Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1898-09-21
l.. A. W..
A Bit Of League History That Will
Interest Many in Marietta.
Solid for Ghaster,

columns have been eagerly watched
for by the large number Of League
members in Marietta and vicinity, is
pleased to report an interview with q
we'll known and reliably Informed
member, who spoke as follows when
asked why Mears, of Cleveland, was
making such a fight for the Office OF
Chief Consult:
Isaac B. Potter, President of the
League of American Wheelmen, is try.
ing to Potterize Ohio. He wants a
third term and is using Charles w
Mears, of Cleveland, as a cats paw to
corral the Ohio votes for Potter at the
National Assembly in February.
Potter was present at the meeting
of the Cleveland Consulate which at
his instigation, endorsed Mears for
| Chief Consul. Mears was more than
willing and campaign was at once
inaugurated on Potter lines and is be-
ing carried forward with Potter meth
DDS.
Every week, in the Cycling Gazette
of which he is editor, Mears exploits
| new lies about the opposition candi-
dates or revamps old ones. He calls
his ticket the Reform Ticket Pot
terism, in all that word implies, is the
kind of reform Mears is anxious to in
augurate in Ohio.
Outside of those ambitious individ-
uals who have been Influenced by
Potter methods Mears has but little
strength as a candidate for Chief Con-
sui. He has only been a member Of
the League since 1896; -as had no ex-
perience in Division affairs, and al
though he has often aspired to a posi-
ton on the State Board, has never
been able to command enough support
to secure an election as club represen-
tative. Nevertheless at the behest of
Mr.. Potter of New York, he is now the
Cleveland nominee for the highest Of
fee in the Division.
"Mears is a mere puppet in Potter's
hands and flops whenever Potter pulls
the string. This has been evidenced
by his various attitudes on the SUBJ
ject of the Leagues relinquishing con-
troll of racing. He at first favored the
League claiming control, because he
was Handicapped and wanted to be
Perpetual When he was elected
Secretary of the Century Road Club
of America, however, he thought he
saw possibilities Of greater powers
and prominence for Mears in case rae
ing should be turned over to the ten
der mercies of that organization and
felt that he would be conserving his
own interests and pleasing his friend,
Potter, by advocating the abandon
ment of racing on the part of the L. A.
w. But Potter had already changed
his mind, having realized the useful
ness of the racing feature in the pro-
mot.on of his Presidential aspirations,
and he had no difficulty in convincing
Mears Of the error of his way when he
visited Cleveland for the purpose of
laying plans to secure the Ohio votes
at the next National Assembly. With
his usual thriftiness, Potter arranged
to make this visit at the expense of
the L. A. W. by calling an Executive
Committee meeting at Detroit and
taking in Cleveland en- route.
Outside Of Cleveland, the so-called
Reform ticket is receiving but scanty
support, as weaker candidate than
Mears could hardly have been found
to head the ticket unless it happened
to be the man the 'Reformers' have
nominated for Vice Consul, viz, Mil
ton G. Gill, of Toledo, whose ignorance
is so dense as to be positively painful
to those upon whom he has inflicted
his communications.
"A marked contrast to the foregoing
is presented by the Independent ticket,
headed by S. L. Caster, a prominent
business man Of Fostoria, and the
pesent able chairman of the Improve
ment of Highways Committee, who is
admirably fitted, by nature and exper-
ience, for the Office of Chief Consul.
He has served two terms as Secretary
Treasurer, has been a member of the
State Board several terms and a mem
Der Of the National Assembly four
times, having a splendid record in
every Office he has filled. Thus his
election to the Office of Chief Consul
will be deserved promotion and a
credit to the division. Mr.. Caster
Joined the L. A. w. in 1888 and is
therefore veteran.
m. G. Heintz, the independent can
didate for Vice Consul, is a prominent
Cincinnati attorney. Ever since he
Joined the League, in 1892, he has TAX
en- an active interest in all local move
ments for the benefit of wheelmen.
But his popularity is not confined to
Cincinnati, for he has been a member
OF the State Board several terms, and
as chairman Of the Rights and Priv
ileges Committee, showed very mark
ID IL.