Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-14
in THE
BICYCLE WORLD

From our letter file: at renew with
great pleasure. I get more for my in.
vestment in the league than comes to
me from any other association that 1
am connected with. You may have my
dollar as long as am on top OF the
EARTH"
Some lawyers have advanced the
opinion that they do not think an ordi-
nance compelling bicycles to carry
lamps is valid. They argue that it is
class legislation, taking as their ground
the fact that the Supreme Court has
declared the bicycle a vehicle, and con-
tending that If one vehicle IS compelled
to carry a lamp all should be made to
do the same.
One Of the most unique cycle paths
in existence Is that owned and con-
struoted by the Piedmont Cycling Club.
Of Atlanta, Ga The members obtained
the right of way over hilly, wooded
piece of property in the suburbs, and
under the direction of q competent en-
gineer path was built for miles wind
Ing In and out, up hill and down dale,
none of the grades being too steep for
lady rider, and still making one of
the most beautiful runs imaginable. the
entrance and exit being only q short
distance apart.
l In estimating the status of the BIZ
cycle the figures of the manufacturers
indicate that II the sport has lost much
of the hurrah style of popularity 1t had
few years ago the number of riders
has increased. A statement of Presi-
dent Spalding. OF the American Bicycle
Company, is that the concerns in that
combination produced in 1899 900 BIZ
cycles, which is 100000 more than the
same firms turned out in 1898. These
figures tell n story that is not to be
gainsaId by any number of calamity
howlers. The plants that comprise the
American Bicycle Company have a ca
pacity for several hundred thousand
wheels more than this, and, as Presi
dent Spalding snys that he sees no
reason why the ratio Of increase should
not continue. 1t is quite likely that the
output for 1900 will be 100000 cycles.
At a meeting Of wheelmcn In Now
York recently. the statement was
made. and evidently with good foun-
dalton. that the votes OF wheelmen had
been the direct cause OF the election
OF ut least two OF the most prominent
officials in this country. The two IA
vorites of the wheclmen are Lieuten-
ant-Govcrnor Timothy T.. Woodruff. of
New York. and Mayor Carter II. Har-
rison. Of Chicago. The former wae oc-
cupyinE the minor position Of Com
missioner OF Parks before he was elect
cd to his present Office, and 1t was while
there that he secured the favor of
wheelmen by actively interesting him
self In the famous Concy Island cycle
path. He was almost unanimously
supported by wheelmen in his first run
for the Lieutenant Governorship. May
or Harrison is known wherever wheel
men congregate as one OF the most en-
thuslastic cyclists OF his city.
The most important step which the
League OF American Wheelmen has yet
taken in the work for good roads Is
about to be inaugurated. President
keenan,, OF the L. a. W., has arranged
for the early presentation to Congress
OF n bill approprating $4,000, 900 for the
construction of improved highways
throughout the United States. The
measure will be fathered by Represent
tative Graham, OF the Twenty-third
Congressional District, and every mem
Der Of the l.. a. w. throughout the
United States will give his energetic
support. President keenan, says that
Ic lctlS dSSulcu Ol TIC ucftIly CO-Opcla-
ton of the farmers all over the coun-
try in securing the passage of n mea-
sure SO manifestly in their interests.
In order to make the work of agita-
tion more eflicacious the league has FOR
the last three years had as the chair
man OF its Highway Improvement
Committee Otto Dorncr, of Milwaukee,
who has earned the reputation or be-
ing the best Informed advocate Of good
roads In the United States;-a and who
because OF his Western location, has
been in the best position to advance the
movement where 1T is most needed. The
practical result OF the work that has
been done by the league, principally
through this committee, Is now shown
in a series of conventions which really
mark q most important advancement In
the agitation. These conventions have
been held in four States and were con-
Quoted on the most systematic princi-
pies, and the work OF their organiza-
tion is directly and Indirectly tracea-
BILE to the work of the League OF Amer
lean Wheelmen. the pioneers Of the
movement. There were discussions and
treatses on the subject of road build
Ing and the various phases OF the eco
nomical value of good highways, and
at each one there was q practical DEM
onstration OF scientific road building,
under the supervision OF Prof. o. G..
Harrison. the government road expert.