The San Francisco call., 1896-04-29
ARMY OFFICERS
MUST NOT PEDAL,
While on Duty They Shall
Conform to Military
Usages.
TROUBLE AT PRESIDE.
Colonel Young Went His Rounds
on the Wheel and Met
General Graham.
he RIDES HIS HORSE NOW.
The Question Now Agitates the Post,
What Place Has the Bicycle
in the Army?

A nice question has arisen at the Pre-
sidio army post, which, while settled on
the principle that might makes right-as
prevails in the idea of military discipline
is yet far from being settled in the ethical
considerations of resident officers.
This peculiar point does not appear in
the time-honored manuals of tactics, etc.,
or in the articles of war. So, what are the
officers to dop
What the bloomer has been in the ad-
vancement of the new woman-that is, as
a subject of general and tireless debate
this question is 10 military ethics. AL
though on the very face of it nothing
could be more simple. 1t is:
"What place has the bicycle in the
army?"
To be sure, the wheel has forced itself
upon men of arms and demanded recog-
milton as valuable adjunct to the gen.
eral military scheme of doin things.
Beyond that, however, there are grave
doubts as to the proper place OF the wheel
in the army. Even officers of high rank
and consequently elevated in authority
cannot agree upon the knotty problem.
At the Presidio there has arisen a differ
ence of opinion on the question, and the
whole post is split into two factions
thereby.
AS the general in command of the post
has set his face against the popular wheel,
opposition to his views is decidedly timid.
Indeed, as the story goes round among
the officers and enlisted men, the bicycle
Is virtually tabooed within the Presidio
reservation. The trouble came about in
an unlooked-for way.
Colonel Young, who has command of
the Fourth Cavalry, stationed at the Pre-
sldio, is votary of the bike. To such an
extent did his new fancy lead him, tn e
sleek and spirited steed he rides in the
field was consigned to hours of meditation
IN the stable and the tender mercies of a
groom for exercise. Meanwhile the colonel
fitted through the beautiful avenues and
picturesque drives of the reservation. He
even forsook his horse to go his rounds"
on the wheel. Now this created no par
ticular comment among the staff and line
ofi1cers, for Colonel Young was voted a
good fellow, and his comrades saw no
breach of etiquette in a cavalry officer
taking to the wheel. All that remained in
the world at the end of this iconoclast CEN
tury of the romantic knight of the olden
time was gone. In his place sat the
stopped cyclist on his spider wheel.
Only the other day Colonel Young was
going his rounds on the wheel when at a
turn in the avenue he rode full up TO Gen.
eral Graham. The general has his own
opinion of the colonel, as is we'll known,
and the colonel has his own opinion of
the general. Whatever bearing that may
have upon the matter is another story
Anyhow General Graham appeared hor-
ritied at the sight of cavalry colonel
flying through the sentries and along the
lines on a bicycle. The generals ideal
was apparently higher than that of his
comrade, though he is but a colonel of the
Fifth Artillery, being general by brevet.
"Haltl" he commanded
The colonel's gloved hand flashed from
the handle-bar to has cap, and an instant
later he was standing beside his wheel fac
ing the commanding officer.
What passed between the two colonels
is reserved for gossip in the officers quart
ers, but some of it found its way to the can
teen. 1t must have been a terrible ex-
change OF angry words, for Colonel Young
was ordered to take his wheel to his quart
ers and never again appear on duty as a
cyclist. The merits or dement's of the
order are agitating the high circles of the
post, and has almost brought about war
between cavalrymen and artillerymen in
the barracks.
Colonel Young has taken to his hand
some horse again, but the two high Off
GERS never speak as they pass by. Their
military salutes are exam pies OF iciest mill
tary etiquette.