The San Francisco call., 1897-03-28

resulted in the refusal of Gideon to again &C
cept the Craftsmanship of the racing board,
are familiar instances of treachery to the
wheclmen of America INDUCED In by the New
York delegation from Potter up.
1t has seemed plain to me, therefore, that
the league division here has reached the limit
of it's usefulness. 1t only remains to be shown
that cycling organization Can be formed in
California that could do more for the wheel
men of the State than is done by the league.
/ believe that it is perfectly feasible Tor the
tend it's scope as TO assume all the functions
OF the Northern California division. The AS
sociated Clubs have met with uniform success
in everything they have undertaken. they
have established amica BILE relations between
the several clubs of the State, and to-day con-
siitute the authorized body for the expression
of the opinion of the organized wheelmen
upon any subject. They have taken road
ing into their charge, and have done for that
branch of cycling all that the league has done
for racing on the track.
What, then is to prevent the California AS.
sociated Cycling Clubs from absorbing and
taking advantage of the energy that In the
past has made this division OF the league what
ii is?
Potentially, California is one of the greatest
cycling States of the Union. In no city OF the
Eastern States is there greater enthusiast m,
greater energy in all branches of wheeling
work than right here IN California. And 1T is
safe to say that in no State is the number OF
riders greater in proportion 10 the popula-
ton. Our road-racing events are unexceiled.
We have established more records on the
track during the past two seasons than any
other State. The goodfellowshlp and trsternal
feeling that exists among wheelmen mere mas
been the frequent subject OF comment from
visitors from without our borders. during
the past year we have initiated and encour.
aged agitation Tor the Improvement OF
highways that eliminated in the passage by
the present Legislature OF bill appr0prlaung
more than $6O0,000 ior the purpose. We have
secured the passage OF the bicycle baggage
bill. Surely it is beyond question that we
have in this Stale material LOT the formation
of local organization that can do more Tor
California than is possible Tor any nsmpereo
branch of National body.
am aware that with some of the members
of the California Associated Cycling Clubs 1t
might be matter of hesitancy to engrait upon
that body the numerous functions now per-
formed by the League Division. But in this
connection it must be borne in mind that no
radical changes in its organic law would De
necessitated, and to its present corps OF efil-
cient workers could be added those who have
heretofore devoted themselves to the advance
ment of the league.
To establish system of hotels ana local
consuls, to afford legal protection to It's MEM
bers, to facilitate touring, to urnlsh 1nforma-
tion concerning roads and stopping places, to
continue the agitation for the betterment OF
highways, to secure needed legislation from
our Legislatures and Boards OF supervisors
this is the work before us. ALI this has been
done by the League Division. But, let me ask
you has it not beeli done by the efforts OF the
wneelmen of our State What aid has been
afforded by the National organization ? In
deed, the matter seems simple, the course Is
plain. 1t has become the duty of the Califor-
MIA Associated Cycling Clubs 10 step into the
breach and save cycling tor us here
l have gone thus fully into my reasons for
this resignation that there may be no misun-
derstanding as to what has 1nduced II. am
well aware of the tendency ON the part oil peo-
pie to ascribe an action OIL TINS klnu 10 per-
sonal pique or disappointment. But believe
a reading of this letter Will convince any one
that no such element has entered into the
have IN a MI n
ner in which we humiliated not ourselves, but
the wheelmen of California before those who
had succeeded by the means indicated in get
ting into control when we went 10 New York
after the National Assembly had adjourned
and strove in every way 10 effect some COM
promise with Potter, and were even denied u
hearing
taking occasion 10 thank Frank w. Fuller for
his able and energetic assistance to US In the
National Assembly. Mr.. Fuller left his busi-
manned there throug hout the session, all at
his own expense, and did splendid work for
us. He Certainly deserves the gratitude OF
every California wheelman.
l also wish to thank the members OF our
local board of officers, and of the committees,
both OF the present year and the past, Ior the
earnest work they have done and the results
they have accomplished, and to express the
hope that they VIII devote to the organization
which will take the place OF the league
division here the same energy and enthusi-
FRANK H. KERRIGAN
Vice Consul Henry h. Wynne will take
Judge Kerrigan's place as consul as long
as the division exists, which is not ex-
pected to be great while, inasmuch as a
ma aiority of the members Will withdraw
when the time expires.
1t is expected that not more than 500
out of the 1900 mem bers now in the divis-
ion will remain at the end of ninety days.
Others will withdraw as their member
ships run out, and within six months
there will not be enough members left to
support the division.
A meeting of the board OF governors of
the Californian Associated Cycling Clubs
is to be held at the Bay City Wheelmen's s
headquarters on April 3. and at this gath
ering the new organization that is ex-
pected to do so much for California
cycling interests, will be launched.