The San Francisco call., 1897-02-23

wheeling interests, and representatives
from the different papers.
As is pretty generally known the pur-
pose OF the North California division in
sending its delegates East was to secure
an amendment TO the racing rules provid-
ing for divisional option on the question
OF Sunday racing, that is, that each State
should have the right to decide for itself
whether or not it would sanction cycle
racing on Sunday. This division was en-
titled 10 seven delegates, two OF whom,
Mr.. Welch and Judge Frank III. Kerrigan,
went in person, carrying the proxies Of
the other five. In New York City they
met Frank w. Fuller, who accepted q
proxy, went with them to Albany and
materially assisted in the work.
Mr.. Welch felt rather tired on his return
last night, but said to CALL reporter that
he was glad to be home and among his
friends once more, and to have an oppor-
tunity to express himself on the L. A. w.
1--WE went there" he said, lex pecting
that we were going to at least quasi
fraternal association, to deal with q lot OF
fair, generous men. We found them sour
selfish and narrow-minded. We received
absolutely no courtesies from any of them,
and, accustomed as we were to the warm
hearted hospitality of Californians, the
surprise was most complete.
ITO show you how little sympathy the
L. A. w. has for its racing interests-at
the time we we're discussing the admission
of professionals to mem bership, which
was defeated, by the way, ana the argu-
ment was made that We controlled them
and yet allowed them no representation,
the reply was that we did not ask them
to come to US, they sought US and asked
for our protection. If they don't like
what they get, let them get down and out.
During the argument on SUNDAY rae
ing one man from Louisiana was telling
how badly they needed it there; tnat
meets were only held on Saturdays or
holidays and tracks were financial loss
or had to be abandoned entirely. l saw
and heard men in that IDLY nudge
each other and say they were glad to
hear it.
"As a matter of course, the L. A. ".
does not care a snap for racing. It's hue
and-cry is good roads; and yet that is the
biggest farce in the world. There is abso-
lutely no interest in 1t and the l.. A. w, is
not creating any. l saw that man Potter
presiding at a good roads meeting at
Albany and listened to some crank tell
how you could put down cloth and lay
asphalt or macadam on it and make a
splendid road. The good roads banquet
was farce. There was to be night ses-
sion of the Good Roads Congress, so the
mem bers of the Legislature could attend.
Well, l believe there were six peo pie
present, newspaper men included. 1t was
an awful fizzie. Nobody of any import
ance took any notice of 1t. The league
gets its prestige and its name from its
racing interests, the very thing those
shortsighted Fasteners are trying to
down.
Now, the position I take is Just this:
At present we cannot do much, although
illinois, Missouri. Colorado and all the
Western States, save and except that little
South California division, are only wait
ing for US to take the initiative and they
will follow. But there must be some or
ganization. some head to it, and, who is
going to tskeit2 There must be somebody
OF character and energy to take hold of it
and the trouble is those who have been
doing the most talking have no standing.
What l suggest is that we first wait
and see what action the executive COM
mittee takes al its NEE ting in New York
tomorrow. Kerrigan is there and will
ask them to instruct the racing board not
to suspend any riders who race in Califor-
nia on Sunday. IL they agree to this our
point is partly gained and we can struggle
along for while longer. II not it is time
10 call meeting OF the local board of off,
GERS and discuss what action is TO be taken.
"If the racing board gets into shape and
circuit is arranged TO start from here,
and many Eastern riders come here, per-
haps it would be best to wait until thev
have gone. Our tracks cannot exist a.,