Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-28
TO ORGANIZE UNION
HI )n
Movement Started Among Local
Wheelmen.
SGME OF THE pRJECTS AIMED At
II IE
The Proper Control Of Road Racing
Desidefatum.
n Is
CURRENT CYCLIN NE VS.

There is a good-sized movement on foot
to form a union of the local wheelmen, if
respective of clubs, for the general good
and advancement of cycling interests. The
membership of this union will be drawn on
the color line, and most likely the ladies
will be admitted on an equal footing with
their male friends. The wheelmen Of the
city are strongly in need of such an
ganizatfon. In union there is strength and
all wheelmen readily see the wisdom of
this simple statement and If for mutual
self-protection any class of people had rea-
son to band together the cyclists certainly
stand away up in the list.
The movement has not yet been launched.
Ihose projecting the matter are putting on
the final touches to the preparations for its
PRONUNCIATION. Several unattached and we'll
known riders are behind the thing, and
they have received plenty of support in
their scheme. Summarized, the new union
will be far more to the riders of the Dis
trict of Columbia than the League of
American Wheelmen has been to the whole
country. AS contemplated, the union will
be composed of all riders in the District,
irrespective of club membership. Meetings
will be held annually. at which an election
of officers and board of trustees will be
had, every member to have vote in the
meeting Dues win be only nominal,
amounting to about fifty cents year,
probably less, but no more. The only ex-
pense will be for postage and printing, the
ofhcers working gratuitously.
To Control Road Races.
With the officers lie the management of
all things. A board of trustees or govern
ors can be elected, and their work specifi-
cally mapped out for them. For instance,
the union would control road racing around
the District. and would insist upon fairness
in all events of the kind, foul riding to be
ehn1 hrr Lo ,f lra,-st
for an indefinite period, barring him from
entering similar events on the road. This
heard would also have charge of the GEN.
fury riding. ard have one or two runs of
this kind in season run on the success
full plan of the Maryland Century Club of
Baltimore, which makes an annual pill
grimage to Frederick, carrying the last
time a crowd of ninety-siX riders of both
sexes.
The union could also have published
pretty accurate road book of the rides of
the surrounding country, describing the
roads ard giving valuable information in
such a publication. At each place a GER
tain hotel or farm house will be selected
for meals, and by patronizing such places
most likely a reduction in the price of the
meals can be secured. If no reduction can
be secured better meal service can be
had by selecting a single place in each
village for patronage. 7
Entertainments.
The union could also, give one or two en-
tertainments in the course of year. and
perhaps a public, demonstration such as
lantern ride, etc.
The most important work of such an or
garization would be with the District gov
eminent. 1t could secure a more rigid en-
forcement of the police regulation regard
ing the throwing of glass in the streets,
and by denouncing reckless riding could
receive the support of the District Commits
sioners. The Conduit road could be used
again for road racing, and without doubt
the roads within the District bounds could
be improved good deal more Regala,
tons could be passed something on the
order of the Chicago ordinance, preventing
the successful operations of thieves, and
all measures detrimental to cycling could
be fought with more OF less success. One
thing which the Commissioners have been
considering some time is the imposition of
a tax on bicycles, very unjust matter,
but unless opposition develops there is
certainty of the passage of such law
1t is for just such things above
enumerated that the local cyclists stand in
need of a union. Only a partial list of the
benefits can be enumerated, and directly
and indirectly many more will follow
When the matter is put in motion every
cyclist in the city should join for his own
benefit and for the general advancement
of cycling.
Ladies' Night Mt the Capital Club.
Last evening was ladies' night at the Cap
ital Bi Club, the first Of the season, and it
was a very successful affair. The friends
of the club were present In large numbers.
The program opened with an entertainment
styled Cotton Picking" the picking COM
mencing at few minutes past o'clock.
1t was really miniature Black America,
and the queer antics and natural humor of
the isXteen colored participants kept every
enc laughing. Dancing was inaugurated at
the close and continued until near midnight
One Of the novelties introduced in this city
is hand warmers protectors, which the
large wooden sleeves, fastened on the handle
bars by a bolt arrangement and the other
end open, through which the hands can be
thrust in taking hold of the grips
1t is stated that Protin, the fast European
rider, will visit this country next season
and enter some Of the large race meets.
Cycling Notes.
The New York cyclists have established
the custom of running midnight race on
New Year eve, which will be followed this
year. The course extends from 10th street
to Tarrytown and the race is run regard
less Of the weather conditions.
Last week the Referee had the following
news note, though SO far as. can be learned
these people did not leave this city: "W.
L. Hobleitzell, w. E. Sadler and George
tour around the world awheel, without
money. They were to earn their expenses
along the route. At Santa Ana they indulg-
ed in a three-cornered fight, and Sadler at
tempted to make meal off one of Hob
leitzelrs fingers. The latter wired home for
money and has sworn off on the .profesh'
business"
The local paper Of Fort Dodge, Iowa, says
that there Is in the village an old colored
aunty by the name of Lucinda Bell, whose
age is 1O5 years, but who rides bicycle
daily for exercise.
1t is announced that Harry Tyler, who
proved his speedy qualities in more than one
race, will retire from racing next year.
The rumor has been in circulation that H.
E. Raymond, ex-president Of the league
racing board, who is now abroad, went away
for the purpose of hiring team of crack
foreign professionals for races in this coun-
try next season.
Sanger has returned to his home In Mil
waukee after making attempts to lower
Hamilton's unpaced mile Of 200 20. He
succeeded in tieing the record, but the
change in the weather prevented any more
apparent successful attempts.
At the recent meeting of the national as
ISOLATION of Accident Insurance men at
Atlanta the following resolution was adopt
ed: THAT it is the sense of this convention
that the use of the bicycle adds materially
to the risks in accident insurance, and
should be covered either by adding to the
premium or reducing the indemnity"
A Partisan cycle firm has hit upOn novel