The Detroit Tribune

Great Chicago area, so that colored student pilots could be systematically and thoroughly trained for service in the U. S. Army Air corps.

The meeting was sponsored by the Brotherhood Chauffeurs club. Johnny Patricks, president, and Jeff Davis, business agent. Co-operating agencies were the Southside Safety commission and the National Airmen's association, of which Cornelius R. Coffey, licensed commercial transport pilot, is the president. Twenty-two members of the airmen's group have been named on a committee to push plans for the Chicago air training center, a prominent committee member being Dr. Earl Renfro, who shares with Coffey the distinction of being the only licensed commercial transport pilots in Chicago.

The resolution urging that Chicago be selected as a training center was introduced by Edgar G. Brown, Washington, D. C. president United Government Employes, who was instrumental in having a

provision for the training of Negro aviators inserted in the Congressional bill which authorized broadening of the national defense program as requested by President Roosevelt, and which now awaits his signature.

Brown explained how the training center would enable colored student flyers to be instructed in ground work and flying, give them the advantage of learning all phases of army plane construction and operation. He said formal petition for establishment of the Chicago training school should be made to President Roosevelt, the U. S. War department and the Civil Aeronautics authority, the last named body being empowered to select the 14 planned air training sites in various sections of the country.

Mayor Kelly said he favored the plan and would present the proposition to President Roosevelt, but insisted the training school be interracial so colored students could be assured the same advantages and facilities as whites. The ap-