The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-17

each other on the sidewalks, and down town TN,
wheelmen and bloomer girls plunge along 4,
though they wore the only creatures who had
any absolute rights.
Thus far the Illinois Legislature has taken nc
hand in attempting to regulate bicycling, and
the State statutes, as far rs can be learned, are
a,lent in regard to the machine that IA driving
the horso out OF business and the livery stable
keeper into bankruptcy. Efforts have been
made TO secure the enactment OF a measure
compelling railroads TO carry bicycles free, like
any other baggage. but no such law has yet been
passed. and until they are forced to do other
wise tho railroads have determined not to recog-
nize bicycles as baggage. but to charge for their
transportation. This state Of affairs cannot last
long, for in no other portion Of tho United
States are there more bicycle riders to the
square mile than in Illinois. No Legislation has
been had for tho simple reason that there has
been nobody to go ahead and push matters to a
conclusion. That the railways will finally have
TO dc or to the demands of the cyclists there can
be no doubt.
The city ordinance requiring wheelmen to
carry lighted lamps on their wheels became
practically a dead letter for several months, but
II was revived along in the fall OF last year. Be-
fore that riders consulted their own pleasure
and convenience ms to carrying n light. Conse-
qucntly, when the police received orders to en-
lOTtC llt u lilhhtt, NJ lTlllH OF the WncclTnen
were great. Fast riders ut first got warning that
II they repeated the offence they would be locked
erence. But soon the number OF aliases under
which n wide-awake bicycle rider rode made n
more severe course necessary. and numbers Of
wheelmen had rides III q patrol wagon, often
being compelled, also. to pay n fine.
OF course, this sort of treatment was resented
by riders who had been caught without lights
under accidental circumstances. and consider
able trouble resulted. The wheelmen secured
first-class legal counsel and attacked tho valid
ity nf the ordinance. commanding Tint If hiRyala
riders were to be compelled to carry lights other
vehicles should be dealt with in a like manner.
parts OF the country gave the Chicago bicyclists
courage. Finally IL was alleged that the ordi-
was not valid. Several policemen who had
made arrests. were discharged from the force
through Influence" and the matter was al
lowed to go by without any decision on the
validity OF the ordinance being secured. In this
way the ord nance beramca dead letter.
But the old fight is certain to DO renewed this
spring and summer. An assistant to the City
Attorney has expressed himself to the effect
and it is generally felt that concerted action on
the question is all that the wheelmen need to
win II victory over the authorities. But the
Chief OF Police has issued an order that officers
shall arrest all persons riding wheels after dark
unless they have n lighted lamp. The order took
effect May l.. This action of the Chief, coming
so early in The season, rs sure TO brlng on II
pretty fight soon: once more the question of the
validity OF the ordinance will come up. and
whether or not IT Is proved effective, lively
times are certain to follow.
Chlcago's boulevard system Is unequalled in
this country. Century runs may be made over
the smoothest roads in America without twice
travcrsing the same path and without going
outside the city limits. On the South Side there
is the long chain of beautiful roadway which is
connected with the down-t )wn districts by
Michigan avenue and includes. the Grand and
Drexel boulevards, connected by the Midway
Plaisance. Then there is lakewood boulevard
and Fiftieth street, the latter the connection
with the West Side park system. Humboldt and
Douglas parks are connected by handsome road
ways. and, In turn. the West Side parks open into
the North SIDE and the Lake Shore and sheridan
drives by means of the beautiful North boule-
ward. The Sheridan drive extends away to the
north along the lake shore for ,thirty-fye miles.
and it Is ex pected that sume day IL will be eI-
tended tn Milwaukee,. a distance of eighty-fve
miles. No especial provision is made by law for
bicycles. but if the Park Commissioners had
planned to build their uneQualled systems for
the especial benefit OF the wheelmcn they could
not have builded better.