The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-23
WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS.
bicycle Riders of Tacoma VIII At
tempt to Control Local Politics.

Special Dispatch TO the Post-Inteligencer.
TACOMA. Dec. 22.--Local wheelmen Will
IN all probability cut a wider swath at
the coming municipal election than those
not we'll informed seem TO count upon,
and IL Is not impossible that they may
actually elect a wheel mayor" as was
the case. according to report. when the
bicyclists OF Chicago voted for Mayor Har-
rison. Tacoma has long since been
acknowledged the wheel Mecca of this
part OF the country, and every member
OF the local organization is jealous of his
rights and the advantages the city fur
nishes TO riders. which are largely due TO
the work Of the wheelmen themselves
few days ago the local association
held Its annual meeting. at which officers
Tor the ensuing year were selected, and
on the same evening a private meeting
was called, at which the leading spirits u
the organization discussed the outlook as
10 new roads and other improvements IN
which the administration must necessarily
be materially concerned. The meeting
was held behind closed doors and those
present talked without reserve going into
the probable result 70 the wheeling inter-
ests should the election result this wav
or that, and generally exchanging views
relative TO politics as connected with .he
association and the advisahllity Of openly
T
able 70 their plans.
As the gathering was a secret one all
that was said and dona was not male
public, hut there seems 10 be no great
hesltancy on the part 81 the leaders
among the riders to have II become known
That they viii make their influence fei,
In favor Of such candidates for the coun-
Gil as are known 20 be friendly 20 the
plans Of The Wheelmen's Association. and
AN -szff -g.A
terS or Importance are At issue The NAV
crafty proposition Is viewed hv them in
ire same way. ard should their ideas he
carried out there * little reason 20 sia1v
tA2t they viii cut quite material figure
III the April election. They have nj.
viewed the question from a strictly roIltt-
cal standpoint from What IS to he learn
81, eut simply declare that candidates
VITO hope 20 get their support must ne
iavoraele to the wheelmen and their
plans. They talk "a II they viii not draw
the line as 70 political parties AMI win act
regardless ~ The tickets fl rhe field. work
ing for the men who Will best forward
their interests ana from whom they are
certain they may look for assistance
Tire ordinance providing fer bfevrl. H.
censire ana tAH expenditure os this money
IN wheelways and parklrEs makes i. nee
esSary. thar good results NAV follow. for
Una administration ana [6@ wheefmea to
he ~ 4 friendly footing SIS ths citv has
control - these improvements. The wheel
men appreciate ire Importance 81 a mayor
and council y touch with them. ard thus
Tar have had 10 reason 70 an1 fault with
the treatment they have received - ss
- Insure further satisfactory condition.
fAa' the wheelrrsu Tank they should usa
fAstr Influence II ne eIeCtscn to coma
Thsrs are more tran 80 licensed wAs,is
i re city. and II IS estimated from "a
- -" - these are owned bv vo,srs
Could hat o0s-tnirs ., these 'asts- IA
brought - cast heir votes ore way their
importance ~ NE election nav h~ easily
Understood sci from what has ALREADY
beer sasf and e2ae. Il "a rlair TIA. pros
pect.ve candidates grasp Ire s5.r,a,.e,