The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
MOTORCYCLE NEWS.

MUlUkCIILE NEWS.
Last Friday, July 10. The Washington
Herald published FIRST notices Of changes
in the District trafic regulations, which
are to become effective thirty days after
date of first publication. Included In
these revised regulations Is q paragraph
affecting the operation OF motorcycles In
this city, and the Incorporation Of this
paragraph marks the elimination Of q
campaign Of education which has been
carried on for more than two years, by
the National Capital Motorcycle Club.
While the motorcyclists of other cities
were enjoying the privilege Of carrying a
passenger on their machines, In some
cases under the sane regulations, but
usually with no other restriction than the
common sense OF the operator, Washing
ton motorcyclists were hampered by
regulations which practically prohibited
a passenger being carried under any con-
ditions. These regulations caused 80 much
annoyance to out-of-town riders that
Washington was Stunned by touring mo-
torcyclists. while local riders made no
effort to comply with regulations which
were admittedly intended to prohibit a
passenger being carried on a motorcycle.
The National Capital Motorcycle Club
undertook to secure a change in the ex-
listing regulations which would give to
the motorcyclists OF Washington the
same privileges enjoyed in other cities,
and through the efforts OF its legal COM
mittee has finally succeeded in securing
the adoption Of a regulation under which
a passenger may be carried on a motor
cycle. The new regulation permits pas
senger, male or female, TO be carried on
a machine which is equipped with a
standard tandem attachment consisting
of seat, hand-hold and foot-rests and
htted with a canvas or fabric guard
covering the upper portion OF the rear
wheel OF the machine. These conditions
have been from the hrSt advocated by
the club. and a motorcycle so equipped
Is claimed to be a safe and proper We
hicle for two persons.
The National Capital Motorcycle Club
was organized in 1907. The FIRST meetings
Of the club were held at the headquar-
ters of a dealer in New York avenue
NJ. z. Mangold, who was chairman OF
the preliminary Smeeting. was later elect
ed the clubs first president. T. N.
Mudd was vice president, T. o. Wansle-
ben was secretary and treasurer. and
George Beall was captain. Other charter
members were: H. T. La Bonte. Jack
Bowie. r. W. Dewey, G. ". Wells and
W. F. Throop. The membership rapidly
club numbered about thirty members,
among whom were Lieut.. Selfridge. who
was the first of a long list OF victims
of aeroplane accidents, and w. B.
Genells, conceded to be the king-pin of
all Washington speed riders. who was
killed in a motorcycle accident in Indian
apolis in May, 1903.
One OF the early principles adopted was
that the club should be in no sense a
49, y,rgr
ciple is being carried out is shown by
the fact that the president of the club
rides a Henderson motorcycle; the vice
president. Excelsior: the secretary. Min
neapolis: the treasurer, Thor; the ser
geant-at-arms, Harley-Davidson: the
captain. Harley-Davidson: the lieutenant,
Indian.
The clubs early afiliation with the
Federation OF American Motorcyclists is
shown by its having been the second club
to affiliate. No. / club having long ago
disbanded, the National Capital club now
has the distinction Of being the Oldest
affiliated club. A portion OF the initiation
fee OF each new member is applied to the
payment Of Federation OF American Mo-
torcyclists dues for that member, and
an effort is made TO keep each member
Of the club in good standing in the ma
tional organization. The events OF the
club are conducted under sanction issued
by the Federation OF American Motor
cyclists and delegates have been sent to
the national conventions.
The first race meet conducted In the
name OF the club was held at Benning
track on Thanksgiving day. 1872, and was
considered a most successful event. An
other meet was held on May so. 1912, and
the meets have been an annual event
since that time, the latest being held
May 30 last. when the efforts OF the
club secured the appearance OF the great
est list of motorcycle and automobile
racing drivers ever seen in Washington.
Frank S. Long. Charles A. Hutchins.
and George W. Beall. who compose the
legal committee that has brought TO a
successful termination a campaign that
has extended over two years, are receiv-
ing the congratulations Of their friends
for having secured the adoption OF
sane regulation.
Seyen new applications for membership