The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-03
NATIONAL L. A. w. MEET.
Indianapolis May Bid for the One
in 1898.

The perfection of the organization of the
Associated Cycling Clubs of Indianapolis
has again revived the talk of securing the
national l.. A. w. meet for this city next
year. There are reasons to believe that
Indianapolis can get the meet if it will ask
for II and back up the request by the as
surance that by the time of holding it the
city will have a cycle track worthy of such
a great event. Omaha is really the only
other applicant for the meet. There are
scores of Eastern cities which would be de-
lighted to have the big event come their
way but it is understood that it is to come
West next year. 1t will be held this year
at Philadelphia, and next year, according
TO the late policy of the executive commit
tee, 1t must come west of the Allegheny
mountains
Omaha set up claim for the meet
year ago, and has persistently pushed that
claim ever since. At the last national
meet held in Louisville there was large
delegation present from Omaha to manu-
facture sentiment in favor of the claims of
their city. This year the city of Omaha
through its commercial organizations, has
taken the matter up money has been sub
scribed and guaranteed and preparations
are being made to so after the meet much
after the methods employed by cities in Sc
curing large conventions. Next month
contingent of fifty representative citizens
or Omaha, including the leading bicycle
thustasts and representatives of the COM
merciai bodies will go to PHILADELPHIA for
the purpose of creating an impression ia
Vorable to their city. They will travel in
special cars and will go in a style cacu-
lated to impress league members with the
hospitality and generosity of Omaha. They
Will travel al the expense of the city and
may have a little money to spend for "ex-
penses that will be furnished by the city.
If Omaha gets the meet, ii is promised TO
he made one Of the main faat,,roe ~ ~
transmssissppi exposition TO be held
TIER there; Tb he =, city already has a representa-
the larger delegation.
But, Notwithstanding the efforts of
Smaha, Indianapolis, II is believed, can
have the meet if 1t is desired The selec-
ton Of the place for holding the next meet
IS not 10 be made at the national meet at
Philadelphia next month. nor it is to be
made by vote of league members, but by
the executive committee of the league con-
sisting OF the president and two vice pres
ldents The meeting for deciding upon the
place VIII not be held until February and
tnat is ample time for indianapolis to make
al arrangements TO defeat Omaha's plans
1T is known that there is a strong feeling
against going so far West among league
members and. of course, their desires are
complied with as far as possible by the ex-
ecutlVe committee. The center of popula-
uoh OF the United States is in Indiana but
the center of the population of league
members nip IS east of the Aleghenies The
protest or the members against going so
Tar as Omaha is, therefore, reasonable 1t
VIII prevent thousands from attending the
meet who would attend IL il We're held not
Iurther from the center of league popula-
ton than Indiana.
This is the strongest reason favorable to
Indianapolis There is also strong feel
ing OF friendliness toward the Indiana d.
vision Of the l.. A. w, and this with the
excellent reputation Indianapotis has
throughout the East as convention citv
will win the big national event if II il
wanted - -
The national meet of the l.. 4 w would
be worth as much TO the city as nati0naf
political convention of either of the two
leading parties. 1t is estimated that the
meet at Philadelphia this year will hiring
70 that city $4,000 visitors, who will remai1
firm two days 10 Il week. averapino nossi
bly, three days each. The grand Stand M
the race track is built to ACCOMMODATE %
900 people and there are grave do,,bts
about the seating capacity beins, on 49,,
70 accommodate the crowds on the hipeest
day. To bring the meet this way il Il nor
expected that near so many peopIe would
attend, but half as many as go to PhiladeI
phia would certainly take in the meet at
indianapolis. This is a low estimate This
would mean 5000 visitors in the citv for a
week. Thc money spent in hotel and other
biiis AID purchases would be an enormous
sum, and well worth the effort of any city
10 secure. 80
1t Is the chance for Indianapolis 10 Sc
cure hrsi-elass cycle track Business
mon ia all lines would probably subgcrfhs
literally 70 stock in a company fer he
purpose OF buying ground and building