The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
THE WHEELMEN.


favorable auspices. Last Sunday practi-
caly marked its opening, when thousands
of wheelmen took advantage of the beau
tifuI weather for spin in the park. Mon
day (Washington's birthday gave them
another opportunity for riding in the fore
noon and 10 visit the Velodrome races in
the afternoon, which many OF them did,
judging from the large attendance. To-
day and tomorrow it IS the same, with
plenty of racing events for those who like
Them, and the prospects of good weather
and good roads for those who want to
ride.
This afternoon the first cycle champion
ship ever held by the Academic Athletic
League will take place at the VeIodrome
at 2 O. clock. The entries and events were
given in THE CALL yesterday. The great
est interest, however, Is centered on the
big gathering of professionals and anna
O teurs at the Santa Rosa meet, the occasion
being the opening OF the State circuit.
This is expected to be one of the best
meets ever held in California from the
high class of the riders who Will compete,
and it will De attended by wheelmen from
this City, Oakland, San Jose and all the
towns contiguous to Santa Rosa.
Then tomorrow there is the annual
twenty-five-mile road race of the Califor-
mia Associated Cycling CIubs-one of the
classic cycle road events of the year
which will be held over the San Leandro
triangle, starting from San Lsandro
promptly at 10 A. NJ. Most of the riders
and officials will 20 over on the A. NJ.
boat, except those who go to Santa Rosa,
and they will not get back until about
quarter to 9. There are 102 entries in this
race, with handicaps varying from moth
ing to ten minutes, There are twenty-five
prizes to be contested for, and a pretty
-. IL >
bered that at San Leandro spectators Can
see til e start, have the riders pass them
twice and be at the finish, as the course is
triangular in shape. 1t is therefore an
Interesting race 10 attend ana always
draws large crowd.
From all over the country can be read
the criticisms of the cycling press aneIt
the recent National Assembly OF the
League OF American Wheelmen. Bear
.ings, the great Chicago weekly, says edl-
'torially IN the last issue:
The National Assembly of the League OF
American Wheelmen this year did more talk
ing and less work than ever before in the his
tory OF the bOdy. 1t refused 10 allow Sunday
racing when the majority OF the delegates de-
1nanded il; 1T barred professionals from men,
bership because few society cads thought
that their lily white purity would be contain
mated by allowing men who made an honest
living by riding bicycles to belong to the same
organization as the blue-bIoodeI ones whose
Dutch forefathers happened 10 settle in the
q would
nave nothing 10 DO Wlth the scheme 1or con-
troll of racing by state boards. In fact il re-
fused to do anything that in any way would
better the League OF American Mneelmen and
help to make IL one OF the most powerful ath-
lelic bodies IN the world. 1t was case of
spite work and broken promises all the way
through, and IL is not TO be wondered at that
sensible men are disguised with the actions
and treachery OF some OF the delegates. We
could enumerate many other things that the
assembly fa1lcd to accomplish, but it would
lake US a much shorter time to tell wnat. il
really did. About the only business trans
acted the election of Isaac B. Potter as
president, but that was only accomplished by
means of treachery, such as most ward-hea ers
and plug-uglies would not deign to stoop to.
Nevertheless the writer commends the
election OF Potter in another article as
wise move, states he is a capable man and
predicts that with such pilot at th e
helm the good ship L. A. w. will weather
. all storms and sail into the port of Pros
perity the LARGEST athletic organization in
the world" Yes if it doesn't get wrecked
on the reefs OF its own narrow mindedness
and indiscretiou.
Frank w. Fuller. who attended the Ma
tional Assembly. L. A. W., is expected
Eome tomorrow night at S:45, and Mr.
Welch says he would not be surprised if
: Judge Kerrigan was with him. The latter
will probably wire to some OF his friends
here in advance if he is on that train.
Mr.. Welcn showed a telegram yesterday
from IL. Z. Fourton, president of the New
Orleans Cement Track Association, as
showing the spirit Of the Louisiana Divi-
sion. 1t read: I'VE are prepared to form
a league to promote cycling and Sunday
racing and admit professionals to MEM
bershlp." This IS about what will be
done, but no action will be taken until
after the National circuit has been here
and gone, late in April. Mr.. WEIGH favors
more freedom for the divisions, and the
= new league will be so constructed.
81
Chief Consul, Monaghan, came in for
large amount of criticism from various
sources. Mr.. WEIGH, speaking of Nom
Afghan, said: Instead of assisting US at
:. rhe assembly, as you would have thought
q. man from our own State would have
done, that man Monaghan went there to
put obstacles IN the way of what is abso-
lptely essential to the good OF the league
In California. Furthermore, ii he was
honest IN his representations the Sunday
racing proposition could not affect him or
his division in the least, as it would have
been left 10 divisional option and they
could easily have decided against it. Yet
it was the South California Division that
tlrst started racing on Sunday, and nearly
a score OF professionals down there are
now under suspension for it, and the rail-
road track at Santa Monica is blacklisted
In consequence OF permitting them to
use it.
Monaghan was literally kicked ont of
the Western caucus at Albany, and was
Toundly Kissed on the floor of the assem-
= bly, Tor his lntemperate remarks IL the de-
bate on admitting professionals to men,
bershlp. Next TO refusing all divisional
option, the greatest mistake the assembly
made was in refusing the "pros." admis
sion to membership. And yet it came
within six votes OF admitting negroes. The
Southern, Central and Western States
won't forget these things in hurry.
And another thing, the North California
Division does not want the South Califor-
1lla Division TO get the idea into its head
that the latter in any way assisted in
The passage of the baggage bill re-
GENTLY before tie Legislature The
work was ali done by this d:vi-
sion. the burden being borne by
Charles Albert Adams. Percy V. Long and
L. t. Dwyer. The North California Divi-
sion and the Cycle Board OF Trade of San
Francisco paid all the expenses. Not
cent came from the south, or assistance in
any shape whatever. Il will be equally
benefited with this part of the State by
the passage of the measure, but what is
EARRING" the league offiiaIs here is that
the south IS trying to take the credit for
the good work, saying what tive" did for
the wheelmen of Southern California.
Credit belongs where credit is due, and in
this baggage-bill matter, the North Cali
fornia Division alone is entitled To all of ii
Captain J. s. Lewis of the San Francisco
Road Club has called run for tomorrow,