Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-12-16

Interesting Information sent Out by the
League OF American wheelmed.
1t now seems probable that the efforts
of the executive committee of the L. A.
W. to secure the right of free entry Of
touring l.. A. W. members into Euro.
pean countries, without tine payment of
duty or enduring tho vexation and de-
lay OF making deposit with the cue.
toms authorities, will he entirely sue
cessful. The matter has been taken up
by the United States government aud
on October 10Th last Secretary Sherman
sent the following letter TO our EN-
bassador at Paris and similar letters to
tho United States embassies at Rome
and Berlin, and to the legations at
Berne and Brussels:
Sir: enclose herewith copy of a
letter addressed to me under date of
tho 10Th inst. by Mr.. Isaac Il. Potter,
president of the League of American
Wheelmen, in which he represents the
important standing OF that orgeniza
ton. enrolling as it does 100, 600 asso-
ciutes, the number of it's members who
visit European countries for recreation
and the desirability Of having that or
ganization placed in those countries
upon the same or a similar footing al
reciprocal privilege with other well
known associations of touring cyclists.
1t is presumed that the facilities
accorded 10 France 10 the British or
ganization, and others on the continent,
have been reached in virtue Of a re-
oiprocal understanding whereby the
formalitieH for the respective intro.
duGiiop Of cycles and the invors shown
TO the mentors have been specified.
You are authorized 10 bring the
matter informally at frat, and after
wards more formally should suitable
occasion for such course appear, TO
the notice of the government Of France
expressing the pleasure it would afford
this government TO sec convenient
and equitable interchange of courtesies
established in this regard. Should you
! find disposition TO favorahly consider
this suggestion, you will ascertain upon
what terms the proposed arrangement
might he Affected.
Respectfully yours,
John Sherman.
Meanwhile Joseph Pennell, j.. \. W,
representative in London, has been for
weeks plrsuing the SANS object, and u
letter has Just been received by Presi.
dent Potter from Mr.. Pennell, an.
nuuncing that tha Swiss and Belgium
governments have decided to grant the
application OF tho H. A. W. and only
the making out the necessary papers
rem aims to he done. a lettur has also
been received from he embassy at
Rome reporting favorable progress and
asking for quantity OF Simple
membership tickets of the Ia, a. w, for
use amung the Italian cuetums stations
The bicycle baggage contest will be
pushed by the l.. 4. W. in several
States az snon as the Legislative session
begins, and preparation is being madO
to sustain the wheelmen's contention
with greater yigor than ever. a bill
will also be introduced in Congress to
so amend the interstate aommerce law
as to cure certain oppressive practices
by which companies have lodged the
requirements of State laws, and pre-,
scribing more direct and ensy method
Of convicting offenders who violate the
present interstate law. Arrangements
are being made whereby Thousands nl
wneemen travelling to and from the big
meet next summer, as well as those
who travel and ship goods NJ other
Seasons Of the year, will give exclusive
preference to thuse railroad and steam
boat lines which carry bicycles as bag.
gage without imposing amy extra
charge, The same Tue will he pursued
in selecting official routes for IT, A, W.
members attending the National AS
Hembly at st. Louie, in February next.
President Potter OF the l.. a. W. is
preparing book on ''Cycle paths as
an addition TO the Coca Roaas Library
of the L. a. W. 1t will contain praGti.
cal hints on the construction OF these
pathe, will be fully illustrated and vii
appear early 10 the year.