The Indianapolis journal., 1897-04-20
TO PROTECT WHEELMEN
AN ORGANIZATION FORMED TO LOOK
AFTER INTERESTS OF CYCLING.
Meeting at DenisOn Last Night-The
"ROad Hog Must Go-LOcaI
Cycling Notes.

There was formed last night in the Cen
tury clubrOom at the Denison House an
organization of wheelmen which will, il
its aims and objects are carried out, Oc-
cupy an important place. 1t is not a club
in the sense that wheelmens club is gen.
orally taken. The organization does not
expect to make the social side of the club
feature, nor does it intend TO take an or
ganized interest in cycle sporting. 1t is to
be a protective federation. The wheel and
the wheelman has heretofore been an OBJ
ject of contempt with all but riders of the
wheel.
1t is the purpose of the club to bring
about different feeling in the minds OF
the nonriders, especially those who have
it in their power TO take any advantage OF
the wheelmen. 1t will be a defensive rather
than an offensive movement. unless the lat
ter course is forced upon the organization.
The rights of wheemen in the streets and
to the protection of law are TO be made
the fundamental principle of the organiza-
ton. If legislation is proposed which would
be unjust to the wheelmen, ii is the object
of the organization to fight it, If legsla-
ton which would be favorable to the wheel
men, without encroaching upon the rights
of others, is proposed, the organization
u.
sand bicycle riders in this city and about
half as many who use other vehicles. 1t
is the purpose of the new organization to
protect the riders of wheels from the i'm
position of the drivers of the other
hicles. All the city ordinances regulating
the use of the bicycle, such as that
quiring bell and lamp, are lndorSed. ana
the association will do all in its power 10
aid the authorities In enforcing them.
SaR Rrph hfper 10 a he l.
men are to be encouraged in obedience TO
the ordinance requiring them TO Keep on
the right side of the street but the organl-
cation believes that regulations which are
good for the wheel ought TO apply equally
10 other vehicles. and the organization will
make an effort to that these laws are
made to so apply. Protection is the main
object. though other objects, such as the
social feature OF clup anu attentlon TO
racing and sporting matters may be en-
braced in the functions of the cub when
the organization is perfected.
The objects of the organization and the
plan of work proposed is best outlined in
the report of committee which was read
last night There was meeting held last
Wednesday night and the plan was talked
over by the few who were present. At that
time Messrs. +. j. Reinhard. Wallace Sher-
wood and l.. +. Clark were appointed 10
put the ideas expressed at the meeting In
written form. They prepared a report,
which read last night.
THE OBJECT OUTLINED.
In part the renort was as follows:
''The object of the organization is to
cure the rights of wheel riders in this city
not a club whose sole object is to promul-
gate club runs, and secure good time
generally for its members, but one which
will by the persistent work OF its members
accomplish its objects. Such an organiza-
tion is needed in our midst. The rights
which wheel riders have obtained in this
city are the work of few individual riders.
AS the result of an organization nothing
has been accomplished for the reason that
no such organization exists. The power
such an organization could exercise for the
benefit of wheel riders is tremendous. Every
person. excepting So-called road hogs,
recognizes the benefit of the Keep TO the
right ordinance yet, for many months
| previous TO its passage in the Council that
same ordinance was presented to dlfferent
| councilmen TO be introduced and not one
| dared to introduce IL for fear some of his
| constituents might vote against him at the
| next election. Then 1T was fathered by the
law That was the result of organiza-
| 'Such an organization as is contemplated
| should also see to it that all laws regard
| ing the wheel riders are enforced The
| keep TO the right ordnance the lantern
| ordinance the license ordinance, the or
| dinance prohibiting fast riding. and all
/ kindred ordinances ought to be strictly en-
| forced, and as soon as the wheelmen OF
| this city will show the people that they obey
/ the law and assist the authorities i'm prose-
/ cutting the violators of the ordinances. then
| we will be in a position TO obtain further
rights. There are a NUMBER OF irreSpohsI-
| dances regarding the riding OF bicycles and
| by their conduct and imprudence bring OPP
| probrium upon every wheel rider in the
| city Ii is to the interest of wheel riders
1 that every one of these be arrested and
| prosecuted
/ After removing the beams out of our
| eyes we can lend our assistance I'm remOv-
/ ing the hogs from the street by the prose
| clition of those drivers who continuously
1 drive i'm the middle or the left side of the
! streets: also TO look after the street-sweep-
| ing and street-sprinklins contractors and
i see that the streets are kept clean and that
[ no more sprinkling is done than is required
| under the contract. Then an ordinance re-
! auiring all vehicles TO carry lights after
/ dark and an ordinance effectively prohibit
| ine; the throwing of glass, tacks and other
| puncture-producing articles into the streets
| can be secured
The organization last night was made
| Temporary only by the election of Wallace
| Sherwood. president, and l.. r. Clark, sec
| retary. Another meeting is called for next
| " ednesday night, when the objects of the
| organization will be further discussed and
| when IL Is hoped there will be a large at
| tendance and that permanent organiza-
| ton can be erected The melting next
Wednesday mig will be held in the Cen