World War I 100 Years Ago: June 10-16

From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, June 15, 1916: Carl G. Fisher, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president, has offered the use of the raceway grounds for a training camp for prospective government aviators as a part of the Indiana general preparedness program. In a letter to Howard I. Coffin, chairman of the United States naval consulting board, Fisher stated that the Speedway could be a training site for aeroplane pilots free of all expense to the government, and that the Speedway equipment can be used for whatever purpose the government might see fit. Harry E. Barnard, chairman of the Indiana branch of the naval consulting board, has sent letters to manufacturers across the state to obtain data relative to the ability of Indiana manufacturers to be ready to manufacture supplies for the government in the event military operations should become necessary.