are building in Fried
erichshafen, Germany a huge
transatlantic plane 176 feet long
carrying 100 passengers behind
twelve 500-horse power motors
This, too, will BE- small in few
years.
"An air speed of 100 miles an houl
within a few years will be az
obsolete as a f1ve-year-old car.
Eleven years ago, on the west
ern front of the World war, flew
the fastest plane known, a single
scatter Spad of 220-horse power anc
a maximum speed of 125 miles an
hour.
"A year ago the Italians few q
Scout plane $50 miles an hour, aver
aging 319 miles an hour two days
Nov the United States and other
countries are sending to England
to race for the Schneider trophy
planes which will fly $50 to 40C
miles an hour.
Transportation and connunica-
ton are life itself. AS transporta-
ton improves, communication must
be improved. The other day 1 wired
ahead from Cleveland to Detroit tC
have a car meet my plane. 1 beat
the telegram there.
mo Mans Land" to Vanish
In the next war there will bt
No Mans Land. Every housetor
will be a battlefield; there will be
no noncambatants, for every man
woman and child will be involved"
Success of the air show was as
sured by the large crowd which at
tended the opening, despite the
heavy doWnpour of rain and electri.
cal storm throughout the evening.
The huge exposition hall was beau.
tifully decorated, and more thar
thirty planes and fifty exhibits o.
accessories are on display.
A parachute jump by Frank Coo.
per and an exhibition of stunts BY
Freddie Lund, Waco test pilot, were
-. H. $50