The morning call., 1895-02-19
WHEELMEN IN CONVENTION
THEY DECIDE NOT TO DRAW THE
COLOR LINE JUST AT
PRESENT.
REPORTS SHOW MARKED DECREASE
IN LOCAL LEAGUES DURING
THE YEAR.

New YORK, Feb. 1S.-The annual con-
vention of the League of American Wheel
men began this morning at the Grand
Union Hotel in this city with an attend
ance of bicycle enthusiasts from all the
States from Maine to California. The
primary object of the convention is to dis
cuss several important changes in the laws
of the league and the selection of a place
for the next annual meet. 1t is probable
that the question whether or not the color
line will be drawn in the league will come
up during the present session, and there is
also likely to be some fight as to where the
next annual meeting of the league will be
held. There are two parties, from Boston
and Asbury Park, and both maintain
that it would be best for the league to hold
its meet on their respective tracks. The
Bostonians contend that their Waltham
track is the best in the world, with better
accommodations than any other track in
the country, and the Ashbury Park people
say that the track there is just as good and
much easier of access.
President Luscombe presented his an
nual report in which he advised the hold
ing of two conventions yearly, one in the
fall and the other in the early spring, one
in the East and the other in the West, as
a convenience to the league members living
at the extremes of the country.
The report of the secretary shows that
the membership of the L. A. w. has de-
creased from PSI local leagues to $50.
There are 600 lady members of the league,
the greater number being in Massachusetts,,
$50. The treasurer's report showed $943 in
the treasury and outstanding debts amount
ing to $3.50.
Delegate Mott of Maryland of the trans
portation committee read report relative
to the transportation of wheels by railroads.
and in speaking of their loss by theft ad-
vocated the establishment of an officer
whose duties should be to notify all
baggage masters on the various roads and
also the repair shops to look out for stolen
bicycles, and offering a reward for recovery.
He estimated the annual cost of such an
Office to be about $500.
Delegate Howard Raymond of the racing
board submitted his report. He said that
$50 in class had been declared this sea-
son. There were 232 suspended during the
season for various offenses, and 1908
race meets were sanctioned during the
year. He suggested that meetings shall
be held between the months of May and
September. He also recommended that no
intermediate records be allowed that a
rider must go for each distance record sep
arately. He also recommended that the
alliance between the Canadian League and
the l.. A. w. be continued and also that
between the A. A. U. and L. a. W., and
also the retention of membership in the
International League. He advocated the
assessment of league clubs fer sanctions
for meets as follows: National meets $40
and other meets SIS. He recommended the
appointment of official referees for the ma
tional circuits and to take time limit for
trial heats.
The annual election of officers resulted
as follows: President, A. c. Wilson of
Maryland; first vice-president, George A.
Perkins of Massachusetts,; second vice
president, A. G. Morrison of Milwaukee;
treasurer, A. E. Mergenthaler of Ohio;
auditing committee. f. Adams of Mas
sachusetts, John Vah Mort of Pennsylvania
and George D. Prout of Pennsylvania
Under the new order of business the
meeting question was taken up, and the
debate was limited to forty-five minutes.
The vote resulted: Boston 63, Asbury
Park 81.
This matter being disposed of. Delegate
Jacquitch, who had moved to strike out
the word white" from article 8, section |.
of the constitution, Withdrew his motion
and the color question, which was ex-
pected to cause some bitter discussion, was
left to the future.