The morning times., 1896-06-21

organization. 1t proposes to do fer its
members in the District what the league
has done in the country. 1t in no way
a,tagoniZes thelea que. but the two bodies
wirt work tcgether in harmony.
The dues in fIie new organization are
placed at, so cents. 1t will employ an
attorney. and will guarantee to its mem
bers h tat'advicc and protection. The asso-
citation will look after all matters i'm which
its members are involved. Hereafter the
wheeiIncn viii not tamely submit to all
the contumely beaped upon them. They
will fight for their rights.
Just row If h. aTse rurs away through
the carelessness of driver his excuse is
that Il "socroEef" frightened the animal
1t does net make q Particle of difference
Whether a wheel has been within n mile
or so. the driver makes the charge and
there. is TO cne to disprove it, The broad
statement was made at a meeting the
other night that the read law was violated
hundred times day, or the Avenue, fer
Instance. right under the noses ofpolicenicn.
by vehicles and not an arrest was made. II
is these matters that tie United Wheelmen
-willtry TO have Strengthened cut.
The lirst move in the direction of such
: q movement WAS caused by the attempted
theft of a wheel. A number Of riders were
: Visiting Mr.. W. II. He nshaw n his place OF
business on Eleventh street n, rthwest.
when gentleman called in the door that
ssoIne eEe was stealing wheel. There WIS
a rush OF cyciers at cnce. ana man was
-feuadswith the wheel in his p, sse ssion. He
claimed that the thief had dropped it and
tiiat me picked it Up TO return it. Much
auestioning aroused the suspicion that the
man Himself was the thief
-A-warrant was secured for his arrest nd
witnesses found who could testify TO his
'-fshc rffty. But the matter was quashed by
bn ~ b.ro
: rot dropped the matter yet, and another
effort will be made to have him punished.
Tire efforts tn secure the conviction Of this
. fellow led ft<the decision to organize for
seif-proteCtion.a and hence the United Wheel
men. 'tl''
A number of meetings were held before
the boys could agree on a constitution.
The gathering Wednesday night was an
enthusiastic one. So enthusiastic was it
that it would require Gar Reed with
a set of Fifty first Congress rules to
preside. But the chairman managed to
pun the thing through and the worst part of
the entire affair is over now. None of the
committee were chosen and many of the
officers were not elected. 1t was thought
best 10 leayeNthis intii the next meeting.
In the meantime all who have announced
an intention to Join will be notified and a
corking meeting isexpected ne xt Wednesday
evening.
Mr.. b. H. Warner was elected president
of the new organization by acclanlation
and comnl,ttee of three was appointed
to notify. hinl of his election. The other
Officers chosen were: First vice president,
Mr.. w. L. Offsey; second vice president MIR.
W. II. HenshayH: secretary, Mr F. E. Pratt,
and treasurer, Mr.. William Gettinger.
The United, Wheeimen were Il Unit on
the matter of Il parade. They selected
Mr.. W. II. ueUshaw as their delegate 10
work with the League committee. They
could not have made u better choice. He
is a bicycle hustler from away back.
The new organization stands ont with
the most fiattering prospects. AT least
600 cyclists have signified their inten-
tions of becoming members OF the new
body. They will make things hum in the
future. They.shave only had one run yet.
and opinions on that are divided. But any
one can stake-ilis pile on the fact that If
any whecImen come to Washington on the
invitation of -the United Wheelmen, they
will be fed.