The San Francisco call., 1896-04-03
Then They Will Go After the
Other Streets That Offend
the Eye.
BOARD OF TRADE ORGANIZED
Wheelmen, Liverymen, Horsemen and
Others Will Be Asked
to Assist.

the present. year the caole systems of Mar
ket and Howard streets would be replaced
by an electric streetcar system has caused
the dealers in bicycles, as well as bicyclists
themselves, to do consderabl thinking.
san Francisco is about the worst paved
City for its size in Christendom, and the
wheelmen here, as well as elsewhere, have
been the first to appreciate the fact.
Last night large meeting of bicycle
dealers was held in the parlors of Thomas
II. B. Varney's bicycle establishment on
Market street. The meeting was called to
order by III. j. Bryan, who made an ad-
dress setting forth the objects of the or
ganization, the chief one of which was to
get good streets. Good streets advanced
the sale of bicycles and helped traffic and
business in general.
The speaker gave some interesting
statistics. Paris with a population of
2,500, 900 had 10000 bicycle riders, a per-
centage of 6 in every 100 of the popula-
ton. Washington, D. c., with a popula-
ton of 250,000 had 1000 wheelmen, or
about AZ in every 100 Chicago had
100000 population and 10000 wheelmen,
or per cent of the population. Los An
geles had 5000 bicycle-riders out of a
population OF $4,000, or about per cent,
while San Francisco with a population of
SOC, 900 had 5000 wheelmen or per cent.
There must be some good reason, the
speaker said, for the disproportionately
small percentage between San Francisco
ana the other cities mentioned and the
o. chief reason was the fact that the streets
OF those cities were better paved than those
of San Francisco.
The speaker was of the opinion that it
was time for bicyclc-dealers, wheeIm en-
the Merchants Association, truckmen,
lIveFymen, horsemen and all others whose
interests lie in the direction of good
streets to unite and use their influence
politically, socially and individually to Sc
cure good streets. He advised that in case
an organization should be effected it would
not be well 10 scatter its energies all over
the City, but it should unite upon some
important proposition at first. Market
street being the main artery of the City,
and leading directly TO the ferries, should
be the first aim OF the organization. They
should leave no effort untried to secure the
paving OF that thoroughfare with bitumin.
Gus rock.
Such an organization, he said, would
have a powerful influence, politically and
otherwise, in obtaining whatever they de-
manded. 1t would not be necessary to
enter into partisan politics. but they could
unite IN the support of the candidates who
would pledge themselves as being in favor
OF good streets.
Thomas H. B. Varney was selected as
temporary chairman apd James joyce as
secretary. Mr. Farney announced that it
was the intention of the railroad people to
convert the cable system into electric
roads.
"If they tear up the Market-street slot
we Will have picnic in the bicycle busi-
ness" said Mr.. Varney. 1--WE are here to
sell bicycles, and if We can't do something
to sch them we had better quit
Mr.. Varney proceeded to say
rhar fha a1r7aaT ha1 e1 ,t1@
force they were in politics by the election
OF Justice of the Peace Kerrigan, who ran
ahead of his ticket by a higher vote than
any one else, excepting, perhaps, Mayor
Sutro. IF we have nice streets MANY
more people win come here to live and we
can sell more bicycles and it will be better
Tor all kinds OF business. III we can get to-
gether with the Merchants Association,
the horsemen and the bicycle clubs we can
say to candidate, Are you going to give
us good streets?' and if he Is not in favor
we can unite against him." added Mr..
Narney.
E. Mohrig called attention to the fact
=" that few years ago Mayor Pond made a
great effort toward the paving of Market
street with bltumen, but nothing what
ever came of it. The Democratic nominee
and the Republican nominee for Superin-
tendent of Streets promised that they
would give good streets, but the man who
l.
: Mohrig could not see that anything could
: be effected in a political way unless they
put up their own candidate.
h. l.. Buckleton suggested that the BIZ
cycle-dealers Of San Francisco should form
themselves into an association with sew
eraL objects for the benefit OF the business
lie suggested the formation of a board of
trade.
w. b. Morrill, suggested the appoint
ment OF committee to adopt constitu-
tion and bylaws.
Secretary Joyce remarked that there
were other things besides good streets that
affected the bicycle business. Twelve
hundred wheelmen Of this City, he said,
were associated together in bicycle clubs,
and their cooperation, as well as that of
the liverymeD and carriage-men, could be
secured. He told about a man who drove
a $3.50 buggy about the streets for six years
and who had to put it in the repair-shop
every two months.
The secretary was of the opinion that il
might not answer to go into politics. but
the board could appoint good committees
to work the matter up. The lighting of
the park was another improvement which
the organization could advocate.
W. j. henney of the Bicycle Protective
Association pledged the assistance of the
body represented by him.
J. 5. Conwell said that TO bituminZe
Market street it would be necessary to
procure petition signed by certain per-
centage of the foot frontage. The Super
lntendent of Streets was merely a servant
OF the Supervisors. Rents on Market
street, he added, We're higher than those
on Broadway, New York, and higher than
those on State street. Chicago, in proper
ton 10 the business chances, and the
Market-street tenants were, therefore, en-
titled to as good service as the merchants
OF The other cities. Supervisors in SYM
pathy with good roads should be selected
Messrs- Slosson, Morrill,, Devaney,
hamilton and others expressed them
selves IN favor of organizing.
IL. I. Lennie suggested that the organ
zatlon should be an independent body
anu not connected with the National
Board Of Trade. 1t would have more
freedom OF action and would not be SUBJ
lect 10 a tax.
1t was finally decided to organize under
the name OF the San Francisco Cycle Board
.of Trade.