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C. of C. Directors Approve Opolis-Asbury Air Base PlanApproval of a project seeking a federal air training' base between Opolis and Asbury was given by directors of the Chamber of Commerce in a special meeting today.The action followed a conference at Pittsburg yesterday between directors of the Pittsburg chamber and the aviation committee of the Joplin C. of C.The Joplin group approved a telegram which will be sent today to the war department by the Joplin and Pittsburg chambers setting out the advantages and practicability of establishing the avia-, tion training base in this district. Other eommunties of the district also will be invited to sign the telegram.Prank Giltner, chairman of the Joplin aviation committee, said that plans advanced by the Pittsburg chamber call for preparation of a brief to be sent to the war department, and the two cities probably will share expenses of one or two representatives to fly to Washington within a few days.Site of the proposed base is a level expanse of land between Opolis and Asbury. Giltner said the Pittsburg committee members reported 4,000 acres available with a minimum of obstructions, and with less than 15 feet difference in elevation throughout the site,Ralph Nolan, who accompanied the committee members, Giltner and Vern E. Thompson, to Pittsburg, said the Opolis-Asbury land would be particularly suitable for a primary base in which pilots receive 75 to 100 hours’ training.He said that extensive runways would not be needed, but that a site providing several separatelanding fields probably would be the principal requirement.Nolan also recommended that the brief be personally presented to the war department by a representative of the sponsors, pointing out that cities and communities all over the country are seeking similar projects. He said there is little chance of obtaining a factory here because of the lack of skilled laborers.Reginald K. Barrett, of the industrial development department of the Empire District Electric Company, went to Pittsburg this morning to assist in preparing a brief.Advantages of the site, such as its location on both Frisco and Kansas City Southern railroads and proximity to construction materials and dynamite factories, will be described.Barrett said members of the Pittsburg committee reported that the land could be leased for such a project without difficulty.The telegram, which wi be sent by the joint chambers to the war department today:“A completely equipped airport and pilot training base covering several thousand acres can be constructed ready for operation within 30 days on a location between Opolis, Kansas, and Asbury, Missouri. Terrain ideal with minimum obstructions. Location served by rail lines and highways. All structural material necessary can be placed on location within 12 to 24 hours because of nearness to major source of supply. Ample skilled craftsmen and surplus of common labor available from a densely populated Tri-State area. This location offers greatest opportunities for speedy construction and establishment of new base for pilot training.”acre G soil no lt;que wer aim wer fire T offs aloi bon win habClPe:tibnSiPrCatlt;tiAviiPnnooCvPduaarr
Newspaper Details
Joplin News Herald
Joplin, Missouri, US
Wed, May 22, 1940
Page 1
Full Page
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MO, USA 14 Aug 2023
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