The San Francisco call., 1896-07-24

I'VE have come to the conclusion that
the only way to obtain our end is through
political effort. In other words we pro-
pose to vote for men who are in unison
with our ideas. The wheelmen are unit
on this one point only and will vote for
the Supervisor or Street Superintendent
wAo pledges himself to work for good
Streets
This parade" said j. T. Bill of the
Cleveland Wheel Company. Twill en-
thuse people to realize the idea that we
want better streets. The object IS to show
the strength of the wheelmen. Whatever
causes talk will leave an impression on
PERSONS mind.
''In the East they have these parades
and accomplish much good. The object
is to create a popular feeling for good
roads. This pa rade will show up the real
strength of the cyclers in this City. We
would have the balance of power surely in
an election.
"a cyclist more fully realizes the i'm
portance of good roads than the ordinary
citizen, and it is right that he should take
the lead in such a movement. The first
object is to get at least one good street in
w. NJ. Phelps of the Overman Wheel
Company said: 1.-THE riders in the pro-
cession will dismount on Market street TO
show to the people that it is not fit to ride
on. 1t will show the people the great
strength of the cyclers as voting power.
1.-The only way we can get the streets
repaved is by getting some kind of q
pledge from the Supervisors before their
election, to this end. When this comes to
an issue 1 know that the bicycle
people will stand in and assist in
every way. Our greatest opposition
will be the Market street Railway
company. l have heard it reported that
the railroad people were instrumental in
bou ufro tho CT klod of hot
of the day, when wheelmen, leavin their
places of busin ess, wish to ride home. Ii
the slot is wet it is positively dangerous to
ride on it.
This is business proposition and
broad gauge proposition, and l know
that we will win."
Percy Easton, manager of the Lu MI
Mum Cyclery, said: zone of the princi-
pal features of the parade will be to let the
non-wheelmen of San Francisco see what
a number of wheelmen there are, and also
to let them see that the wheel vote is
worth something about election time. And
the Street Commissioners who advocate
good roads and Market-street improve
ment will be better able to Judge of their
chances for Office. There is no doubt that
we have the worst paved streets OF any
city in the land.
II would suggest that as starter the
railroad companies be compelled to pave
between their tracks with bitumen. This
would make a place for cycles and car
riages to rum"
j. M. Fahold, manager of the Phoenix
and Crawford wheels, said: "The streets
of San Francisco cannot compare with
any city in the United States. Anything
that will call attention to the condition of
Market street will do good.
"a person takes his life in his own
hands when he rides on that street. The
wheelmen as a class are becoming larger
every day and more influential as a poll
ing power. If they concentrate at the
polls for one end they will be sure of
success"
James H. Hamilton of the firm of Baker
q Hamilton said: This parade will show
good pavements anywhere in the City.
We think we will give the politicians an
idea as to what the wheelmen are. There
are wheelmen everywhere in this City
ready to throw their vote either way"
I'VE will get in our work later on" said
r. c. Denney, manager of the Morgan &
Wright tire on this coast. "The wheel
men are banded together in body. and
those men who are running for political
positions who will give them-not promise
them only-their support toward good
pavements will secure the entire wheeling
vote.
"Not only their votes, but the votes of
their friends also. The wheelmen figure
on controlling over 35 900 votes at the next
election, and they want good roads. ire
gardless of the partisanship of the man
running for Office.
w. r. Wheeler, one Of the managers of
the Rolbrook, Merrill & Stetson firm,
said:
1--WE are interested as dealers in seeing
the bicycle made an instrument of utility
as well as of pleasure. We believe we
should have good streets here as well as in
other cities.
"The Cycle Board of Trade is not advo-
eating any special kind of pavement. 1t
wants simply good pavement.
This demonstration will be an index of
our desire, our needs and our determina-
ton. The wheelmen are mighty politi-
cal power, and l feel convinced that they
will win their fight
''If the cyclers care for practical sug.
gestion here il is," said Wells Drury, who
is himself wheelman and has suffered
from the cobblestones on Market street.
my idea is that the only way to get de-
cent streets and keep them decent is to
have a practical wheelman for Superin-
tendent Of Streets.
"If you put in that position a man who
goes out on his bike every day, or even
once week, you are sure to have proper
attention paid to the City's thoroughfares.
The way to get wheelmen for Superin-
tend ent Of Streets is q very simple thing,
as l will illustrate by short story.
"ln a community in Nevada where l
once lived the Sheriff of the county is al
ways a member of the Miners Union.
The reason of this is that the miners will
never vote for any nominee for Sheriff un-
less he be member of their organization.
The miners hold the balance of power,
and each convention is compelled to nomi-
nate member of the union. After the
nominations are made the motto is: "A
fair field and no favors, and may the best
man win.'
"Just in like manner the wheelmen in
San Francisco hold the balance of power
in regard to the man who is to look after
the Streets and if they declare their wishes
in proper form, that is to vote tor no man
for Superintendent of Streets except he is
a wheelman, they will be able to have in
that important position a man who will
deal justly and intelligently with the affairs
of the Street Department"
San Francisco is away behind the times
in the proposition of good Streets" said
A. A. Martin. manager of the bicycle de-
partment of the Emporium. "Even San
Jose is far ahead of US. It is as much as
mans life is worth to ride down Market
street in its present condition.
1.-THE Emporium is laying pavement at
@fn L