The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-30
AS UNDULY HARSH IN IT'S PRO-
VISIONS.
THREE COMMITTEES NAMED.
DESIRES OF THE WHEELMEN WILL
BE PRESENTED TO THE
COUNCIL.
SPECIAL COPS FOR "sCoRCHERs."
System of Numbers and Licenses for
Riders Suggested, but Dismissed
Impracticable.

One hundred or more Of the leading
wheelmen of the city met at the Ryan
last evening for the purpose Of pro-
testing against the ordinance now be-
fore the city council, extending the
limits in which the wheelmen are pro-
hibited from riding on the sidewalks,
and which contains restrictions much
Severer than any yet imposed, The
meeting was called under the auspices
Of the L. A. w. of st. Paul, but the
attendance was largely of independent
riders. A. NJ. Peabody was elected
chairman and F. L. Hoxsie, secretary.
Assistant City Engineer George l..
Wilson illustrated by the use of large
map the limits which the ordinance
proposed to embrace. 1t adds from six
to dozen blocks on all sides Of the city
and shuts out the wheelmen from many
privileges to which they believe them
selves entitled. Mr.. Wilson himself
believed the proposed ordinance was
too severe, and suggested that a COM
mittee Of wheelmen be appointed for
the purpose of presenting their stand
point before the proper council COM
mittees.>
President A. B. Ovitt, of the St. Paul
Cycle Path association, believed the Or
dinance was too severe and that the
wheelmen Of the city were entitled to
more consideration. Mr.. Ovitt moved
that committee Of three be appointed
in each ward to confer with the alder
man Of the ward relative to a modifi-
cation Of the ordinance; also that a
committee Of five be named to appear
at the council meeting at which the or
dinance will be brought up for discus
sion and final action.
II. r. CurtiSS moved that commit
tee from the L. A. w. be appointed to
wait upon the mayor and inform him
that the great mass Of the wheelmen
OF the city desire to put a stop to the
practice of scorching, and that the
riders are anxious to be sworn in as
special policemen to stop the practice
Mr.. CurtiSS believed that the appoint
ment Of a sufficient number of special
policemen from among the bicycle rid
erS would have q great moral effect
| upon those who persist IN riding at
breakneck speed at the risk of life and
limb and the safety of pedestrians Mr..
Curtiss believed the wheelmen of the
city would be willing to give up their
have the proposed ordinance modified.
1t was suggested that a system be
adopted by which every wheelman in
the city should wear a number CORE
| spending to the number of a license
which should. be issued by the city
| for 81. Mr. Curtiss said the scheme
| was not practical as the scorchers
would take good care that their num-
| bers could not be seen. He was in
favor of the appointment Of a lot Of
! special policemen.
Mr.. Ovitt stated that the scheme Of
| issuing licenses and numbers was not
a new one. Some time ago he had in
| terviewed Assistant City Attorney Phil
| lips on the matter, and the latter had
said the city had nc authority in it's
| charter under which wheelmen could
| be licensed. He had also attempted to
secure the passage Of an act in the
legislature enabling cities and towns
to license wheelmen, but had failed
Mr.. Ovitt spoke in favor Of the scheme
to appoint special policemen, as was
| done last year
Mr.. Hoxsie said the results in
| other cities from the efforts of spe-
cial policemen to stop scorching were
very satisfactory
The motions to appoint the various
| committees were carried, and the 7, A
! w. ana the Wheelmen at large will di-
Vlde the work and responsibility. F. M
| Floyd, Of the Seventh ward, said he
had circulated a petition during the
past day or two asking the alderman of
his ward to oppose the ordinance, and
| he believed that if 100 of such netitions
| were circulated several thousand
names could be secured all over the
city, The committees will be appointed
by Mr. Peabody during the next few
! days.