World War I 100 Years Ago: March 3-9

From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, March 6: James A. Allison, Indianapolis Motor Speedway secretary-treasurer, announced yesterday that if the United States declared war on Germany, the May 30 annual racing classic would be cancelled. Allison believed everybody should stand ready to back the United States, and that everything possible should be done to conserve the rubber, steel, and other materials used in racing. “I do not want to be engaged in a sport that, if conducted all over the country, would consume materials this country could use. Furthermore, sports has no place in the minds of Americans when their country needs their help,” he said. The skilled mechanics and race drivers employed at his racing shop have agreed with him that their place, in the event of war, is backing Uncle Sam and not racing cars for wealth and glory.