Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1895-10-10

M :; !; ): i: 4
| N thC iC Nulioi, US
~ W h en- electr C
tract ion s n
stalled. says the New York World
The scheme originated in the fertile
brain of Frank w. Hawley. promoter
OF the many Niagara electric compa-
MES, soon after he caught the bicycle
mania in its most intense form. Mr..
Hawley has country place at Pitts
FORD through which the canal runs. He
found the tow-path an excellent place
ON which to ride, barring a few I'M
expected dives into the water while
learning. The Cataract General Flee
trio company, for which he obtained
the exclusive right to operate electric
traction on the canal. intends to have
Its wires up soon and the path will be
little used then. The rising genera
ton are on Wheels said Mr. Hawley
at the Lawyers club, and so are a
good many of the present one. Now,
| there is the old tow-path. 1t isn't 60
ing to be of much use in it's present con-
dition. and it would. make the finest
stretch of road in the country for BIZ
cycling. Besides, nothing would ulti-
mately prove of greater benefit to the
states waterways than to permit the
construction Of cycle paths over every
road Of canal lands People opposed to
the Improvement Of our canal are large
~ residents of sections removed from
Its line, and little conversant with it's
needs or commercial value. The bicy-
Gle path would make them acquainted
with the interior waterways.
The first thing necessary is to Sc
cure the permission Of the superin-
tendent of public works for the i'm
provement Then the many bicycle as
sociations of the state should unite to
raise funds and build the path. It's
construction need not be costly, as the
present tow-path is in excellent shape.
To start the financial part of the pro-
gramme | will subscribe 81. and l am
sure there are number of other men
in the state who will do the same.
Such a path" continued Mr.. Haw-
ley. would tend directly to the i'm
provement of roads throughout the
state. 1t would be the entering wedge
towards the construction of public
highways worthy of New York. Along
the line of all main roads and those
hereafter built cycle paths should be
constructed. l do not urge this as a
favor, but as a right.
Our thousands of wheelmen, increas-
ing every day in numbers, are entitled
to it, not as mere convenience, but as
necessity. Already the bicycles out
number carriages on country roads.
The silent steed is here to stay, and be-
ing Endorsed by so large a proportion
of the population, it's needs must be de-
ferred to and it's wants respected"
The construction of the canal path
would form fine road for bicycles from
New York to Buffalo, 44O miles long.
Starting from this city, the Boulevard
leads to old Kingsbridge road, and then
the Hudson river is followed all the way
to Albany. This old stage-coach line,
opened in 1860. has been placed in fine
condition as far as Poughkeepsie by the
many wealthy New Workers. who have
built magnificent country places along
1t. The bed Is solid macadam, and in
many places the steep grades have been
cut down.
From Poughkeepsie to Albany a BIZ
cycle path Is to be constructed John
Jacob Astor. although himself not
rider, has become interested in the
plan, and headed the subscription list,
followed by Governor Morton, Dumont
Clarke. the estate of w. B. Dinsmore
and many other residents salong the
Hudson. Principally by private sub
scription that part of the road will be
placed in fine condition for bicycle rid
ing.
From Tonawanda. on the outskirts of
Buffalo, to Niagara Falls one of the
finest paths in the country has already
been constructed. The canal ends at
Tonawanda. and tow-path riders could
continue on to Niagara Falls, thus max
ing one of the finest trips in the world