The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-05-19

nave tp eiDpic1 ANNltlCl NiiA NiiN work be done in a careless way or with a reliance upon belief that mere re- quest from the committee will be suffi- cient. They are going at it in system atc way, details of which cannot be given now, and the full strength of the organization will be supporting them. To make their work most effective, ] however, they earnestly request all wheelmen, farmers, automobilists and | other friends of the good roads move ment to write to the delegates of both | conventions urging the adoption of the good roads blanks. This is no idle re- quest and every voter of the classes named. no matter what his occupation or social status, should write these dele- gates The evidence of local demand thus made apparent to the political rep resentatives, if in sufficient volume, will make an impression that will insure the adoption of the blanks even if no other means are employed. Further, the league asks that all bicycle clubs, farm CTS organizations, local improvement societies and similar organizations adopt resolutions favoring the insertion of the blanks and send copies thereof to l lIlG CHulll til Ol llle HlSllNds ilploNS | ment committee, H. E. Fullerton, Long Island City l.. l. These organizations are also requested to urge their individ- ual members to write to the delegates. In support of the blanks the League of American Wheelmen expects to show some of the results of it's good roads ag- itation. A few years ago the, opponents of the movement charged the league with selfish motives in wanting better roads simply to improve cycling condi- tions. This was admitted to be true in a small way only, for the league main tained that good roads were an econom- ic necessity for all classes. It has con vinced numerous agricultural organiza- tions and thousands of farmers in all sections of the truth of the statement, and from these converts the league eX- poets to show it's allied support.
 Nor will the argument of selfshness 1 in desiring good roads obtain, for wher- ever entire highways are not obtainable the league is working for side-paths which can be built at an average cost of one hundred dollars per mile and which the wheelmen are glad to. pay for and maintain out of their own pockets. It
  ways are more desirable for cycling as well as the public welfare; hence the policy of the League of American Wheelmen to continue it's work for road improvement and even to extend the scope of it's agitation.
 In recent years the good roads work done by the national government has been upon a most miserable scale, its entire assistance being confined to an office of road inquiry attached to the de- partment of agriculture, which was al- lowed eight thousand dollars year for the expenses of its operation, previous to this year, when congress appropria- ted the sum of fourteen thousand dol lars, which will pay only the salaries and expenses connected with the office In the past, as will be the case in the future, the road experts of this office when attending road conventions or meetings, have had to have their expen- ses paid by the organizations calling them. That government officers should have to labor under such an embarrass- ment is reproach to our national gov ernment.
 The League of American Wheelmen
 
 material appropriations for highway building, and the adoption of the blanks will be a long step in the desired direc- tion. Fifty years ago, and previous, the national government was engaged In building roads on large scale, but the advent of railroads stopped progress in that direction. Since then congress has appropriated hundreds of millions of dollars in railroad and steamship subsi- dies and for river and harbor improve ments, all forms of highways, while pri- mary roads of commerce have received no attention whatever. The league wants this work resumed where 1t was left off fifty years ago, and if all wheel men, farmers, automobilists and others interested will give assistance American signs of civilization will equal those of European countries
 CYCLING NOTES.
 Wheelmen desiring to join the League of American Wheelmen should make application to Abbott Bassett, secretary Boston, Mass.
 The contract for publication of the of ficial organ of the League of American Wheelmen has been awarded to Emil
 
 number will make it's appearance during the current month
 The chairmanship of the national committee on side-paths of the League of American Wheelmen has been offered to one of the leaders of that movement, His acceptance is expected and will in sure the success of this new department in the league.
 
 The dates of the national meet of the League of American Wheelmen are July 10th to 18th. As the event has been held in August for several years past there is some confusion owing to the change and the promoters wish to cor rect the erroneous impression.
 Many papers in all sections of the country endorse the proposition of the League of American Wheelmen that a good roads plank should be inserted in the platforms of the great political par ties. Several delegates have also prom ised their support, though the requests for support were issued only last week.
 The Michigan division of the League of American Wheelmen recently defeat ed an attempt to license bicycles in De- troit. It was proposed class legislation, as other vehicles were not included. As the suggested license was one dollar the division saved the cost of a years dues to every wheelman in the city. It would have been carried without a strong organization to oppose it. How