The Wheel: Journal of Bicycling, Vol 11, No 22
Articles in this issue
- A miscellany of short cycling notes from around the country, including the upcoming six-day race in Omaha, Lowell Bicycle Club's new officers, the Brookline Cycle Club's annual party, and editorial comment on Thomas Stevens' return from his world tour and the prospects of T.J. Kirkpatrick for LAW President.
- Editor F.P. Prial asserts The Wheel's complete editorial independence from former proprietors, appeals to New York State Division members to subscribe, and argues that the L.A.W. and A.C.U. should adopt N.C.U. resolutions to reform the amateur-professional divide before the racing season opens.
- Reprints a Philadelphia Record item reporting that John A. Wells has filed an attachment in the Court of Common Pleas against L.A.W. Executive Committee members T.J. Kirkpatrick, N. Mahlon Beckwith, and John C. Gulick over $572.52 in unpaid advertising commissions for the L.A.W. Bulletin.
- Reports the five resolutions moved by Henry Sturmey (editor, The Cyclist) and seconded by W. McCandlish at a recent N.C.U. of England meeting, proposing to allow professionals club membership, regulate professional racing under amended rules, and select international teams regardless of amateur or professional status.
- Correspondent "Kid" reports on a petition to reinstate Phil Hammel to amateur ranks, the unmasked identity of the American Wheelman's "Looker On" Chicago columnist (Jack Rogers of St. Louis and Pete Peters), and Mr. Gormully's offer to finance a Chicago Bicycle Club house if members secure the land — $5,000 was raised in the first week.
- Correspondent "Bon" covers the long-delayed proposal to macadamize the Long Island North Shore road from Long Island City to Roslyn, and the coming New York Division Road book of over 200 pages covering routes from Quebec to Virginia, expected around April 1 when League renewal lists are complete.
- Correspondent "Dixey" gives a detailed account of the Aaron-Wells-Bassett dispute roiling the L.A.W., describing the proxy controversy at the Board meeting, Aaron's defence in the Bicycling World, his alleged suppression of resolutions calling for full disclosure, and the bullying cross-examination of Bassett at the Pennsylvania mass meeting.
- Reports that the Springfield Bicycle Club voted 15 to 11 against holding its celebrated annual fall tournament in 1887, citing financial risk and fatigue with running events in the manufacturers' interest; correspondents warn the decision could severely damage racing at Hartford, Lynn, and Pittsfield, especially with English champion Richard Howell expected to race Rowe, Hendee, and Crocker.
- Brief trade note that Gormully & Jeffery Mfg. Co. has purchased the Lillibridge saddle patents, plant, and name outright; the "Universally Adjustable" bifurcated-seat saddle — adjustable for front and rear height, width, and length — had large sales the previous year.
- Summarizes Violet Lorne's article in the Bicycling News on ladies' tricycles at the Stanley Show, arguing no perfect machine for women yet exists, and describing designs from Quadrant, Invincible, Singer & Co. (S.S.S. tandem), Humber & Co., Rudge & Co. (Crescents), Starley Bros. (Psycho), Pausey & Co. (Pioneer), Albone (Ivel), and Ellis & Co. (Facile).
- Brief correspondence from Pittsburgh (signed "H.E.B.") noting about 150 wheelmen in the city, W.D. Banker and Louis Shoup of the Allegheny Cyclers ordering Columbia racers for the path, and the recently organised Sewickley Valley Wheelmen's already-completed club house with twenty-five members.
- Letter from Dr. C.S. Butler, New York L.A.W. Representative, endorsing T.J. Kirkpatrick of Ohio for President, Chief-Consul H.W. Hayes of Massachusetts for Vice-President, and Chief-Consul G.R. Bidwell of New York for Executive Committee member at the upcoming St. Louis elections, with arguments for numerical over geographical distribution of offices.
- Reports the Massachusetts Bicycle Club's arrangements to welcome globe-circling cyclist Thomas Stevens, including a special banquet at Young's Hotel on February 25 with Governor Ames, Mayor O'Brien, and Colonel A.A. Pope among invited guests, and an informal club-house reception on Saturday evening for about 1,000 invitees.
- Editorial opposing the Cyclists' Touring Club's proposal (floated in its Monthly Gazette after Frank Weston's letter) to form branch associations in any foreign country with 500 or more members and forward dues to the English national treasury, comparing it to 1776-style taxation without representation.
- Survey of New York City and Brooklyn cycle dealers for the 1887 season, visiting Pope Mfg. Co. (12 Warren St.), George R. Bidwell (313 W. 58th St., Rudge and Columbia with instalment sales and locker rental), H.B. Smith Machine Co. (115 Liberty St., American Star), Schwalbach & Willdigg and Henry J. Hall Jr. (Prospect Park Plaza, Brooklyn, New Mail and Star), A.G. Spaulding & Bros. (241 Broadway, sole N.Y. Victor agents and makers of the "Youth's Premier" boy's bicycle), New York Bicycle Co. (38 Park Place, New Rapid and Quadrant, specialising in second-hand exchange), T.G. Conway & Co. (20 Warren St., Springfield Roadster), E.I. Horsman (80-82 William St., Victor and American Champion), and Ira Perego (128-130 Fulton St., L.A.W. official outfitter).
- Southern Department editorial by N.L. Collamer of Washington D.C. previewing an interview with Maryland Chief Consul J.K. Bartlett on the L.A.W. Board meeting controversy, forecasting that Maryland and Pennsylvania opposition may build a "Solid South" bloc at the St. Louis Meet over the Aaron-Bassett dispute.
- Interview with Maryland Division Chief Consul J. Kemp Bartlett Jr. in Baltimore, who argues the L.A.W.'s future depends on distributing power geographically rather than concentrating it in one locality, predicts Southern resentment will manifest at the next election, and intends to propose The Wheel's Southern Department as the Maryland Division's official organ.
- Correspondent "Chesapeake" reports on Baltimore's three cycling clubs — the Maryland Club, Baltimore Club, and the rapidly-growing Ramblers (three to thirty-six members since May, with new president H.W. Barrington) — noting generally pro-Aaron sentiment over the League dispute and the Maryland Club's upcoming election on March 14.
- Brief letter from G.R. Hubby of Fernandina, Fla., reporting that Florida's cycling season is brightening after a rainy January, with State Consul Farrell organising a party to join the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade, and Ohioan George E. Andrews enthused about riding on Florida's beach.
- Correspondent "White House" reports on the Washington Cycle Club's final winter entertainment on Feb. 17 — fifteen dances, supper with silk napkin souvenirs for ladies, and vocal music by Felix Mahoney and Kittie Thompson — the Capital Club's book party, and the District Division's special League meeting on Feb. 26.
- Correspondence from Westminster, Carroll County, MD, lamenting poor dirt roads and hilly terrain that limit the season to about seven months, but noting a club of twenty active wheelmen who plan a summer tour from Niagara down the Hudson to New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
- Correspondent "Hag." praises the Hagerstown Club's active membership, gymnasium and billiard parlour, and well-attended monthly public entertainments, and announces plans for spring races on the macadamised Cumberland and Shenandoah Valley pikes open to all visiting clubs.
- Reprinted from The Cyclist, describes the stained-glass memorial window and inscribed brass plate installed at Ripley Village Church, Surrey, honouring Herbert Liddel Cortis — champion cyclist born in Yorkshire, died at Carcoar, New South Wales — with a tribute to his pluck, prowess, and genial character.