The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-29
LITTLE HOPE FOR OMAHA
THE NEBRASKA CITY'S CHANCES
FOR l.. a. W. MEET DIMINISH FAST.
Bicycle Cranks Out There QuarreIinE
Over the Way Her Boomers
%Ost to indianapolis.

The Western Cyclst, a paper published
at Omaha contained in it's issue of Aug.
10 a letter from the editor of the
American Wheelnan to a citizen of
Omaha criticising the conduct of
the Omaha delegation at Philadel-
phia. The letter was severe and it is sur
prising that a paper which is published in
Omaha and ought to be a supporter of that
city for the 1898 meet should have given it
space. A part of the criticism was upon
Mr.. r. w. Fitch, the only Omaha repre-
sentative who succeeded in getting himself
interviewed while in Philadelphia In this
weeks Western Cyclst Mr.. Fitch answers
the letter of the editor of the American
Wheelman and in his own letter he says
some things which he PROBABLY would not
have said had he deliberated maturey on
the subject His references to the actions
of the Indianapolis delegation at Philadel-
phia are little short of scurrilous and not
worthy OF q reply from the friends OF In
dianapons. 1t can only result in belittling
Mr.. Fitch and his cause when he
says regarding the alleged fight among the
Omaha delegates for leadership among
themselves:
THE Omaha boys had no occasion for a
leader, and the statement made in that
letter was absolutely false. / was at Phia-
delphia and heard and saw nothing of this
nature excepting the statement made to
me by the clerk at the Walton Hotel the
headquarters of the Indianapolis delegation,
VINO told me that a banker named Ford
was stopping there, and that he stated that
Omaha did not want the 1898 league meet
OF the American Wheelmen,' and further
stated that the Omaha parties in Philadel-
phia who were working for the meet were
not authorized by Omaha authorities
There was no occasion for these remarks
from Mr.. Ford and much less for such a
state of affairs as was mentioned in the
Mccarthy letter. J have written Mr.. Nc
for hi r.p Ea1fo
the names of the parties he claims were
hghtihS for leadership. q don't know
of WHAT, in order Ter, that his answer
bly, started by friends of the indianapolis
delegation In order to injure Omaha and
help indianapolis. The indianapolis 'advo-
of Omaha's boys in order to rob him of but
tons and badges and destroy them-why
should they be too GOOD to start such a
rumor?"
Indianapolis is making an honorable fight
Tor the 1898 meet and does not care to cross
thor of this letter. 1t is not necessary to
deny the insinuations quoted above and
they are quoted only to show the line of
battle which is being waged by the Council
Bluffs suburb, whose only argument in ia
for Of securing the 1895 meet is that it can
make the meet a side show to a cattle
Another paragraph in Mr. Fitch's letter
would furnish choice morsel for the peo-
pie OF Philadelphia. 1t is as follows:
Omaha made good fight and outside of
philadelphia, which l venture to state was
bought by indianapolis before Omaha ar
rived on the ground, the sentiment of the
delegates was for Omaha, and still is, un-
less ii is ruined by home kickers' and pub
LEGATIONS founded on rumor."
The people of Philadelphia are the best
Judges of the manner in which Omaha and
indianapolis waged their campaign for fa-
Nor at the recent meet, They will probably
smile at the rawlings of Mr.. Fitch and agree
with the people of Indianapolis. who have
concluded that Omaha is chagrined because
indianapolis has stepped in at the eleventh
hour and snatched the prize from a citv
which Is showing itself unworthy of it,