The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-09
MAY BE SUNDAY RACING.
Z. A W. Has Weakened On It's Form
er Position.


ST. Louis, Feb "a majority of the
delegates to the national assembly of
the League of American Wheelmen
which met today are in the city. A
large number came in on this morning
trains and Stra gglerS will reach here
tonight and tomorrow morning. before
the actual business of the session be-
gins. The question that will receive
the most interesting discussion is that
of local option for the state divisions.
An amendment providing that state di-
visions be granted the right to determ-
inc for themselves whether or not Sun
day bicycle races should be permitted
was introduced last year at the as
Sembly at Albany and was defeated by
but six votes At that time division
option was not considered to be OF mo-
Inent to the league, but the defeat of
the amendment OccaSiOning the fOrma-
tiOn of outlaw leagues in California and
Louisiana where the control OF the
sport passed almost entirely into the
hands of the newly formed organiza-
tions has had the effect of causing the
present delegates to hear both sides of
the question and to determine to de-
eide the case on its merits.
The prevailing opinion seems to be
that if it is best for the League such an
amendment will be adopted at the pres
ent convention. The disposition to af-
ford the advocates of Sunday racing
ever. possible opportunity to give their
plans fair trial extends even among
the members of such states as Massa-
chusetts and New York, where preVi-
ousIy strong opposition to the idea was
found. In view of this change of senti-
ment it is evident that the To-
cal option amendment will be
given thorough consideration when
it comes before the assembly on
Thursday morning
President POtter'S reelection for the
ensuing year and the success of the
whole ticket seems assured, for no de-
cided opposition has been shown yet,
nor has any other ticket been made
nj
George D. Gideon, ex-chalrman of the
racing board and of Fred GarlOch, ex-
racing board member from Chicago,
are bruited about, but have not yet as
sumed definite shape. The Potter slate
is as follows:
President, Isaac Potter of New York;
first vice president, Thomas J. Keenan,
of Pennsylvania; second vice president,
Edward N. Hines of Michigan; secre-
tary, Abbott Bassett of Massachusetts;
treasurer, J. G. Tatterson of New Jer-
Sey.
Chairman Mott and the other mem
bers of the racing board held a secret
meeting today for the purpose of con-
sidering 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 i'm
portant change that the board cOnSid-
cred was that in regard to national
championships.
The principal address of the day was
T..
Pa, who is president of the national
association of Farmers Institutes Con-
ductors and author of the Hamilton
road bill, which is expected to do so
much for the improvement of roads in
that state. His address was entitled
Good Roads Prospects in Pennsylva-
MIA.
Pennsylvania is one of the few states
which has given aid to the counties and
townships within their borders in 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 inemciency. 1t was found that
there were in force over 1900 different
enactments in regard to roads and
bridges. There were about 100, 900
miles of roads in the commonwealth,
not including the turnpike roads con-
trOlled by corporations, or the streets
and bOuleVards of cities and boroughs.
These roads together with the bridges,
had cost the citizens of that state an
nually about $4,000, 900.
After the appointment of a committee
and a lengthy investigation of the mat
ter, the Hamilton road bill passed the
legislature in 1897. This law repealed
all of the acts inconsistent with it and
provided for the appropriation by the
state of $1,000, 900 to be distributed ac-
according to the miles of road in each
township, the distribution to be made
under the direction of the secretary of
the department of agriculture of the
state. 1t was provided that no district
shall receive more of the appropriation
of the state than is raised therein by
local taxation. The law further pro-
vides that one-half of the road taxes
assessed against the property through
out the state shall, if demanded, be
paid in money.
The speaker said in conclusion: 1.-THE
great underlying and governing prin-
ciple in all government should be that
the strong should provide for those who
are weak and the logical and equitable
method in this not private or local, but
the most important public improve
ments, is for the state to undertake
the work and thus enlist all interest
and all of the people in the execution
of this great enterprise, designed, con-