The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-05-27
THE ARREsrING OF BIoEo11srS.


 The Notable Crusade of New York Gen.
 tIeman of Wealth, Himself an Expert
 Bicyclist.
 Speaking of the arresting of bicyclists
 for riding on the sidewalks, which has
 happened in New Haven in the last
 few days, the following from the New
 York Commercial Advertiser will be of
 interest hereaboutsi
 Wealthy Thomas Dewitt of New York has abandoned his crusade
 against reckless bicycle riders. MT
 DeWitt's crusade has made him fla
 nous and accomplished wonders for the | bicyclists and all others who use the | Boulevard. The first and only state
 ment for the press which MT. Dewitt permitted on the bicycle subject he | not courting publicity he authorized l in his behalf through his counsel, MT.
 James M. Townsend, jr., formerly of | New Haven). MT. Townsend said on the subject that so many misrepresen-
 tations of MT. DeWitt's action In the case had been floating about that in justice to him the true facts should be
 
 given.
 ''Mr. Dewitt" said MT. Townsend, "is
 not engaged in any crusade against
 bicyclists. He is a rider himself, and
 has regretted for some time the injury
 to a good sport by the reckless and H. Illegal riding on the Boulevard and the danger and discomfort to the bioyclists to other vehicles and to pedestrians. Whatever he has done has been done in the interest of all sensible bicyclists and other good citizens"
 My impression IS he is now content to leave the matter in the hands of the police authorities, satisfied that now the way has been shown them, they will do their full duty in the matter. He has received the heartiest support and CO., operation of Acting Captain Gallagher of the West Sixty-eighth street police station"
 MT Dewitt did not cause the ar rest of Miss Raisbeck, concerning which so much hallabaloo has been raised. He chanced to meet an officer taking her to the station house. He at once turned back, entered the station house and requested the discharge of
 MISS IkdiSDeChg WlllCti was iNLu0th' He persisted and insisted that she hould not be put in a cell, and and was finally allowed to give bail for her, MT. Dewitt himself exc cutting the bond to expedite her re- lease. His sole object was to save her for annoyance and trouble. These | are the true facts in the case" said MT. | land reflect honor upon MT, Dewitt" and that this was the cor rect version was substantiated later by | MT. T. A. Hand, who was present at the station when Mr Dewitt bailed the | young lady out MT Hand verified MT. | DeWitt's statement in every respect.
 "What are MT. DeWitt's views, so far | as you know them, about bicycling?"
 "ITe believesfn and enjoys the sporr and | deprecates it's abuse, He thinks that at night and in the crowded streets of the city,a bicyclists should carry light ed lamps, and should ride at speed not dangerous to them, to vehicles nor to pedestrians He believes that the present limit, which is seven miles an hour,is too slow and that they should be allowed toride faster, and that therules recurring all vehicles to keep to the right side of the road should be strictly enforced. I know he feels that bicycl- ists are imposed upon by heavier ve- hicles. and that the rights of everyone, whether driving a vehicle, riding bi- cycle or walking, should be strictly pre- served under the law"
 MT. Townsend was asked: "It has been stated that for week past MT. DeWitt has gone to and from his busi- ness daily in a carriage for fear of assault by bicyclists who attribute their arrest to him. Is this true?"
 ''Of course that is nonsense. He often goes to his business in his carriage"
 "The absurdity of statements which have been made along these lines is best shown by the statement that MT. De- Witt is an athlete, more han six feet in height, and weighing about 230 pounds.
 '1Do you think it likely that MT. De- Witt will now endeavor to see that the drivers are more careful of the rights of | 
 Somebody ought to do this, but I should not think that MT. Dewitt, in | view of the abuse that has been heaped lpon him by the press and people for he meritorious work that he has &C., will care to engage in it. His has been the experience of almost .very man who has tried to do any hing from worthy motives for the pub- ic good"
 Captain F. E. Ames of the Colonial Hub Cyclers said that all sensible riders will be thankful to MT. Dewitt for what le had accomplished, and he hoped hat the police would keep up the ,ean's Rheumatic Pills absolutely cure rheu-