The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-20

cipal coast line steamers on both the
Atlantic and the Pacific coasts are in
Guided in this list, and all the big trans
Pacific lines to China, Japan and Aus
tralia are in line with the same policy.
In France all railroads carry bicycles
as ordinary baggage, and the increase
Of receipts within the last year, due
to wheelmen's patronage, has been very
substantial. The same effect Is noted
In this country, as shown in the case
of the Long Island Railroad company,
which last year carried about $4,000
cyclist passengers, and this year about
I5O,OOO, each paying full first-class
fare.
a committee Of the L. A. W. will
Wheelmen's association at Buffalo this
month to discuss matters Of interest
to the two organizations.
Cycle path construction along the
lines of country roads will be pushed
more vigorously in 1898 than ever be-
fore. From the practical experience
thus far gained it is shown that the
best surface for cycle paths is COM
posed of a thin dressing of crushed
sandstone. This material packs easily,
forms a smooth, elastic surface, with
just enough grit to "bite" the tire and
prevent slipping, drains quickly, resists
the formation of mud, and for ten
months in the year supplies an ideal
WheelWay. 1t is superior to the cinder
surface in that the latter sticks to
the rubber tire and is easily picked
up and Ioosened by passing wheels, and
In dry weather is blown off and scat
tered by strong winds. A cycle path
should be not less than five feet (bet-
ter six feeD in it's narrowest part. =
A bill will be introduced in the New
York legislature at its coming session,
providing for the general construction
OF cycle paths throughout the state.
The executive committee of the
League of American Wheelmen has ar
ranged for the purchase of large sup
ply of maps from the geological survey
department Of the United States gov
eminent and will dispose of these maps
among state divisions where they can
be used to facilitate touring and encour--
age the recruiting work of division Off
GERS. These maps are Of the finest
quality, being made at great cost from
accurate government surveys. They
show all roads and streets, town and
county lines, and even the location of
houses and other buildings, and are
therefore splendidly adapted to the
wants Of touring cyclists. These maps
are being mounted on muslin and fold
ed in convenient form for the pocket,
and will be ready for general distribu-
ton by February.
More than 81, 900 new members have
Joined the League of American Wheel
men since the meeting Of the national
assembly at Albany last February.
Informal announcement has been re-
ceived that the Swiss, Belgian and
Italian governments have decided to
admit touring L. A. w. members across
their frontiers without requiring the
payment of duty or the deposit of
money at the customs stations. This
privilege will be formally proclaimed
as soon as necessary papers are execut-
ed and filed by the officers of the L. A.
w. Sample membership tickets have
been forwarded to Paris. Berne, Brus-
sells and Rome for distribution among
the customs stations so that an l.. A.
w. membership ticket can be recog-
nized by comparison with the one on
hand at each station.