The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-20

lation against the Bay City Wheelmen) would
have been in vain, and that had he thought
that such a law would be considered he would
have come prepared to defeat it. What does
he by this? Am l to understand that
other clubs would be dashed into line to vote
against this amendment? hope not. There
is an old political saying in California that
If one desires to defeat a bill or law ono matter
how meritorious) all need to state is 1.-The
Southern Pacific Company is in it's favor
Would this delegate therefore adopt the same
methods in his lashing of other clubs and rest
his arguments by saying the Bay City Wheel
men are behind this amendment? What If they
are? And why should not the Bay City
Wheelmen be in favor of such a law and do
their utmost to have ii adopted? This club
has on it's roll of membership no less than
practically demand that they defend any dis
eliminating legislation against them AS TO the
statement that all past legislation would be
that it would be we'll If that were done.
Have the California Associated Cycling Clubs
prospered during the past administration. with
Its methods and legislation? 1 think not Have
the smaller clubs awaited themselves of the
clause limiting riders permitted in club events?
l say no. Neither the last relay race nor the
race for the Baker Hamilton trophy had
any entries encouraged by this clause In fact
by the Reliance Club Wheelmen of Oakland
Encinal Cyclers OF Alameda, Capital City
Cycling Club of San Francisco This last
mentioned club was encouraged by the Olympic
Club Wheelmen of San Francisco not to enter
a team, their pacing being too useful to the
L ask, could not these clubs by the adoption
of the Joker" amendment draw from each
other and enter at least two more teams? Say
that the Acme Club Wheelmen of Oakland
drew from the Encinal Wheemen of Alameda:
the Capital City Wheelmen from the Stockton
Club, and the Imperial and the California Cy
cling Club of San Francisco combined would
not interest in such entries be increased?
Would not cycling in Sacramento Stockton,
Oakland and Alameda be benefited? Any
amendment has its merits and | think IL
should be permitted to remain a law. The
law it stood limiting entries in club events
to resident riders was passed and aimed
against the Bay City Wheemen. and after 1t
passed the association under the last admin
istration did not act in good faith toward that
club. How was it that the entry of the Acme
Club wheelmen of Oakland for the last Baker
& Hamilton race. with Mr.. Lind of the I'm
perial Club of San Francisco as one of its con-
testants was accepted? Was the rule en-
forced7 Were the Acme Club Wheelmen mott
fed of their infraction of the Associations
pet measure? 1 do not mean by this TO crti-
cize the action of the Acme Club. The Bay
City Wheelmen hold and have always held
their associate clubs in highest esteem, and any
entry from any club in any is always well
come to compete against its riders
No event in which the Bay City Wheelmen
have competed has suffered owing to its entry
of nonresident riders; on the contrary, it has
forced the interest of friends of cycling in
such towns as Santa Rosa Los Angeles Marys-
vile, etc. Does such interest work hardships
to the association? In case of adoption of
this '.joker'' amendment. will President Nip
pert be compelled to say to a n-resident
rider. 'You must join the association but
you cannot compete in club events?''
Would IL be well to embarrass him at the
very commencement of his administration?
Can he increase the now shrunken roll of mem
bership the strength of such legislation?
1t may be stated that there are other bene-
fits derived by joining the association. Well!
Ahem! Let that rest. Racing and racing
clubs are the life of the association, say what
you will.
Speaking of racing clubs. there is one in this
State to which 1 bow with Difference and that
club is the Garden City Wheelmen of san Jose
Long may they prosper; they are sportsmen
good and true. I glad to extend to them
the hand of good fellowship and to say Go
and win" for defeat has ever marred your
conduct nor robbed you of a desire to better
your racing teams for the next event. I say
again, long may they prosper and may success
crown the efforts of the riders of the Fleur-
de-Lis.
AS for the Bay City wheelmen, its member
ship to-day is bound in a bond akin to Ma
sonry. No legislation, no laws of the asso-
citation, can crush the wearers of the Maltese
cross It's members rise above racing inter-
ests and in their place find good-fellowship-
that which clings through misfortune and ad-
versity, and that which makes man swear for
ever his loyalty to man. 1t is this
feeling which will forever exist among
the admiration of all: it is this
brotherhood that assures our existence Legis-
late you may, there will always be the Bay
City Wheelmen. E. F. FkHRBACH
President The Bay City Wheeimen.