The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-11
!. A. Y. N CONVENTION
Reports Received and New
Officers Elected.
POTTER AGAIN PRESIDENT
Junior Membership in the
League Provided For.

sembly OF the League of American Vince
men is holding its sessions, this morning
presented the aspect of a national politi
cal convention. The numerous state dele
cations had been holding meetings anC
caucussing. for their respective candidate!
ever since their arrival.
The business meeting of the nationa
assembly was called to order at 1915 a.
IN. by President Potter, with 307 delegates
present in person or by proxies. The
proxies numbered AS.
The reports Of President Potter and the
other officers of the league which had all
previously been prepared and printed, as
well as the reports Of the various stand
ing committees, were passed upon with
out reading.
OFFICIAL REPORTS.
The report Of President Isaac B. Potter
primaril ydwelt at length on the progress
of the good roads movement in the league
He then called attention to the fact that
ten states have passed laws requiring BIZ
cycles to be carried as baggage without
extra charge. and bills are now pending
In the legislatures of Kentucky, Virginia
and Maryland for the same purpose This
policy, on the Long Island railroad alone.
increased the traffic from 10000 cycling
passengers in 1886, to 100, 800 in 1897. He
recommended that the publishing of an
executive bulletin of news and notes re-
lating to the general work of the league
and its separate divisions be continued
He also recommended the continuance of
purpose within the last year. During the
past year 54793 new members have joined
the league and 1907 of the old members
have renewed. But as in former years,
the percentage of renewals is by no
means satisfactory. In closing his report
President Potter dwelt briefly on the dis
satisfaction that was expressed in south
ern California owing to the failure of the
passage of an amendment at the last as
sembly to sanction Sunday racing He
maintained that the deliberate judgment
of the national assembly must at all
times prevail.
Secretary Albert Bassett. in his report
said the year of 1887 had seen the mem
bership grow from 1900 to 10000. and the
finances had shown very healthy con-
dition- The membership roll shows a gain
of ~ per cent The largest percentage
Shown in the past was 81 per cent. in 1876.
The gross. income for 1887 was $3.50 042, an
increase Of SAL. $40 over 1896 Among the
several divisions during 1897 was distrib-
uted $91.504. Subscriptions to the Bulle-
tin amounted to S25.247. and to its publish
ers was paid S39, 800. making the Bulletin
so
paid subscriptions received was 100000
League club fees amounted to sos. As
Instructed atthe last assembly. the work
of REMEMBERING the membership cards
has been begun, but it is expected that at
least two years will be consumed in per-
fecting the alphabetical index
1.-THE report Of the auditing committee,
composed Of J. Fred Adams. John J. Van
Hort. and George L. Mccarthy, showed
that the league has in its treasury over
S15 COO. The principal heavy receipts for
the last year were: Applications. S95. 1857;
renewals. $36. 012; subscriptions. $25. 2f7. The
heavy expenditures were: Distributions
among divisions, $91, 504; Bulletin account.
$50 go
The report Of Albert Mott, chairman of
the racing board, showed that during the
year the receipts by the racing board
amounted to 80 426, the expenditures 81. 594, |
leaving a balance on hand of 81 $50. Dur
ing the year 1912 race meets were held, !
where 1876 races had been given. partici-
pated in by 1000 racing men. who have
won and received racing and pacemaking
prizes to the value Of 81. 654. 600. "One new
in the past season is the entrance into it !
of capital and business the report con-
tinUes. '"They are in il for investment /
and get proper returns. Consequently. /
their meets are conducted in a business |
like manner and with system. The racing (
privilege s not only necessary. /
but ii is a wise measure in fostering this .
class Of recreation and entertainment for /
the public. The control by the L. y w /
without direct pecuniary profit. invites (
public confidence to an extent that could /
not be accomplished in any other man /
ler." Mr.. Mott called attention to the /
manner of determining the national pro- /
ressional championship and claimed it is 4
At fault For obvious reasons" he says.
the national amateur championships /
could be determined entirely at the ma 4
ional meet, and there should be but one /
champion"
In the report Of Otto Dorner. chairman 4
If the committee on Improvement of the /
highways, he stated that a vast amount /
# personal effort had been expended IN
IN the good roads work in most Of the /
states and many active minds had devot- /
ID themselves enthusiastically and per F.
,istently 10 the ause. Apart from the .
continuous general agitation going on all /
,ver the country, the good roads move
nent has made considerable specific pro-
yress in number OF safes.
The report Of the committee on trans
stated that with the exception
# Pennsylvania. Maryland, Delaware.
Virginia West Virginia Indiana. South
I'm Illinois and Florida, the railroads car
v wheels by force of law while these /
states are included by voluntary conces-
sion. The key TO the eastern situation
$ now in the state Of Indiana If its leg /
stature should pass a bicycle law the I
scheme OF transportation between Chi
ago and ST. Louis snd New England /
would be finished. Illinois is the key 10 /
he western situation, and recognizing
his. the greater part Of the committee
work has been concentrated there In the /
south the railroads are undecided Flori-
las railroads voluntarily granted free
commencing January ! Of j
his year.
The report Of the membership commit
ee submitted by Chairman George I.
Cook showed that out of 100 applicants
Ind members just ~ had complaints or
injections entered against them for other