The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-12
NEW L. A. w. PRESIDENT
CHIEF CONSUL POTTER. OF NEW
YORK, CHOSEN On FIRST BALLOT.
Reports of Retiring President Elliott
and Chairman George ID. Gideon
of the Racing Committee.

Albany NJ Y, Feb. 1.-THE battle of
the ballots of the l.. A. W. assembly for
the high office of president is now a thing
of the past, and for the next year Chief
Consul Potter. of New York, will rule the
destinies of the American wheelmen. w.
r. Connolly, OF Illinois. who was candi-
date himself for the Office, but seeing that
he was beaten. swung his men in line for
Potter and made the speech placing the
name of Mr.. Potter in nomination for
president. 1t was left to Chief Consul Will
lam Kempin. of Ohio to place the name of
President Sterling Elliott, of Massachusetts,
before the convention for reelection. Ev-
cry time the speaker mentioned Mr.. Eli
otis name great applause ensued. 1t took
some little time TO count the ballots, but
when the result was announced it was
found that out of 2s1 votes cast Potter had
received 155 Mr.. Elliott 115 and one blank.
After the result was announced Mr.. Potter
mounted the platform and made a few brief
remarks.
This was the full ticket elected: Presi-
dent Isaac Il. Potter of New York: first vice
president. A. c. Morrison. Milwaukee, Wis. !;
second vice president. C. r. Kireker. Pat
erson, N j.: treasurer. J. w. Clanden-
ming. Covington. Ky. Auditing committee
j. Vanort Pennsylvania: George l.. Nc
Carthy. New York; ]. Fred Adams. Massa-
The president and treasurer submitted
their reports at the morning session. That
of President Elliott shows a present mem
bership of 740l6, a gain Of about - per
cent. over that of 1890. The balance in the
treasury is 5000. My experience" says
the president. has fully satisfied me that
the most effective way TO spread the gospel
of good roads is through the regular stand
ard publications. which are read by those
whom We wish TO convert. Our Good
Ill s -alr III.
help was not a success a miss onary.
for the reason that it was taken and read
only by those people who already agreed
with the sentiments. Last April L closed
an arrangement with the Canadian customs
authorities by which members OF the
League of American Wheelmen are permit
ted TO enter wheels into Canada without
the payment of duty which is ordinarily
required. i believe that one of the most
available remedies for the disease of bicycle
kleptomaqia is to pass laws which will in
sure very severe penalties for this kind of
theft. The value OF the newspapers to the
cause of the L. A. w. cannot be overesti-
mated The organization is mentioned mill
lions of times during the year. and the i'm
preston given the reader is usually favor
able The various press bureaus established
in some OF the States are potent influence
toward the acquiring of any new men,
bers.'
Chairman George D. Gideon of the racing
committee. in submitting his report stated
that the year 1886 had witnessed the great
est racing season in the history of the l..
"A. w. LIE TdclnR throughout was OF the
sharpest. cleanest kind. The number of
suspensions during the year for terms ex-
ceeding thirty days was 1.396. of which sew
enty were permanent. AT the close of 1895
there were but ninety professionals. At
the beginning of this year we had about
seven hundred; now there are 1873 a far
greater need is for official judges and
timers. The judges at some of last year 5
meets were unsatisfactory in the extreme.
1T. has also been demonstrated" Mr..
Gideon said, that an entirely separate and
distinct series of amateur and professional
championships should be provided. Road
racing should, in a measure. be controlled
by the l. A. w. and the sanctoning of six
day races should be discouraged. Such
races are in NO sense an advantage to the
sport. 1t is believed by your board that
the division option should be permitted i'm
regard TO Sunday racing. We have in this
State fifty-two men suspended for Sunday
racing. whose term will expire July / next
and who should be granted an amnesty if
the restrictions on Sunday racing are re-
moved. In regard to Titus's application for
reinstatement the board considered the case
and feeling that he we'll deserved the pun
ishment inflicted. refused to entertain It.
AS regards State control of racing we
should go slow
On motion of Albert b. Mott of Mary
land. the money in the hands of the racing
board, amounting TO 81. 300 was ordered
paid TO Chairman Gideon as his salary.