The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-06-09
CYCLING NOTES.

Boston, Mass.
Every division of the League of Amer
lean Wheelmen provides for the protec-
ton of its members against careless or
vicious drivers Of other vehicles, by fur
nishing legal talent for the conviction of
| such persons and for the recovery of
| damages.
The Connecticut division Of the League
of American Wheelmen has just issued a
| new edition of its excellent road book,
showing all the roads in the state, topog-
raphy condition and other informa ton
valuable to the cycling tourist. This di-
vision is giving special cash rebate to
members sending in five or more appli-
| cations for membership.
| The League of American Wheelmen
consulates in Michigan are showing the
! greatest activity. One is preparing for
! a parade and mass meeting to insist
upon having better streets; another is
engaged in building cycle paths to the
nearest cities, and all are working hard
for improved roads. The division has
an organizer who is also interesting
farmers in the good roads movement.
Over two million dollars has been
! spent by the state of Massachusetts in
the building of improved highways. All
of this vast sum has been secured from
the legislature through the efforts of the
League of American Wheelmen. and
every wheelman riding over them is in
debted to the league for his pleasure, yet
large majority of them are not mem
bers of the organization which they
| could assist so materially in this and
| other lines of work.
Officials Of the League of American
Wheelmen estimate that the cost of a
first-class battle-ship would provide for
the building of two thousand miles of
first-class macadam roads. Or If used
in one continuous line it would provide
national highway extending from Bos-
ton to Denver. The same officials COM
pare the good derived from river i'm
provements, railroad subsidies, etc, to
the amount of good that could be done
if the same amounts We're devoted to
good roads, which are the necessity of
greater numbers than any of the other
objects, and it is at once apparent that
one of the greatest economical needs of
the country has been overlooked in the
enthusiasm for others.
The New York division of the League
of American Wheelmen is bending every
energy to make the annual state meet at
Patchogue, Long Island, on June 20, so
and July 1, the greatest in the history
of the division. A most attractive pro-
gramme is offered, including several
novelties in the way of entertainment.
Among these will be the attempt of
Charlie Murphy to ride a mile in one
minute paced by a locomotive) clam
bakes, sailing, sea bathing and many
other things that will keep the visitors
busy and entertained for the three days.
The place of the meet is easily available
from New York city, and many will
make the trip awheel.
All the divisions of the League of
American Wheelmen situated on the Ca
madam border are feeling the effects of
the travel to Canada. Thousands of
Wheelmen make trips into the country
across the way every year, and most of
them are members of the League of
American Wheelmen. This is b cause of |
the agreement between the Canadian
customs authorities and the League of |
American Wheelmen, whereby members
of the organization are permitted to |
take their wheels across without the |
payment of duty, the simple showing Of |
their membership cards being all that is
necessary for the free entry. Many of |
the border divisions recruit large mem
berships because of this concession, |
which in itself more than offsets the |
cost of an entire years membership in |
the league
One railroad in the state of New York,
the Long Island railroad, carried one
hundred and seventy-six thousand bicy- /
cles last year. Wheelmen do not realize
that because of the Armstrong baggage
bill passed by the New York division of
the League of American Wheelmen, ev-
cry one of these machines was carried as
baggage without additional cost to their
owners. A very large majority of the
owners We're not members of the l.. A.
w. which was directly responsible for
their saving, in almost every case, an
amount which would nearly pay
years dues in the organza ton to which
they are indebted The great trouble
with wheelmen is that they do not stop
to inquire why they are enjoying so
many privileges and which the league
has given them. If one railroad in the
state benefits so many wheelmen, it is
hard to imagine how many were bene-
flied on all the roads.
Miller, F1ederics and Nawn, who have
been riding in France, paid their fines to
the League of American Wheelmen ra-
cling board and have been .reinstated.
They were not allowed to ride until the
payment was made.
The League of American Wheelmen
facing board makes the following an
"a championship inter-
division team race will be held at the
national meet. Each division will be
by team of three riders
,hosen by competition under the direc-
ion of the division racing board. The
winning team will be known as the
team. Division racing
boards may pay the actual expenses of
such teams to and from the national ;;
meet