The San Francisco call., 1897-02-12
WHEELMEN HAVE
NEW OFFICERS
National League Elects Mr..
Potter Of New York
President.
Membership, Income and Dis.
burSements Have Doubled
During the Year.
Racing Season of 1896 CIR, ater Than
Ever-Esstern r i roads Charge
for Wheels.

/
acrimony and the injection of an issue
political rather than technical, Isaac B.
/ Potter of New York to-day was elected
president of the League of American
Wheelmen by q vote OF 155 to 115 for
Sterling Elliott, the present head of the
organization and the principal opponent
of Mr.. Potter. For first vice president,
/ A. Cressy Morrison OF Wisconsin WAS re-
elected and Frank c. KirkikeI of Paterson,
| n. j., was elected second vice president.
For treasurer the result was entirely
unexpected, ]. w. Clendening OF Irving
! ton, Ky, being elected over +. kestom-
latsky of Iowa by 141 to 124. Clendening
was Elliotts candidate. J. Fred Adams
of Massachusetts, ]. Van Ort of Pennsyl-
vania and G. L. Mccarthy of New York
were elected as the auditing committee
without opposition
The election of officers was not reached
on the programme until late in the after
noon. When nominations for president
were declared in order w. f. Connolly OF
Illinois said that what he was to say was
| in opposition TO the wishes of his delega-
ton, but be was there in the interests of
the l.. A. W. He feelingly and eloquently
referred to the leagues past and its future
l. was important that officers of the
soundest Judgment be selected. He said
there was one man in the assembly that
met all requirements and stood above all
others. He continued in an Impressive
tone and then presented the name of Isaac
B. Potter of New York as candidate for
president. AS the name escaped his lips a
tumult of applause resounded through the
hall.
William Kempton. chief consul of Ohio.
followed, and in few brief remarks nom-
mated Sterling Elliott amid great ap-
plause. He said Mr.. Elliotts record spoAe
for itself, and no nobler man could be
found for the office.
w. II. Tucker of Pennsylvania, D. E.
Miller of Massachusetts, and 7. T. Sheri-
dan of Illinois seconded the nomination
OF Elliott on behalf OF their States. w. S.
Jenkins OF Buffalo spoke at some length
to second Potter's nomination. George L.
Cooke of Rhode Island seconded Elliott's
nomination. Hon. A. B. Choate of Min
neapolis said ii was necessary to put for
ward the strongest man Tor president.
He seconded the nomination of /. b,
Potter.
The nominations were declared closed.
<. \. Hines of Michigan, George Cooke of
Rhode Island and George Pennell of New
YORK were appointed as teiers. A secret
ballot was taken. The secretary announced
the vote for president as follows: J. B.
Potter OF New YORK 155, Sterling Elliott of
Boston lis, blank l.
One vote more than the mum ber OF dele
gates was cast, and it was thoug that
some one would question the validity OF
the vote on this account, but no mention
was made of this fact. Sterling Elliott
moved 10 make Mr.. Potter's election
unanimous, and this was carried. When
the result was announced three cheers
were given by the delegates for President
elect Potter and retiring President Elliott
But little time was spent in electing the
remainder OF the ticket. At this morn
ing's session President Elliott submitted
his annual report.
Secretary BassetJ submitted his annual
report showing that the total mem bership
on February l. 1896, was 80. 1913, and on
February 1 last. 73. 742, a gain of 34,419
members. Mr.. Bassett said that during
the ten years he had acted as secretary he
| has enrolled l5O, 7S3 applications for mem
bership and had received and disbursed
| $465 6S1.
| In his report Mr.. Bassett said: "Our in
come for 1896 was $l27,495. The best pre-
vious record was $50, ,35l, less than half.
! We have distributed $72 5S4 among the di-
visions; the previous record, $35. 178, les
! than half Our merchandise safes ow
an income OF $377S and profit of $749.
! The Bulletin cost US above what We re-
| ceived from subscribers $6117."
l. B. Potter of the improvement TO high
ways com mittee read a lengthy report.
he said the work was gaining strength
and legislation was progressing on this
/ question in twelve States. He referred to
roads IN European countries where the
! Government controls them. He urged all
wheelmen to use their best efforts to Sc
cure this reform in their own States. He
( said opposition from the farmers was due
! to lack of knowledge.
The transportation committee reported
that it had found that the railroads had
determined TO fix a charge for carving
! bicy cles. Efforts had been m ade in many
| OF the States 10 secure the passage of
bill similar to the Armstrong bill in this
State, and the charm an had hopes of it
! being adopted in all States except Yer
mont and Georgia, where it had been de-
feated. A number OF Western roads con-
seDted to carry bicycles. free. He ex-
| pected that in short time all the trunk
| lines will bs in line with the others.
George d. Gideon, chairman of the Ma
! tional Racing Board, was introduced amid
a storm of applause. He said the racing
season OF 1896 was greater than ever be-
! fore. The board had great deal of diff
| Guilty In keeping the amateur ranks from
abuse. There are 1896 profe. sionals in the
| country, and the sport was clean, having
| opened new field for men to obtein an
| honorable livelihood. Forty-seven Ma
! tional meets b I'D been held and 1858 sane
! tions had been issued.
Albert B. Mott of Maryland moved that
the balance received from the racin q
board be paid to Mr.. Gideon for his salary
for the past two years. Adopted.