L. A. W. Bulletin and Good Roads, Vol 27, No 15
Articles in this issue
- Reprints a Fairmont, W. Va. account of Vice-Consul W. S. Stevenson racing his wheel alongside a runaway horse on Fairmont avenue, grabbing the bridle one-handed and bringing it to a standstill before it reached the crowded lower end.
- A Scranton, Pa. miscreant hides about 200 tacks between the street-car rails to puncture cyclists' tires; local consul Fred E. Beers discovers them while picking up a stray tack, and police and wheelmen hunt the culprit.
- A dialect poem by associate editor Nixon Waterman in which an old Civil War veteran argues against war with Spain, holding that killing other men's sons is murder whether done by one man or wholesale.
- Editorial leader by Sterling Elliott contending that Americans are taking more holidays and that the bicycle, a holiday-maker for all classes, is wooing them away from overwork and the worship of the golden calf.
- Examines a claim by one A. Slade, reported in the English Cyclist, that he built Kirkpatrick Macmillan's first machine in 1838, concluding the confused recollections of the ninety-year-old man do not affect Macmillan's claim as inventor of the safety.
- Quotes Judge Marshall of the Missouri Supreme Court, addressing the Missouri Bar Association, on the lack of improved roads in the state and how good roads would enrich farmers and attract capital to Missouri.
- Describes a plan pressed by the California Cultivator for naming roads and numbering rural houses by mile-and-block, intended to bring country districts toward equality with cities and pave the way for free rural mail delivery.
- An illustrated technical essay (continuing to p.12) on the neglect and proper inflation of pneumatic tires, recommending roughly thirty-five pounds rear and a little less front pressure and warning against riding or storing tires soft.
- A reasoned defence (continuing to p.14) of the rotary crank over alternative foot-motions, rebutting the "dead centre," "full stroke" and coasting objections and concluding twenty years' experience proves rotary cranks superior.
- A signed essay by Chas. E. Duryea arguing that the long skirt is dangerous and immodest and urging women to adopt loose trousers below the knee with a long jacket as rational dress for cycling and daily wear.
- The recurring "Ad. Critic" contest, noting last week's $5 prize went to A. N. Coates of West Unity, Ohio, and offering $5, $3 and $2 for the best letters judging which advertisements in this issue are most and least effective.
- A signed poem by Joe Lincoln in which a roadside pebble and stump, weary of dull existence, fulfil their purpose by wrecking a cursing scorcher and ridding the earth of one more chump.
- A signed story by I. E. V. of St. Louis recounting a novice on a "chainless" who scorches past veteran riders, crashes into a plumber's wagon and wrecks his machine, then smiles that he need not worry because he has a guarantee.
- A technical question from S. M. Warns on whether changing gear without recutting the rear sprocket teeth loses efficiency, answered by authorities who say the difference in chain friction is negligible for any practical gearing.
- The Good Roads department, opening with "A Typical Case" raised by member No. 118,343 on how to maintain sixty miles of poor township road on a tiny budget, and including reports on the State-aid solution and southern-county experience.
- Summarizes the Ohio road-improvement bill passed by the state senate, creating a State Highway Commission and providing that improvement costs be split between state and county, funded by a one-tenth mill annual tax.
- Consolidated L.A.W. official matter listing 1897-98 officers and standing committees, division officers state by state, and division news from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Iowa, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Michigan and others, including Maryland's new Good Roads law and Pennsylvania's Erie bicycle-tax ruling.
- Chairman Albert Mott's Baltimore notices on permits, contract approvals (National Cycledrome, National Track Ass'n and others), suspensions and reinstatements, transfers to the professional class, registered handicappers, accepted National Circuit dates and stolen wheels.
- The constitutionally required state-by-state list of 734 new membership applications (total 94,199) received before publication, spanning Colorado through Wisconsin, with members invited to protest objectionable applicants within two weeks.
- The recurring readers' query column, answering members on lamp brackets usable with a brake, cleaning soiled hands with earth, and a request for makers of bicycle ambulances.