Evening star., 1896-06-17
PARADE OF WHEELMEN
Such an Event is Proposed for Christian
Endeavor Week.
Difficulties i'm the Way of Arranging
the Date of This Unique Method
of Entertainment.

christian Endeavorers all believe in the
Wheel said Chairman W. H. H. Smith of
the committee of '96 when his attention
was called TO the action Of the local wheel
men in proposing bicycle parade for dele
gates to the July convention. II believe 1t
Is splendid idea-a very graceful courtesy
on the part of District wheeling clubs, ar
am sure 1t would be appreciated by all
the delegates. Those who ride would derive
great enjoyment from taking part in the
demonstration, and those who do not would
take pleasure In looking on
Chairman Jerome F. johnson of the eX-
cursion committee, which has supervision
of excursions and bicycle runs for the En-
heartily indorsed the plan. He said he was
sure If the line Of parade could be properly
roped off, SO that the spectators would be
prevented from crowding in on the riders,
1t would be great success. Previous ef-
forts in the way of bicycle parades, he said,
had been somewhat marred in their pictur-
esque effect because of the crowding. If 1t
were possible, said Mr.. Johnson, to allow
the wheelmen to spread out and present
wide front he was quite certain the parade
would be one of the most pleasant features
arranged for the benefit of the visiting
delegates.
Conference Probable.
1t is likely that the Christian Endeavor
excursion committee and the committee of
wheelmen appointed by the league at its
meeting Monday night will confer with
each other as to the date and time for
holding the parade. The committee of SO
would be unwilling to officially indorse ery
exercise or entertainment that would in
any way conflict with the convention meet
tnGs. Delegates, they say, come to Wash
ington primarily for the purpose of attend
ing the great meetings and hearing the
notable speakers. so as to gain en- inspira-
tion and enth lsiasm which shall leaven the
societies In all parts of the country. Any
thing planned for their pleasure that does
not conflict with the meetings is encour-
aged by the committee.
Saturday May BE Chosen.
Every evening during the continuance of
the conv ention, except Saturday evening"
meetings have been planned. They begin
al 1:30 and close at $50. If 1t is the pur-
pose to have the parade after dark, say the
members of the committee, Saturday even
ing, July IL, will be the only available
evening. Saturday night has been set
apart on the convention program for recep
tions to state delegations at their several
church headquarters, but those who might
desire to take part in view the parade
could ge- to their receptions late or leave
them early enough to do both.
If it would be inconvenient for the wheel
men, on account of their racing meet
that evening. then the committee members
who have expressed an opinion on the SUBJ
1ect think Friday evening would be the
next best time. Friday afternoon conven-
ton engagements are such as not to claim
the attendance at meetings of all the dele
gates hence, in the opinion of the members
of the committee, if the parade were start
ed at, say, 6:3o, it would surely be well at
tended. Some of the committee, notably
Chairman Smith, believe that a parade in
the early evening would be more interesting
aid better attended than one after dark
III held after dark it would necessitate the
and many would not care to go to that
trouble and expense, II is thought.
Details to BE Arranged.
These details of the parade, the time of
Gay and date for the demonstration, can,
however, be arranged at a conference be-
tween the whelmen's committee and the
excursion committee for the convention.
The main idea itself is heartily concurred
IN by the Endeavorers. There will GER
talnly be brought into Washington at the
tlme OF the convention very large num-
Der OF wheels. The excursion committee
has not yet obtained sufficient data upon
Which to base an estimate, but reports
from all over the country indicate that
wheelmen will not fail to take advantage
OF the ideal streets in this city, whose
fame is known all over the country. There
that one provincial delegation from the
Dominion of Canada will come with one
whole carload of bicycles, and certainly
the other delegations will come well pro-
N1ded with wheels. The bicycle parade
ought to prove a popular feature.