Smith rips United Airline paltry minority contract

Smith rips United Airline paltry minority contract

An irate Ald. Ed H. Smith (28th) Monday told United Airline officials they have to do more than give minorities $90 million in contracts if they want to continue doing business with Chicago, or the aldermen will "just go fishing."

"That's peanuts, $90 million. I fly United every chance I can, but giving minorities $90 million is peanuts," Smith said after attending a Finance Committee meeting chaired by Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th).

Smith objected to United's "bringing in a Black attorney" to try and clean up their image of contract fairness. "It won't work," said Smith. "They just went out and grabbed him."

"We …