Evening star., 1896-11-03
WHITE LOT SPEEDWAY,
bicycle Riders Arrested for Fast
Riding

Bicyclists must hereafter select some
other track for training than the roadway
surrounding the ellipse of the White I.oi
Up to yesterday the roadway mentioned
has been a favorite place for scorchers
particularly during the past two weeks
and each afternoon IL has been the rule
for many as a hundred wheelm,n 70
gather there to speed or 10 watch Others
riding against time. Policemen have in
Gulged i'm the sport and looked on approv-
il gly so that when a squad of special
park officers yesterday afternoon swoopcd
down on the cyclists and placed three of
their number under arrest the action had
somewhat the effect Of a thunderbolt.
In the Police Court this afternoon the
details of the situation were fully dis
cGsSed- The young men charged with
exceeding the limit of speed fixed by law
We're John Hager, Jacob Chase and Frank
Davidson. and they, in addition TO a score
or more of other cyclists, were present
when the cases were called.
II was explained to the court that eyer
since the bicycle regulations were put into
effect they have not applied TO the White
Lot. Cyclists. SO II testified. have
been permitted to scorch to their hearts
content. and have been informed by police
men time and again that no objection ex-
isted TO fast riding. And. again. it WAS
set forth. certain members OF the police
bicycle squad have been doing their train
ing in the White Lot for a proposed road
of speed than twelve miles an hour AT
times. In the opinion of the whcelm.n il
was unjust to them that man shoul,i be
permitted to scorch merely because he wore
the badge of the metropolitan police
III policemen at other times than In iha
discharge of their duty, violate the law
relating to bicycles j shall fine them as
quickly as | will any other oerson." said
Judge kimball. They are. of course
permitted 10 ride fast as necessity may
require while on duty. but when off dIty
possess no rights in addition to hose Of
other citizens.
Il think i can make the matter clear io
your honor, said Policeman Estes a mem
her of the bicycle squad. I'VE We're told
by the captain not to interfere with btf.y-
clsts on the White Lot unless complaint
should be made by Colonel John n Will
buildings and grounds. Therefore for AZ
least six months past II has been the CHS
tom for bicyclists to Use the Whit. Lot AS
a speedway. The same is true of drivers
OF horses. I'll admit that j ha re myself
ridden there several times at a speed
greater than twelve miles an hour Yes
terday, however, Colonel Wilson dircr-, ed
his officers TO arrest the riders, and without
warming they were taken into CUSTODY I
think. however that II a committee of
wheemen appeared before Colonel Wilson
he would give them permission 10 rid, Oh
the White Lot.
Under the circumstances the defendants
were dismissed on their personal bonds
Collateral was forfeited in the Polio,
Court by the following bicyclists arrested
last evening: John L. Eagle. no light. Ha--
ry Wilson, no light: Harry Stier Sp..,liry.
William w. Wilson. no ligh:: John Prince
speeding. and John o Houston, no bell
Charges of riding without a bell against
Robert Beale. and without a light against
Frank B. Martin were nolle pressed