The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-06-03
THEY ARE AFTER DOUG.
whelimen I, Meet In Mass Convention I
Protest Against Taxing BICYCLES.

Protest Against Taxing BcycieS.
a big mass meeting of bicyclists, or
wheeimeu, is called for next Tuesday
nicet at Shaw's music store TO protest
against the action of Dong Caldwell in
assessing bicycles for taxation. Special
efforts are being made to get every wheel
man IN the city out, for the bigger the
meeting will be the more force the protest
will have,
In making the protest the following
general reasons, which are already in type,
will be given besides many special reasons
which are expected to be offered at the
meeting:
Bicycles are NEARLY machines by means
of which muscular power can be used IN
locomotion to better advantage than III
walking and persons using their muscles
in this way are as the word velocipede ex-
presses, swift footed.
Mechanicians estimate that six miles
can be ridden on a bicycle with no greater
expenditure OF power than IS required IN
walking QUE mile The real value OF the
invention is SO great that IL Is not strange
that at first glance it should be thought 10
be "A subject for taxation, yet 1t should be
remembered that to the great number OF
riders it is a necessity as well as Il luxury
as a means Of transportation
This can be easily proved if person will
take the trouble to observe how many
mechanics clerks, and others go TO their
work on wheels This IS particularly
noticeable in manufacturing cities and
towns, where large numbers OF men ride
OF bicycles to their places OF business.
The bicycle is helping to solve the tene-
ment-house problem, as 1t enables
the workman to live in the su-
burbs where he has some Of the
advantages of country life and yet he can
ride 90 his work IN the city tax on
BICYCLES would be d burden placed directly
upon thousands of the better class OF me
chanics to whom the machine has become
"A necessity-as much 50 as their tools or
household effects which are exempt from
taxation.
If the bicycle, which increases the
amount of work that may be performed
by the body, Is il fit object to he specially
taxed then every other machine device or
tool which increases the amount OF WORK
that may be performed by muscular eHort
is fit subject tor taxation.
In the minds Of some persons, and PROB
ably in the minds OF the assessors,
bicycle is a bicycle. whether 1t be poorly
constructed, unsafe machine, The value
of which does not exceed $40. or whether
it be one of the most perfect make with
pneumatic tires, the value OF these tires
alone being greater imam LIE "hoAe hia
chine OF another make.
On what principle of equality therefore.
could the average assessor determlue the
taxable value of bicycles? 1t would be
necessary for him to take board OF eX-
perts along with him to eXamIhe every
machine, if il were to be taxed at Its true
valuation, the same as other property IS,
in theory, taxed. 1t surely would be most
fivaH a
every bicycle whether it be worth $40 or
$50.
The better way for the assessors to spend
their time would be in searching out the
ownership of the stocks bonds. ana other
personal property OF the rich, rather IMAM
to spend their time harrasslnS the poor
man who possesses bicycle as means OF
locomotion from his home to his work
shop.
1t should be remembered that mt the
present time the question of the better
meut of the highways Is Il paramount
subject of discussion throughout the
country, and anything that tends TO I'M
prove the roads is considered my OF
special communication. The bicycles as
well as the bicycle riders have done much
to promote the cause of better roads; the
BICYCLES because the wheels improve the
roads, and the riders because they are
road inspectors andSworkers for road I'M
provement. Therefore, Instead OF these
useful machines being subject OF taxa
tiou, it would seem that it would be more
equitable to pay bounty 10 their owners
because OF the good work they are doing
in the betterment of the highways.
Doug Caldwell was seen by an EAGLE
reporter concerning the matter and IN
formation Of the contemplated mass meet
ing for protest did not seem to disturb his
serenity of temper.
You bet" said he, 81 lave assessed
them and don't see why they will not
have to put up for the privilege of owning
them. \ mans horse and buggy are
taxed: so is a mans watch and IA young
lady's typewriter. a bicycle is personal
property with money value and there
would be no excuse for failing to assess
them for taxation. Wouldn't it be a
pretty sample of justice to exempt bank
clerk from taxation on his $3.50 bicycle
and to impose IA tax on a poor fellow work
ing for days wages for owning a little
span of ponies ami a wagon not worth
half as much? Then, again, if bicycles
are exempted from taxation you can easily
see the injustice of making IA poor mer-
chant pay taxes on q little stock of candy
while another dealer could 60 scot free
from the tax gatherer with a 8, 900 stock
of bicycles in his store; and if one bicycle
is exempted there is no reason why 100
can't be exempted. The alleged protest is
too thin and will not affect me in the
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