The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-09
NEWS OF THE wHEELMEN.
SOME OF THE PLANS OF THE L. a.
W. TO INCREASE II sTRBNG TH.
President Potter Talks About the Proposed
Touring Committee-Riders want the ola
Coney Hsland Path NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Nett
an nnnnIn.n..nAinE nnnan.ain..-nnA

President Potter Talks About the Proposed
Touring Committee-Rider want the old
Coney Island Path Rrbuit-Chairusnn Nett
on Race-PrsmetinE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
The new Executive Committee Of the L. A. w.
10 determined to make Its term in office n cred.
liable one. President Potter. In talking with
the reporter of THE Sol yesterday, outlined
briefly some Of the plans undor consideration
He declares that one of the frat moves of the
committee will DO to direct operations through.
out the country TO increase the membership in
the organization. Efforts will also be made to
increase tho benefits for mombers as much
as possible and additional Inducements for
wheelmen to affiliate with the l.. A. w. will be
promulgated in a short time. The organization
will advocate road reforms and highway Inn
provements in all directions. The reappoint.
mcnt of Otto Dornor of Milwaukee as Chairman
Of the Highway Improvement Committee, It 10
fclt, will aid the League In this work. Potter.
when questioned whether he. favored the APP
pointmont of a national tour committee, as hos
boon suggested In THE SUN. admitted that
no realizes that q tour department will
be an important consideration in the
organization. Ho says that all classes
Of riders are Interested In touring, and
that the League could cater TO that element in
q better manner than 1t docs at present. Judg-
ing from experience on touring questions. he
feels that n special in every division
would be an advantage. Such committees
could secure information Of the roads and fur
nish directions to tho League members for
pleasant trips. He says that he has in con-
temptation the offer Of some prizes for the best
contributions on tours, and that in this way he
thinks the work and interest in touring will be
aided. Potter advocates renewed activity in
all sections, and 10 confident that at the close of
the yonr the numerical strength Of the organi-
zation will be almost double what IL Is now.
The bicycle riders of Brooklyn complain that
the old path along the Concy Island boulevard
is in a wrotched condition and should be re.
built. 1t is claimed that the path was never
properly constructed. and no kind of repair
work will put it in good shape. President
Barnett Of the Associated Cycling Clubs Of
Long Island said yesterday that ho rode
down over tho path on last sunday and
that 1t is In frightful condition. The
return path Is in fair shape, although in need Of
n top dressing. President George Stebbins Of
the Brooklyn Bicycle Club corroborated Bar
nett's statement. 1t was estimated that several
thousand riders went over the path yesterday. q
majority Of whom were loud in their denuncia-
ton OF its condition.
In view of the agitation for the L. A. w. to
abandon the control of racing, the League Is in
receipt OF all sorts Of suggestions on tho subject.
In talking on the subject yesterday President
the League to divorce itself from the racing in.
forests unless 1t appoints IN organization to
Eestion that the Century Road Club Of America
might consent to direct that department., he
said the Century Club is too prominently identi:
fled with road racing to take up the subject Of
track contests. A; Powell. the League handi.
csppeE for Pennsylvania. fayors racing under
Racing has proved to be the best advertising
medium the League has ever had. and in that
members by constantly drawing the attention of
wheelmen to its existence. That the depart
ment has como SO much to the front is owing
not so much to any undue pressure that may
have been brought to bear upon It to tho detrf.
ment Of other branches Of the Leagues work.
ly commands attention. There is Absolutely no
reason, however, why other branches should be
racing. The Racing Board is there to- look after
that work; let each and every other committee
lock after its own particular line. Tho only
prominence as racing appears to have done lies
In the publicity given 70 it for its spectacular
in the work Of tho League SO far as good roads
are cqnoerned. In spite Of the labor
stiveiy little is known about it. Let one OF the
racing sIn ;v me p break y 2 record. h9wever and the
4 do so next season l would not DO surprised il
Iuo L. a.. "oE0 COmplcbCly IOTROLLen llSlQ0
OF a couple Of years."
Senior Consul RosenfoId of the local consulate
terday in relation to cycle racing:
For some time 1t has been reported that tho
tIon condemnatory of cycle racing. The fact is
that at no time or place did the consulate pass
asGti measure 8 u r,s or d1,t'n1!pa to pass any in that d:
which were ever acted upon or dis
cussed were, OF the six.day race at Madison
NO action. believing, that racing was a matter
with which II should not concern itself. and OF
race meet in connoctio paf'i With % the a0I COM.
ing State meet under the auspices Of
decided that our body was not organized for
this purpose, and should not concern itself
with races, in any form. We have found that
II is best for us to limit the scope OF our
activity to the maintenance of the rights OF
inE. 1t simply takes the stand that it win leave
the sport to those who are organized with a
view to taking an active part in it. which the
The membership in the L. A. W. has fallen of
were sent to Secretary Bassctt last week, max.
Ing u total OF 1O2, O7a. there is a decrease Of 1853
Secretary report Of the latest additions in tho
big divisions. with their total membership, is as
New York Of. total 2O.s94; Pennsylvania 81, total
p4,6asi Massachusetts n. total iq.@T2; New jersey |
20. total o.OSp; Illinois 81, total 3, 1877; Indiana go, |
Total ,O2b; Ohio 40. total 8. lis; Wisconsin is, total
e,6ll; Connecticut 10, total 2.0S5; Missouri !, total
800; Michigan II, total 2.05S; Maryland 2, total
J ,OOs' Rhode Island 10. total 500.
League officers ascribe the decrease to the ex.
OF membership, the holders OF which
have failed to renew promptly.
The formation of racepromoting organiza-
lions Is regarded by tho officers Of the l.. A.. W. |
rs a step calculated to improve the sport. Chair
man Mott OF the Racing Board In his annual
statement says:
'Onc new feature that has improved bicycle
racing ls the entrance into IL OF capitalists and
business men. They are in it for an Investment,
and to get proper returns. Consequently their
meets are conducted in a businesslike manner
and with System. Experts are employed TO at
lend TO the different duties. and their terms OF
are only so long as results Justify.
Accordingly everything moves with precision.
spectators are well cared for and better enter
lalned, and the racing man Is sure of the full
value of the prizes he wins. 1t is not only in
Ihc large cities that these enterprises exist. or
that the largest attendance is attracted. AS an
there are small towns of less than
ZOO Inhabitants in the backwoods OF Pennsyi-
yania having the latest improved quarter and
third OF a mile tracks which several times last
season drew over 1000 spectators. Another
cement track at n town Of 200 Inhabitants in
he South drew over ten times It's own ponuln-
inn M n ynaat A n ,hla 1. A. :. - 80.