Evening star., 1897-05-08
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District of Columbia Division.

District of Columbia Division.
Washington has hot felt the power Of
the wheelmen and does not appreciate to
what an extent this power is in other sec
tons OF the country. In almost any state
IN the country any reasonable request Is
granted them by the different legislatures.
A few years ago the wheelmen found it
very hard work to secure their rights, and
victories were secured only after the hard
est kind of work. Every one but rider
was prejudiced against the bicycle, and
against those who were thought to be so
foolish as to risk their necks on the wheel,
but as time wore on this has disappeared
to great extent, and it has continued to
grow until all quarters of the earth show
the triumphant march of the wheemen s
power The opponents of the wheel are
now In the minority, and to such pitiful
extent that the wheelmen no sooner ask
Tor wish than it is granted. Grasping
corporations bend their proud neckS and
grant rights, which, years before, they
would have fought to the last inch. Good
roads bills have been passed, cycle paths
built, railroads compelled to carry wheels
free as baggage. convicts put to work on
the road. and toll gates thrown open to the
cycling public This is due to the efforts of
the League of American Wheelmen, who
have spent money in every direction for
the causes Of good roads and the cyclists
rights. Possibly the district less affected
by the wheelmen is the city of Washing
ton and the District of Columbia, and this
is solely due to the fact that the city has
no governmental power to be affected by
the wheelmens vote. But its effect will
soon be felt here, as the District member
ship is rapidly gaining, and is now one of
the largest organizations In the city, and
1t will not be but short time before the
organization intends to ask the support of
other states in asking for the rights which
should be accorded the wheelmen Of Wash
ington.
New Members.
Paul G. Brock, Congressional Hotel; w.
N. Cogan, 1854 M street northwest; r. H.
Ford, United States coast and geodetic
survey; VIM. G.. Greenwell, 30s 4th street
southeast; Ross P. Hunt, 2O2 4th street
southeast; Carl F. Mayer. general land
office; r. c. Mckinney, United States geo.
logical survey; George A. Malley, 2071s
Pennsylvania avenue; Thos. ]. Reed, 14th
and H streets; E. H. Shuster. Interior De-
partment: VIM. Stranahan, United States
geological survey: VIM. NJ. Stockbridge,
1890 w street: H. L. Thompson, United
States coast and geodetic survey; c. G.
Van Hook. 1l3" 14th street r. C. Williams.
sixth auditors office; jerome N. Bonaparte,
1927 K street: Benz. Bevan, 1915 Corcoran
street; Miss M. Barrow, 912 10Th street:
F. S. Emmons. 1893 New Hampshire
avenue; s. A. Staunton, 1405 AZ street.
Renewal of Applications.
3. r. Hahn, 233 Pennsylvania avenue
southeast; Richard Ware, city.
u League Runs.
Rain has prevented the last three league
runs The next will be on the 18th, start
ing from, 18th and K streets, and will be
city run, and is one which is most en-
joyed by the members. The next Sunday
run will take place on the 10th, and will
be to Rockville; Nd.
Eastern Division, l.. A. w.
A. Girouard, the consul fer the eastern
division has begun his work by writing
the following letter to the Commissioners:
Il beg to call your attention to the bad
condition OF the crossing Of the Belt line
at 1st and F streets northwest, which
crossing is not only dangerous to the peo-
pie riding bicycles. but also to carriages.
The cobble stones between the tracks at
said crossing should be replaced and the
repaving done in accordance with the law
and regulations governing the paving be-
tween tracks of street railroa is in this
district.
II beg further to call your attention to
the bad paving outside and inside of the
lexington Street Railway Company at 4th
and streets northeast, which paving is so
much used up as tc make the crossing over
said tracks dangerous.
"On behalf of the large number of Wheel
men who every day have to travel over the
streets referred to above j am in the hope
that your honorable body will consider this
matter favorably, and order the crossings
mentioned to be repaired"