The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-11
[. A. w. is IN SESSION
Good Roads" il the Theme For the
Opening Day.


st. Louis, Feb. "a majority of the del
egates to the National assembly of tbs
League of American Wheelmen are il
the city. A large number came in on tbs
morning trains and stragglers will reach
here tonight and tomorrow morning, be-
fore the actual business of the session be-
gins.
The question that viii receive the most
interesting discussion is that of local OPP
ton for the state divisions. An amend
ment providing that state divisions be
granted the right to determine for them
selves whether or not Sunday bicycle
races should be permitted was introduced
last year at the assembly at Albany and
was defeated by but six votes. AT that
time division option was not considered
to be of moment to the league, but the
defeat of the amendment occasioning the
formation of outlaw leagues in California
and Louisiana, where the control of the
sport passed almost entirely into the
hands of the newly formed organizations,
has had the effect of causing the present
delegates to har both sidseeeeeetao innnun
| delegates to hear both sides of the ques-
| ton and to decide the case on its merits.
The prevailing opinion seems to be that
! If it is best for the league such an amend
ment will be adopted at the present con-
| vention. The disposition to afford the adj
| vocates of Sunday racing every possible
! opportunity to give their plans fair trial
extends even among the members of such
states as Massachusetts and New York,
where previously strong opposition to the
| idea was found. In view of this change
of sentiment it is evident that the local
option amendment will be given thorough
consideration when it comes before the
| assembly on Thursday morning.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
President Potter's reelection for the en-
suing year and the success of his whole
ticket seems assured. for no decided OPP
position has been shown yet, nor has any
other ticket been made public. Rumors Of
the candidacy of George D. Gideon, ex-
chairman of the racing board, and of
Fred Garloeh, ex-raeing board member
from Chicago, are about, but have not
yet assumed definite shape.
The Potter slate is as follows: President
Isaac Potter, New York; first vice presi-
dent, Thomas J. Keenan,, Pennsylvania;
second vice president Edward y. Hines,
Michigan; secretary, Abbott 8assett, Mas
sachusetts; treasurer, ]. C. Tattersall,
New Jersey.
RACING RULES.
Chairman Mott and the other members
of the racing board held a secret meeting
today for the purpose OF considering
changes in the racing rules. One of these
affects the amateur prize rule. Chairman
Motifs registration rule, to do away with
ringers, is almost certain to be adopted.
The most important change that the
board considered was that in regard to
national championship.
GOOD ROADS DISCUSSED.
Today's session was devoted to the dis
cussion of the good :oads movement and
the time was taken up with interesting
addresses. 1t was II o'clock when, with a
good attendance, Vice President Morrison
called the convention to order. Mr.. Otto
Doerner of Milwaukee, chairman of the
national highway improvement commit
tee, was introduced as chairman of the
meeting. He spoke of the work of the
committee and said he was glad to report
that it was receiving help in their move
ment from the farmers of the country |
who. more than anybody else outside of
the L. A. w, are interested in good roads. |
Sterling Elliott Of Massachusetts,, ex-
president of the National League. spoke |
briefly on the History of the Good Roads |
Movement" outlining what had been |
done and what was needed to further the |
movement. The work, he said, had start |
ed with the riders of the wheel. and it |
was mostly through their efforts that it /
was being put forward now.
Chairman Doerner then announced that |
the national highway improvement COM
mittee had offered two lots OF cash prizes !
for the best collection of bad roads. |
While number had been received, the /
was still open
THE PENNSYLVANIA PLAN.
The principal address of the day was
that of Professor Hamilton of Harris
burg. Pa. who is president OF the Ma
tonal association of Farmers Institutes
and author Of the Hamilton
road bill, which is expected to do much
for the Improvement of roads in that
state. His address was entitled Good
Roads Prospects in Pennsylvania" Penn
sylvania is one of the few states which
have given aid to the counties and town
ships within their borders n the building
of roads. About ten years ago when the
agitation Of the good roads question was
begun, the road system Of Pennsylvania
was a mass of confusion and ineffieiency.
L was found that thera were in force
over 1-e1o enactments III regard to roads
and bridges There were about 100 miles
of roads in the commonwealth. not incIud
ing the turnpike roads, cont ~0lled by cor
Dorations, or the streets and boulevards
Of cities and boroughs. These roads. To-
yether with the bridges. had cost the cit
zens OF the state annually about s. 90 90.
After the appointment OK committee and
a lengthy investigation Of the matter. the
Hamilton road bill passed the legislature
IA 1881 This law repealed all OF the acts
with Il and provided for the
appropriation by the state Of 1900 90 20
oe distributed according 20 the number Of
miles OF road in each township The dis
rihuuon 10 he made under the direction
y tire secretary Of the department OF
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