The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-13
NO SUNDAY RACE MEETS
LEAGUE OF AMERICAN wHEELMEN
PUTS ITSELF ON RECORD.
Proposition to Amend the COnstftu-
Defeated by a Vote of I61 to h.

ALBANY. n. Y, Feb. II. - What the
League of American Wheelmen. in annual
convention, to-day declined to do was of
equal Importance, of not greater than those
things it did. 1t declined to allow profess
SIGNALS, no matter Of what standing, TO
either full or associate membership in the
league 1t refused to allow the assembly
at its meetings to select the city for the
annual meets. 1t declined by heavy vote
to allow local option for Sunday racing.
1t declined TO cut off the club initiation
fee of 81 or allow consuls to pass upon
racing boards suspensions. 1t declined to
amend at all the section of the constitu-
ton that provides only for amateur riders
and draws the color line. 1t declined to of
fer a salary for the racing committee.
The things it dill were to divide the league
into consulates of twenty-five clubs each.
allowing amateurs to exchange their prizes
for anything but cash. increasing the bond
OF the secretary TO $4,000 and that of the
treasurer to $1,000, and placing road racing
under the espionage of the racing board.
Al the Assemblys morning session
the convention rejected the amendment
proposed by Mr.. Brock, that no member
snail be expelled or deprived of any of the
benefits of the league without the sanction
or the chief consuls, thus reducing the
powers of the racing board Another pro-
posed amendment rejected was for the re-
pear OF the provision in Article VIII re-
curing a league club to pay 81 upon join
ing the league motion that local option
De given divisions to control their own rep
rresentation on the State board. not to af
Iect the nittlonal board, was adopted. Mr..
Welch, or California moved to amend Ar
ucie by striking out the words league
cIup ana allow any cycling club to be
represented on the national board. This
was amended so that each division may de-
termine the number of members of a club
necessary TO entitle ii TO representation on
the state board. An amendment was
adopted which gives amateurs the privilege
OF exchanging prizes SO long as they do
not convert them into cash.
Secretary BaSSett'S proposed amendment
making colored men eligible to membership
IN the league, was defeated-153 to 100.
Two-thirds is required for the adoption of
any amendment. The proposition to admit
professional riders to associate member
ship in the l.. A. w. was defeated by an
f. w Robert. of Missouri. proposed an
amendment providing that the racing
board provide amateur and professional
champion events at the league meet the
races TO be the same in number, etc. 1t
was adopted
Mr.. WEIGH, of north California. moved to
take up and adopt the amendment of w.
;. Roberts 10 add to Article ". Section Z
that the racing board shall grant sanctions
divisions where the board of officers of the
divisions shall adopt a resolution permit
ting the same, the resolution TO be subject
to revocation at any time by the board of
officers filing the same Mr. WEIGH said
that in California Saturday was the busiest
day OF the week and Sunday was the only
day at liberty TO the masses for enjoyment
Other amuSementS were sanctioned, and
why not wheeling?
A. Z. Dunn, of Philadelphia thought that
it was dangerous question to handle. The
wisest thing that the convention could do
was TO keep as far away from the danger
as possible. and thus be on the safe side
If this amendment is adopted explosion
or some sort will surely follow
+; w HartWell. of Denver. favored the
the league sanctioned Sunday racing it
would reflect on the league 1t was merely
a local question. and the different sections
of the league would take the responsibility
j. kerrigan. of California. argued that
many $4,000 10000 people were
drawn to ball games and balloon ascensions
In his State on Sundays. while on other
days IL was hard to get 800 people. Sunday
was the only day that paying audiences
could be obtained for wheel meets. The fact
was mat the granting OF this local option
would cast the onus of holding Sunday rae
ing upon the various State leagues and
that would not hurt the American League
There We're road races every Sunday. even
in the East. and the league did not object
to that The theaters were open in Cali
fornia, and SC We're the saloons, and there
Is no reason why the race tracks should
not be-
A. G. Willis of Maryland spoke in favor
of the amendment. He believed that this
was not States rights question when a
general permission to do racing was
granted under which every State could do
jet he believed that Sunday racing in Cali
fornia would mean a drawing away from
diSreputable sports to reputable. one.
j. Il. Townsend of New York. said il was
not question of morality or sentiment: it
was merely a question of business and il
would be very bad business to drive out
those nQnnla nf xxhn ,i.rl,,
object. 1t would hurt the league in every
section of the East
After further. discussion the proposition
was rejected-161 to IL.
ID. w. Jenkins moved to have a regular
salary attached to the Office of chairman
OF the racing board. This was lost by a
vote of 139 to 81.
Amendments to the bylaws were adopted
increasing the bonds of the secretary to
$4,000 and the treasurer to $4,000.
motion to allow the annual assembly to
select the meet place instead of the execu-
tive committee was defeated;
resolution was adopted placing road
races by l.. A. W. members under the URLS
diction of the racing board. for the avowed
purpose of aiding the Century Road Club
In purifying road races.
AT the evening session St. Louis was Sc
lected as the place for holding the national
meet for 1898.
Through President-elec Potter the spe-
cial committee appointed to draw a con-
tract between Sterling Elliott. editor of the
bulletin. and the l.. A. w. reported that it
had drawn up a new one which Mr.. Elliott
was satisfied with in every respect. The
executive committee was instructed TO exc
cute the contract.
1t was voted to allow the president an
appropriation of 81. 600 for clerk hire. etc.
Mr. Potter moved that the racing board
he recommended to reinstate Fred j. Titus
in the league by March l. next Mr.. Mott
introduced a resolution, which was accept
ed by Mr.. Potter that if Titus made a
written application to the racing board and
apologized for his conduct, his suspension
be removed. II was unanimously adopted
The convention then adjourned sine die at
11:l5 O'clock.