Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-20
NEW OFFICIALS IN CHARGE
4. A. W, Inaugurates New Year with a
Banquet.
DISCUSS PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE
National Meet for 'OS and Good Roads
All the Timc-Ncccssity for
Making visiting Wheel
men Feel ut Home.

The installation of the newly elected Off
GERS of the Nebraska division Of the League
of American Wheelmen occurred last even
ing under the most favorable auspices The
occasion was celebrated by an elaborate
banquet and feast of cycling reason at
the Dollone hotel, and from 10 o'clock until
this morning there was a merry time for
the Omahans who are connected with the
great national organization of cyclers.
An extended menu of delicate dishes had
been prepared and was served from ele-
gantly appointed tables. Palms and pink
roses formed the principal floral decora'
tions, which were tastefully arranged around
the banquet board.
The new consul of the Nebraska division,
David j. O'Brien, called the assemblage to
order after the last course had been dis
posed of and the cigars lighted, and with a
few timely words of introduction presented
A. r. Edmiston of Lincoln, the retiring
consul. The latter briefly reviewed what
had been done in Nebraska by the League
of American Wheelmen during the year past,
calling especial attention to the first circuit
meet ever held. He regretted that greater
advance had not been made by the state di-
vision during 1896 In his opinion the further
success of the order depended more on hold
ing the present members rather than in OBJ
tanning new ones. Had all the riders who
had belonged to the league continued their
membership the state roll would now be
heightened to considerably more than 1000
names.
Secretary Mccall was the next speaker,
and in his address emphasized the point that
II was not the year 1896 that was to be con-
sidered but the year 1897 He hoped all
would unite to pull together for the success
of the Nebraska division during the coming
year.
Vice-Consul Eldredge OF York said that
all his experience in league matters had
been in connection with races, and he gave
some valuable pointers on the best means
OF conducting these. Secretary-elect Pease
Of Fremont was called for, but pleaded
an excuse that he had walked in from
Fremont and had lost his voice in the
shuttle. He read letter from the Missouri
consul, letter that abounded in much in
formation for league members.
Consul-elect O'Brien received a rousing
reception when he was introduced by the
retiring consul He said that Omaha must
have the state meet next season, and the
national meet in the following year. He
believed these could be obtained If every
body pulled together. The best card for
Omaha was to take good care OF its visiting
cyclists, and be sure that their reception
at the state meet next year would be most
cordial. This feature would be made prom
inent at the expense of everything else, If
necessary. He could not see why anyone
should have any trouble in getting new
members for the league. He secured forty
two in three days, and didn't half work.
Auditor Anderson OF the Union Pacific
made happy little speech that abounded
in cycling witticisms. He testified to the
good obtained from the league, especially
from its publications. He had purchased
every wheeling novelty advertised in II, and
had become known in the railroad headquar-
ill.,.
confident there would be fewer mud puddles
and better paved streets II the wheelmen
banded together to secure these desirable OBJ
jects.
A. d. Fetterman spoke about the desira-
bility of getting a good. healthy graft In on
the legislature. He favored the passage OF
bill prohibiting any charge for the trans
portation of wheels and legislation for good
roads. l.. j. Olier OF Chicago testified to
the good done by the league throughout the
country and was followed in the same strain
by Dr. Gleason. NJ. O.. DaXon emphasized
the Importance of the social side of cycling
clubs
Ira o. Rhoades made the hit of the evening
when he took up the subject of improve
ments TO the streets OF Omaha and to the
surrounding country roads before the ex-
position year. He knew that majority of
the city council and of the county COM
missioners were in accord with a movement
for improvement in this direction, and urged
all wheelmen in the city to band together
to secure this desideratum. A. ]. Grover
and j. Harry Minds followed in the same
strain and their remarks were heartily re-
ceived
A resolution of thanks to the local press
for its support Of cycling interests was
unanimously adopted The banqueters were
invited to be present at the rooms of the
Turner's Wheel club this afternoon for a
social session. and the first banquet of the
Nebraska division of the national league
was a thing OF the past.
Among those present were: ]. w. Griffith,
]. T. Hogan, L. A. Wilderman, o. f. Willie,
]. Eaton, A. d. Fetterman, II. f. Wheelock,
A. w. Basse, T.. II. Farnsley. Robert A.
Hays, L. A. Morst, +. Newcomb. h. Ander-
son, George ii. Cone, F. N. Hess, Edward
L. Fries. NJ. o. Daxon, II. Mulhall. +. E..
Vandenburg w. II. Kellogg, j. e. Have, j.
]. Deright. II. A. Stacy, Doc" Gleezen,
W. NJ Mccall, l.. ]. Ollier. A. r. Edmiston,
j. w. Stewart, ID. C. Eldredge, D. j. O'Bren.
Edwin r. Pease Max Reichenberg, Alva j.
Groom, J. Harry Minds, Theodore w. Baumer,