The San Francisco call., 1896-02-09
BIC RALLY OF
THE WHEELMEN.
Importance of the National
Assembly to Be Held at
Baltimore.
GROWTH OF THE LEAGUE
Various Knotty Problems That
Require an Immediate
Solution.
MANY SCHEMES ARE ADVANCED
Not the Least Important Will Be
Advocacy of Good Roads
Everywhere.

BALTIMORE, Nd, Feb. s.-Only ten
States in the country will be unrepresented
at the National Assembly of the l.. A. W.,
winch opens its session here next Monday.
The convention promises to go down in
cycling history as the most momentous
ever held. More knottv problems that re-
qulre immediate solution will come up
than have heretofore fallen to the province
OF National assembly of wheelmen.
Seventy-four amendments to the constitu-
ton are down for consideration.
This remarkable condition is due to the
fact that the league has grown SO i'm
mensely in membership within a recent
period that the present system of govern
ment has become cumbersome. All kinds
of schemes are advocated to simplify the
conditions. With the arrival of the van
guard OF the delegates last night and to-
day. league politics began TO boom, and
will continue to grow in importance until
the officers are elected nextNWednesday.
President Willison is on hand and ex-
presses unlimited confidence in his re-
election. His strongest antagonist is Ster-
ling Elliott of Massachusetts. The fact
that two other names are being talked of
in connection with the presidency has
given rise to the supposition that Elliott
followers fear his connection with the of
fetal Bulletin of the L. A. w. has resulted
in bringing forth strong opposition to his
candidacy.
The two outside choices in the race are
Cossum of Poughkeepsie, n. Y. and Nor
rison of Illinois. The racing question can
not enter into the contest as between Will
L i
port racing under the jurisdiction of the
league. One hundred and ninety two per-
sons are eligible to cast ballots, but it is
not expected that more than $50 will be
deposited.
The assembly will practically be started
by meeting of the racing board to-mor-
row afternoon. This board has autoeratic
powers over all who race on bicycles. The
chief business to be considered at to-mor-
rows meeting will be in regard to reopen
ing the us-Murphy-Cabanne case. The
suspended riders viii be represented by at
torneys. There appears to be sentiment
among the members of the board in favor
OF relnstating at least two of the men.
Monday will be given up to talks on good
roads and at night banquet will be given
to $50 persons. Chief Counsel Sans went
to Washington to-day to secure the &C
ceptance of invitations by Speaker Reed,
Senators German, Hill, Gibson and others.
Short addresses will be made on the high
way improvement association.
The real business of the assemb bly will
begin Tuesday. One of the most widely
discussed amendments to the constitution
which will be considered is the anti-racing
proposition of Chief Counsel Potter OF
New York, in which it is proposed that the
league relinquish control of cycle racing
and turn 1t over to an organization COM
posed of the chief counsels of all State
divisions having membership of 1000 and
over, this body to select its own chairman.
The defeat of Mr.. Potter's idea is antici-
pated. Failing to convince the Assem- bly,
that his views on the racing question
should prevail, Mr.. Potter undoubtedly
will make an effective fight against the
continuation of class B.
Chairman Gideon of the racing board.
will move to amend the rules in such a
manner that class B rider will no longer
be called an amateur, but simply class B
rider. The value of prizes for class B is
also cut down from $3.50 to $1OO, and that OF
class A from $50 to $35. Should the recon.
mendation OF Chief Counsel Jacouish of
Illinois prevail, the anti-negro clause will
be effaced.
The place for holding the annual meet OF
the L. A. w. will also be decided bv the
assembly, and the fight has narrowed down
to the cities of Toledo and Louisville.