The record-union., 1897-03-15
TROUBLE AMONG WHEELMEN.
The North California Division Will Leave
the [. 4. ".
A Lively neeting at the Clubhouse
of the Bay City Wheel
men.

a.
Wheelmen on this coast, and that the
North California Division will go to
pieces. This much, the San Francisco
Chronicle" says, was plainly evident
at the meeting of the Division Board
of Officers on Saturday night at the
clubhouse of the Bay City Wheelmen
The meeting was called chiefly to re-
ceive the report of MesSrs. Kerrigan
and WEIGH, delegates to the National
Assembly, and the seriousness of the
situation, caused by the action of the
assembly in treating Californa's re-
quests so disdainfully, had the effect
of calling out a large and very repre-
sentative attendance. In addition to
Chief Consul Kerrigan and Secretary
Treasurer Scovern, there were present
George II. Strong of the Reliance Club
Wheelmen, a. z. Swain of the Acme
| Club Wheelmen, j. S. Egan Of the I'm
| perial Cycling Club George H STRAIT
ton of the Olympic Club Wheelmen,
Jules and Victor Hancock of the Bay
City Wheelmen, James F. Coffroth of
the Olympic Cyclers, w. l. Pixley of the
| San Francisco Road Club, Henry F.
| Wynne of the California Cycling Club,
| WEIGH opened the proceedings by
reading a very exhaustive report of the
situation, urging a enforcement of the
cycle racing interests from the control
of the League of American Wheelmen.
He advocated different measures to af-
ford relief, and suggested the California
Associated Cycling Clubs as the best
means
| WEIGH spoke at some length after pre-
senting his report, and created a mild
sensation when he stated that he would
allow his membership in the League of
American Wheelmen to lapse on the LIST
of April. Said he:
! I represent the Bay City Wheelmen
on this board, and l have to inform you.
! gentlemen, that on the LIST of April this
| club, composed of 1876 league members,
Will fail to renew their membership in
| the League of American Wheelmen.
For twelve years we have been faithful,
Woodworking members, but only a
! few days now remain, when we will be
| looking toward some other organization
! for protection"
| Chief Consul kerrigan followed this
| sensation with another, when he an
| nounced that on March Goth he would
resign as executive officer of the divi-
| sion, and on April LIST from the league
| proper.
| j. S Egan stated that the Imperial
| Club, having fifty-two League of
American Wheelmen members within
its ranks, would also allow it's member
ship to lapse on April 1st, while George
| II. Stratton informed the meeting that
/ CltIh
likewise.
The strongest speech of the evening
was made by Henry F. Wynne of the
California Cycling Club and Vice Con-
sui of the division.
Gentlemen" he said Il have been
deeply thinking, not only during the re-
marks that have just been made, but
for some time past. This is a momen-
tous question which is before US and
! the best course to pursue is a matter
! that should be considered with much
! deliberation. The North California di-
vision is, / am now convinced, tottering
upon its last legs. There are right III
this room gentlemen who are chiefly
responsible for the great growth of the
division during the past year, and with
them out of it what hope is there Tor
it's future success.
The backbone of the division is the
| clubs, and we have been informed to-
night that most of the latter will cease
| to exist as members after April 1st
| With the absence of the leaders and
| the clubs there will remain but a mere
shell of the old organization, which
cannot possibly survive. l myself viii
not renew my membership nor will any
of the club which L have the honor of
representing.
Gentlemen. in taking my seat, I re-
peat, the North California Division is
on its last legs"
| These remarks created a profound
! impression among those present, and
all eyes We're turned intently upon ex .
Chief Consul George FL. Strong, one of
| the organizers of the league proper, as
| he arose to take the floor Strong has
| been one of the stanchest supporters of
the league through all of this trouble
and opposed to the Sunday racing
question from the start. 1t was quite
| natural, then. that he should be ex-
| pected to make a determined fight
against anything being done detrimen-
tai to the League of American Wheel
men. While doing so to a certain ex-
tent he produced a sensation by MAX
| ing the following statement during the
! course of his speech: From what |
have heard here tonight, l must say,
with great reluctance, however, that l
am convinced the North California
| Division is doomed
After adjournment, an informal dis
| cussion was held, during which a plan
of action was practically decided upon
, 1t is the idea to have the California
Associated Cycling Club absorb the
North California Division, as it were,
and assume control of all matters nov
handled by the division. In addition to
the club membership it is intended 60
include individual memberships
| throughout the State and furnish all
the advantages now furnished by the
league.
Each club is to have three represen-
tatiyes upon the Board of Governors,
as is the present system while The
membership in each county outside the
clubs, will organize and elect a dele
gate to the board
President Swain has called a special
meeting of the association for next
| Friday night at the clubhouse of the
Bay City Wheelmen to consider this
question.