The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-11
POTTER FOR PRESIDENT.
Result of Meeting of the League OF Ameri-
can Wheelmen.

/
can Wheelmen.
| St. Louis. February i0-Ihe national
assembly of the L. A. W., got down to
business today. But little time was taken
I'D with the reports of the officers and
standing committees, which had been
nrinted and circulated before the meet
ing began. They were promptly adopted
and the assembly proceeded to the cleo
ton of officers, all of whom were chosen
before the recess for luncheon was tax
en-, The Potter ticket was elected with.
out much opposition. President Potter
who sought reelection, received 212 votes
| to l07 cast for Geo. d. Gideon, ex-ohair-
man of the racing board. When the re-
suit of the ballot became know, Mr.. Gid
con moved that the election of President
| Potter be made unanimous and this
was done amid much enthusiasm.
| The following officers were elected
President, Isaac Potter of New York; first
vice. president, Thomas J. keenan, of
Pennsylvania; second vice-president, e.
N. Mines of Michigan; treasurer, James
G. Tatterstall of New Jersey.
| The afternoon session was given up to
the consideration and disposal of miscel-
laneous business and the official discus
sion of amendments to the constitution
and bylaws. The. delegates decided they
did not want professionals admitted to
the league and defeated that amendment.
sHAnother amendment WAS adopted, CIV
ing the board of officers of any state d.
vision power to establish a Junior men,
bership of the League OF American
Wheelmen.
| President Potter presided at the after
noon session which was held In Masonic
hall. An auditing committee for the en-
suing year composed OF George L.. Black
man of New York. Q. Fred Adams OF
| Massachusetts of Geo. w. Greeburg OF
| Chicago, was elected. On behalf of the
mayor of Indianapolis, where the meet
| of 1898 will be held, Merrill Moores. q
delegate to the convention, presented
| Chairman Potter for the wheelman the
| freedom of the city.
| Another list of professionals who de-
sired reinstatement to the amateur class,
was passed up to the assembly without
the recommendation of the racing board
and was promptly laid on the table by
! unanimous vote. The constitution and
| by laws of the league was then begun.
| The first was an amendment to article
| 8 of section l of the constitution, striking
| out the word "amateur, which would
| have the effect of admitting to member
| ship in the league, members OF the pro-
| fessional class which had hitherto been
entirely excluded. Lost, 1872 to 49,
| The second amendment proposed to ar
ticle 3, section 1, of the constitution
| failed 10 be even considered for it was
discovered that it had not been published
as required. A motion to cast it aside
was adopted.
| The next amendment was adopted that
| the board of officers of any state division
have the power to establish junior mem
| bership OF the League of American Wheel
men to be subject to the control and man
agement of the board of officers of the
state division in which the Junior men,
| bers reside.
| The remainder of this amendment per-
tanned to the details of the new departure.
| The convention then adjourned until 9
a. m. tomorrow.
Secretary Abbott Bassett, in his report
said the year 1897 had seen the member
ship grow from Y, 900 to 1902, 900. and the
| finances had shown a very healthy con-
dition. The report of the auditing COM
mittee showed that the league has in it's
treasury over $4,000.
The report of Albert Mott, chairman
of the racing board, showed that during
the year the receipts by the racing board
amounted to SO, 426; the expenditures
1854.
During the year, 1912 race meets were
held, where 1876 races had been given,
participated in by 5000 racing men, who
have won and received many prizes to
the value Of 81 ,654, 020.
| zone new feature that has improved
bicycle racing in the past season is the
entrance into it of capitalists and bust
ness men, the report continued. They
are in it for Investment and to get prop
er returns. Consequently their meets
are conducted in business like manner
and with system"
Mr.. Mott called attention to the man
ner of determining the professional
national champion and claimed it was at
fault
1 For obvious reasons" he continued,
''the national amateur championship
should be determined entirely at the
national meet and there should be but
one champion"
| The report of Otto Doerner, chairman
of the committee on improvement of
| highways states that a vast amount of
personal effort had been expended upon
the good roads work in most of the
states and many active minds had de-
voted themselves enthusiastically and
persistently to the cause.
The report of the committee on trans
| portation stated that with the exception
of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware,
Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana,
Southern Illinois and Florida the rail
roads carry wheels by force of law,
| while these states are included by volun-
tary concession. The key to the eastern
situation is now in Indiana. If it's legis-
lature should pass bicycle baggage law
| the scheme of transportation between
| Chicago and st. Louis and New England
would be finished.
The vote for president was as follows:
| Number of ballots cast 325, of which PIP
were for Potter, 107 for Gideon and the
remainder scattering, Only 154 was
necessary for a choice.
| The enthusiasm shown over the re-
election of Mr.. Potter lasted for several
minutes. Mr.. Gideon then moved that
his opponents selection be made unani-
nous. The motion was carried with Il
rush and Mr.. Potter made short speech
thanking the delegates for the honor.
Previous to the balloting the committee
on credentials reported that 1927 dele