St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-11-18
WHEELMEN OBJECTED
To an Ordinance Requiring Every
Wheel to Garry q
Light.
Territory in Which Sidewalk Rid
ing Is Prohib-
tied.

The Joint council committee OIL Bicycles
met yesterday afternoon and decided
on the form of an ordinance regulating
the riding of wheels in the city. There
was before the committee the draft OF
an ordinance which was framed in &C
cordance with the desires of the wheel
men. The draft provides that wheel
men shall not ride on any sidewalk
along paved streets, nor upon the foot
paths of any bridge, nor upon the walks
bounded by the following districts,
whether or not the streets are
paved: Beginning at the river on
Eagle street; thence north on that
street to Third on Third to Summit av-
enue, on Summit to Rice, on Rice to
University avenue, OIL that to Grove. on
Grove to East Seventh, on Seventh to
Maple, thence to Plum street, thence to
the river. Beginning at the river OH
South Robert street. thence on that
street to State, Isabel and Concord
streets, and on Concord to South Wa
basha, and on that street to the river.
In addition to the bounded districts, the
draft prohibits riding on the following
walks: On University avenue. from
Dale to Lexington avenue, on the north
side of st. Anthony avenue as far out
as Dale street. on the north side of the
same avenue from Prior avenue to the
Milwaukee short line, on Hastings ave-
nue. from Bates to Earl street.
Those present of the committee were
Assemblyman johnson and AID. Jen-
sen and Montgomery. Aid. Hickman.
though not member of the committee,
was also present. OF the wheelmen
there were present DR.. B. G. Cornwell,
L. r. Bird, T. l.. Hoxsie and A. G. An
derson, cashier of the ST Paul National
bank Among the various provisions
of the draft were those requiring the
Wheemen to have attached to their
wheels bells or whistles, which they
must use when approaching people or
teams; the wheels must carry lights at
night time when they are running upon
walks; a wheelman must use his whistle
or bell when within fifty feet OF person
or team: and wherever they run upon
the walks they must not run at speed
to exceed six miles an hour.
1t was suggested by Mr.. Johnson that
the wheels should carry lights at night
in all parts of the city, whether running
on the walks or streets. Mr.. Anderson
agreed with him, but Mr.. HoXsle OBJ
| iected to such provision, saying that
| it would be as reasonable to require all
vehicles to be provided with headlights
| at night. Mr.. Anderson said the cases
were not parallel. Wheels made no
noise while running, while buggieS
make sufficient noise to be heard; sleigh
teams are provided with bells for the
| reason that the sleighS make little or no
noise. Messrs. HoxSie, Bird and DR..
| CornweIl all raised a vigorous protest.
making the strange assertion that
Wheelmen are always on the lookout for
! teams. Mr.. Anderson stated that very
recently he was driving with a spirited
| horse in tie Midway district after night,
| and was met bya wheelman he had not
| heard or seen just as it colllded with
| his animal. He came very near
| having a serious runaway; and having
| his wife and children with him it would
| have been serious matter. 1t was
| suggested that all wheelmen were not
as careful and watchful as those pres
| ent at the meeting, hence it was neceS-
| sary to make legal restrictions; were all
| wheelmen as cautious as they should be
| there would be little need OF an ordi-
nance. Mr.. Anderson said that in
| Washington, D. c., all wheelmen are
| required TO carry headlights at night in
| all parts of the city. Mr.. Hoxsie said
| that the majority of the wheelmen
would raise vigorous protest to such
| provision, and were it inserted they
| would more than likely secure the de-
feat of the whole ordinance. At length
| the committee decided TO report for
| passage the ordinance without the pro-
| vision, and leave that matter for future
consideration