The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-16

&c time, and hold championship races
- tn principal feature of such meet. L
think that such "A meet would bs self-sus.
tainiI q and would dispose Of the cham
pionship In such manner that IL prop
erly conductor would be satisfactory to all
concerned
Il would recommend that the division
purchase q suitatls die and that all
championship prizes be- medals struck
from this die the first prize 10 be OF gold,
the second OF silver and the third OF
bronze
"rie matter Of giving Increased power
to local racing boards has aot received
the attention it deserves. / will merely
summarize the powers and limitations
which the local hoard should receiye. IL
should have entire control Of the Divis-
ion Cham mpionships. the granting OF all
sanctions except national circuit dates,
the appointing OF referees, aud the power
Of suspending any rider for cause, hut
the power OF making professionals should
be vested In the national board
'Tnat professional riders should to ad-
mitted to L.. A. w. membership has been
denied by successive national tassemblies.
Were tho l.. A. w. an amateur athletic
body, formed for the purpose Of promot-
ing amateur bicycle racing, It's position
would DO logical anf unassailnble, but
the L. A. w. sanctions p; OCCASIONAL rae
ing. ana Its main object is not to pro-
mote racing OF any kind by its sanction
and goveri.ment IL makes bicycle racing
for money an honorable means of obtain
ing living, and by denying to those who
cnooso racing as u career the privilege
or participating in their own government,
IL places itself in On indefensible position.
"Ihe season of 1897 has left its indelble
imprint upon the brightest page or the
history OF bicycle racing In our state.
The future with it's increased knowledge
an I'M
greater successes han the past. Let US
welcome the new year.
The finap ,ial statement presented by
Treasurer Nelson III. Gibbs was most sat
isfact0ry.
1t showed that during the year the re-
ceipts, including balance on hand De-
cemter !, 1884,. of s726 81 had reached
total of x.a95 63. That the expenditures
had been Sl244.g ~, leaving casn balance
i'm the treasury of sll50 66
The report OF the highway improve
ment committee presented by IT'S chair
man, Il. Richmond Parsons, contained
many valuable suggestions and stated
the work of the committee during the
past year. In brief 10 was: "Your high
way committee has sought 70 pursue the
same general policy as In 1895 and 1896.
that of lending 10 all workers for good
OF giving them rs mucn credit as possible
for the results. It Is gratifying to report
q noticeable change in the sentiment re-
garding our organization. Many people,
especially in the country who had formerly
referred TO anu regarded us as An unrsas-
enable horde. seeking to force the towns.
cities ana states to undertake expenditure
for our own personal pleasure solely, now
appreciate that We are working for no
special legislation, We ask for nothing
which Is not rs much for the benett OF
every user of the roads as ourselves. I"
After touching on the grooved rail mat
ter, he spoke Of what tno league had ac.
comp!ished In this relation, also men
tioning the favorable report of the :om-
inittee Of tho City Council on asphalt
In tracing the state aid movement he
told the members of the division OF the
men who are prominent in this move.
ment. He cited the stereopticon work
which the l.. A. W. had planned and told
of tha labor, OF l.. j. Harrison and Gen.
stone both of Washington, aud of
Phineas Conley and Joseph A. Latham of
Cranston.
The following resolutions were passed
by the meeting, after which and n general
talk, on Il. "A. w. work the meeting
adjourned:
Office OF road inquiry, United States De.
partment OF Agriculture, is a great factor
in tho good roads movement now per-
meating this state, therefore be 1t
Resolved, That we, memb bers of the
Rhode Island Division Of the League of
American Wheelmen, at this, our annual
meeting, do hereby tender our sincere
thanks TO Gen. t!oy Stone, director of
that office for the interest and attention
he has given TO this state, both personally
and by detailing his chisf expert, Mr.. r.
q. Harrison, to Rhode Island.
Whereas We have observed with pri de
and satisfaction the work OF His Excel
lency Gov. Dyer in behalf Of the cam
paign of education and agitation for good
roads now being conducted in this state
therefore be it
Resolved, That We, members of the
Rhode Island Division Of the League OF
American Wbeelmen, Mt this our annual
meeting, 10 hereby take the opportunity
publicly TO express our approval aud
grateful appreciation of his efforts.