Salt Lake Tribune | 1917-03-25 | Page 1 | Auto Drivers will Become Aviators

THOMAS E. BROWNING, chief of police of Ogden, who has been indicted by a grand jury. Pf? $ U rJ ry . . V V v r i AUTO DHIVEBS WILL BECDMEJVIATDRS Some of the Most Noted Racers in Country Respond Re-spond to Invitation. DETROIT, March 24. Information was received here today from Los Angeles that De Lloyd Thompson, a well-known aviator, aviat-or, today telegraphed to eleven famous American automobile drivers Inviting them to become members of an aviation unit to serve the government In case of war. The proposed unit would be known as "the aerial sharpshooters." The racers whom Thompson has invited are Barney Oldfield, Dario Resta, Ralph de Falma, Eddie Rlckenbacher, Johnny Aitken, Howard Wilcox, Earl Cooper, Eddie Ed-die Pullen, Wilbur d'Alene, Thomas Milton Mil-ton and Eddie O'Donnell. All of these men, it is understood, have made flights with Thompson. LOS ANGELES, March 24. Five of fifteen fif-teen automobile racing drivers invited by De Lloyd Thompson, well-known aviator, to join a proposed military unit to be known as "the aerial sharpshooters," and to serve the government in case of war, have accepted, according to a statement made here tonight by Thompson. "Eddie Rickenbacher, Earl Cooper, Joe Thomas, George Hill and Eddie Pullen have told me they would join the proposed a via tf on corps," Thompson said. "Most of the drivers I have invited to join have made flights with mo and are fearless and capable mechanicians." Thompson, who is at present confined in a hospital with a slight Infection in his leg, which was broken several months ago In an accident, said he w'uld probably prob-ably go to Washington next week to consult con-sult government officials regarding the project.