Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1917 — AUTOMOBILE RACE CALLED OFF [ARTICLE]

AUTOMOBILE RACE CALLED OFF

Memorial Day Classic Cancelled Because of Threatening War. The annual 500 j mile automobile race, scheduled for the Indianapolis motor speedway on Memorial day, was declared off Friday by James A. Allison, because of threatening war conditions. “Racing means taking away from the government the service of skilled mechanics, whose service can be used by the government to better advantage in time of war than by a speedway campaign as means of entertainment,” said Mr. Allison. “Furthermore, many materials and accestsories used in racing will become absolute necessities in times of conflict.” Mr. Allison also announced that the plant constructed at Indianapolis for the manufacture of racing cars would be turned over to the government for manufacturing aeroplane mptors. Several foreign and . American cars had already been entered for the 1917 race. '