The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-18

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| NJ MFHST gave free cycle
NEESS transportation as
:-N\IHtSH-N baggage Those
i T7S\<%PS&~' - were few who re-
ceived the benefits in those days but the
time came when there was to be no
Bicycle Baggage" free within our
State.
The North Carolina Division of the
League Of American Wheelmen, soon
after the railroads issued their orders to
employees to charge extra for Cycle
Baggage" took the matter in hand and
their State attorney, Hon. Henry L.
Cook, Of Fayetteville, prepared bill
known as the Bicycle Baggage Bilr'
and had the same introduced into the
State Legislature. Mr.. Cook and others
appeared before the committee to which
the bill had been referred and finally
through their efforts they succeeded in
having the bin reported back to the
House without prejudice. This bill, had
it passed the house would have been a
great victory for the 10000 cyclists in
North Carolina, but it was also doomed
to die the death with the famous 600
that lie still upon the calendar.
However, it was but short while az
ter the adjournment Of the Legislature
that the justice of the bill was recognized
by the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley
Railroad and by the Seaboard Air Line.
On the first of April the following or
der was issued by the Seaboard Air
Line and shortly afterwards the Cape
Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad issued
an order similar in substance.
Portsmouth, Va, April /, 1897.
TO Agents, Baggage Masters, Conductors
and connecting lines:
Taking effect at once, this company
will transport bicycles over its lines free
lof charge, when accompanied by passen-
gers presenting regular passage tickets
or passes. Owners must sign release
Form B. D.. ~, and IT. Il. c." check
from b. ID. As, agreeing TO hold this COM
pany harmless against loss or damage
while bicycles are in transit
One bicycle, only, viii be checked and
transported free for each passenger
holding proper transportation, and for
warded on first train ON which it can
be conveniently carried. All employees
of the Baggage Department are eau
toned to handle them with all possible
care at all times. They are of delicate
and fragile construction, and every pre-
caution must be taken for their safe
handling.
Agents will return to this office by
first train all bicycle checks now ON
hand, and should tag bicycles until new
bicycle checks reach you, which will be
within a few days.
H. w. B. GLOVER,
Traffic Manager
T. J. ANDERSON,
Gen. Pass. Agent.
Thus the first point in the great fight
the League of American Wheelmen is
making has been won but it is not all
that they desire. The officials and MEM
bers OF the League greatly appreciate
this marked courtesy on the part of the
two roads mentioned and doubt not
| that the orders are to be permanent for
they are in the right direction and cover
all the points desired by the League men.
However, the fight Is only begun and in
conversation with one OF Fayetteville's
most prominent and enthusiastic wheel
men, I learned that the next Legislature
would probably be petitiOned by thou
sands of cyclists requesting that their
rights be recognized and that such laws
be passed as would make every railroad
in the State carry free of charge any
cycle when accompa MED by the owner.
Moreover" said the Wheelmen, 1--WE
will get what we ask for in
this line from the next Cen
eral Assembly. We expect to get free
| transportation for wheels and we be-
lieve that when the proper railroad au-
thorties look into the matter they will
see the good that will come to them by
returning favors to the wheelmen."
DO you imagine for a Moment said
he, that true wheelman would pa
tronize one road which shows him no
courtesy as long as there was, just as
convenient, another road which ac-
knowledged 'Wheelmen's Rights
All over the State you win find Tar
Heel cyclists, some too, who seldom
think of taking their wheels with them,
who are just as enthusiastic as the one
mentioned and it is probably safe to say
that the fellowship between wheelmen
will be the greatest cause of that lengthy
list Of names to petition the next General
Assembly. The Eighteenth annual meet
of the League of American Wheelmen,
to be held in Philadelphia during the
next month, will gather into that city
about $4,000 wheelmen and almost every
road in America will transport bicycles
accompanied by owners free. Scracely
any roads have been requested to do
this, but voluntary letters from officials
of several OF the roads which charge
"cycle transportation" have been re
ceived at the League of American Wheel
men national headquarters, notifying the
cyclists of their intention to carry
wheels free over their roads during the
The cyclists will have sympathizers in
every town from the mountains to the
seashore in this State and thousands
from other States.